Small crab bites Crown of Thorns

You might have encountered this tiny crab, Trapezia sp. on a night dive but never thought more of it as it is small and looks rather inocuous. This critter however, protects coral from being preyed upon by crown of thorns sea stars by breaking off their spines and nipping at their tube feet, discouraging the echinoderm from feeding on the crabs' home coral.

This individual was photographed on Hantu Kecil's North-facing reef on a night dive. They are most often spotted hiding in the nooks and convolutions of pocipollorid coral.