Camposcia retusa (Commonly known as Decorator Crab)
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Crustacea
Order Decapoda
Suborder Pleocyemata
Infraorder Heterotremata
Superfamily Majoidea
Family Majidae
Subfamily Inachinae
Genus Camposcia
Species Camposcia retusa


Body width 3-6cm. Body tear-drop shaped with a pointed head. Often all you can see is its tiny eyes and very short antennae.

This crab snips off bits of sponges and seaweed or selects suitable shells and debris. These are then stuck firmly onto the fine, hooked hairs which densely cover its body and legs and thus act like the 'velcro' after which it is named. Some seem to stick on a protruding 'head gear' on their heads.

These 'decorations' not only camouflage the crab, but the distasteful nature of some sponges might also give predators second thoughts about taking a bite out of the crab. The attached sponges and algae often continue to grow. Tiny animals might settle on the sponges.


Credit: http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/majoidea/retusa.htm