HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Posted: **Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:08 am**

When I first posted pics of my Muntz, people couldn't agree on the species. Coenobita compressus and C. purpureus were mentioned. Muntz dug down within a day so I really couldn't get any better shots. Today he's resurfaced missing a limb and I think some of you were right on suggesting Coenobita purpureus.

Here's some more pics to discuss

Posted: **Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:31 am**

Beautiful crabbie! I would probably say that that is a C. purpureus. He doesn't look like an E to me. He's adorable! Where did you find him?

Posted: **Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:37 am**

I could be totally wrong here, so someone correct me if I am, but I don't believe that C. Purpureus have stitch marks on their BPs. Your crab clearly does. I would have to guess that the adorable Muntz is really a blueish-purple ruggie, minus the eye smudges.

Posted: **Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:45 am**

*Kathy* wrote: I would have to guess that the adorable Muntz is really a blueish-purple ruggie, minus the eye smudges.

That was my first thought. I always go and second guess myself though. I'm glad someone with some experience thought the same thing. makes me feel a little better.

And honestly, I don't care what kind of crabbie it is, he's darn cute!

Posted: **Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:32 pm**

MrsCrab wrote:And honestly, I don't care what kind of crabbie it is, he's darn cute!

Agreed

Would love to hear from the people who discussed him in my other thread!

Posted: **Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:45 pm**

Purpureus DO have stitch marks. Also, the have distinctive orange joints, just as the pictured crab does.

Posted: **Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:30 am**

It might be helpful for identification to have a picture of Muntz's BP on here.
At anyrate he is a beauty of a crab!!

Posted: **Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:05 pm**

The Coenobita purpureus - DO have stitchmarks!

I compared it to: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ga ... m=31&pos=1

I'm going to have to say you have a Coenobita purpureus -!

Posted: **Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:33 am**

SunnyKrab wrote:It might be helpful for identification to have a picture of Muntz's BP on here.
At anyrate he is a beauty of a crab!!

I'll try to that shot of his BP, but after a lot of comparing I'm quite confident we're talking purpureus here

Posted: **Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:12 am**

beautiful, unique crab! have you thought of pm'ing tony_coenibta (i know i butchered the spelling), to get his opinion? he has seen lots of the c. purpeous.

Caroline

Posted: **Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:28 am**

Tony confirmed C. purpureus!

Thanks everyone for your input!

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Muntz's species questioned, again..

Muntz's species questioned, again..