Fauna
Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2226542

Peron's Camouflage Crab

Notomithrax peronii

Also known as Peron's Decorator Crab, Southern Decorator Crab

Peron's camouflage crabs actively decorate their spiny carapaces with living seaweeds, sponges, and bryozoans hooked onto specialized Velcro-like setae. Inhabiting shallow subtidal reefs and rock pools across southern Australia and New Zealand, they blend seamlessly into the surrounding macroalgal canopy. When moving to a new backdrop with different plant growth, individuals will strip off old camouflage and redecorate with local flora to remain hidden from visual predators.

CamouflageMarineCrustacean
Peron's Camouflage Crab reference
Licensed reference(c) Auckland Museum, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Brown Algae
  • Small Polychaetes
  • Bryozoans
Predators
  • Octopus
  • Snapper
  • Wobbegong Shark
ThreatsCoastal runoff, habitat degradation, and marine heatwaves
HabitatsTemperate rocky reefs, kelp forests, and intertidal rock pools
Life span3–5 years
Classification
  1. FamilyMajidae
  2. SpeciesNotomithrax peronii
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Pincers can deliver a sharp defensive pinch if handled; observe undisturbed in rock pools.
Responsible observation
  • Scan Still Rocks: Look closely at clumps of moving seaweed in tide pools to spot their legs.
  • Do Not Pluck: Avoid peeling off attached algae, as removing camouflage damages their protection.
Related species
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