Vachon's Hermit Crab

Calcinus vachoni

Vachon's Hermit Crab is a reef-associated species found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It inhabits hard bottoms of sublittoral coral and rock reefs, typically at depths ranging from the surface down to 30 meters. This hermit crab is known for its association with various species of the coral genus Pocillopora, which it uses as a habitat. It occupies the shells of several gastropod species, including those from the genera Drupa, Drupella, Conus, Mitra, Latira, Cymatium, Coralliophila, and Cronia. The reproductive behavior of Vachon's Hermit Crab involves a precopulatory courtship ritual, which is common among decapods. This ritual relies on olfactory and tactile cues, and the species typically engages in indirect sperm transfer. As a member of the order Decapoda, Vachon's Hermit Crab is mostly gonochoric, meaning individuals are either male or female. Divers encountering Vachon's Hermit Crab can expect to find it on coral and rock reefs, where it may be seen moving slowly across the substrate. The species is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated for conservation status by the IUCN, CITES, or CMS.