Allogalathea elegans,Crinoid Squat Lobster
Allogalathea elegans (known as the feather star squat lobster, crinoid squat lobster or elegant squat lobster) is a species of jumping crab sometimes kept in marine aquariums. This species was first described in 1848 by Adams and White.
Synonyms:
- Galathea deflexifrons Haswell, 1882
- Galathea elegans Adams & White, 1848
- Galathea grandirostris Stimpson, 1858
- Galathea longirostris Dana, 1852
- Galathea longirostris Yokoya, 1936
Description
The head thorax of Allogalathea elegans is drop-shaped. The end of the body corresponds to the animal’s triangular rostrum, with stalked eyes on either side. The chelipeds or first pair of legs are tongued and are longer than the animal’s body. The last pair of legs is wasted. The body and mainly the legs are covered with tiny hairs.
Its size depends on its sex. Females are usually larger than males, but never grow larger than 2 cm.
Its coloration is variable and matches the colors of its host, but not systematic. It can be uniform and varied from dark red, blackish purple, orange or brown. But generally the animals observed have longitudinal stripes whose thickness, number and hue vary.
Distribution
Allogalathea elegans lives in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area, Red Sea included.
Habitat
Allogalathea elegans is a commensal species that lives with crinoids in which it receives protection and ideal support for its diet. They can live outside their host, but their life expectancy will be shorter because they are not protected from predators.
Diet
Allogalathea elegans feeds off plankton while taking advantage of its host who has the same diet and who always positions in the best catchment areas for the plankton to feed.
Behavior
Allogalathea elegans lives in a pair with their host. Observation is not always easy because the animal exposes itself in the arms of the crinoid when both are feeding, or it hides at the level of its host’s clawed foot.
The aquarium
In an aquarium, Allogalathea elegans requires a water temperature of 77-79°F (25-26°C), a pH of 8.1-8.3 and a salinity of 1.020-1.024. Small crevices in rocks act as hiding places for these shy crustaceans. Allogalathea elegans prefers thawed food, but also eats small freeze-dried items.
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