About Dardanus calidus (Risso, 1827)
Dardanus calidus can reach a length of 12 centimeters (4.7 inches). It occupies large gastropod shells, such as those from Tonna galea and Charonia species, and often decorates these shells with one or more individuals of the sea anemone species Calliactis parasitica. The association between Dardanus calidus and this sea anemone is truly symbiotic: the anemone gets scraps of food from the hermit crab, while the crab gains protection from predators, which are deterred by the anemone's stinging tentacles. Dardanus calidus is a scavenger that feeds on decaying matter from the seabed. While it has been collected from depths greater than 100 meters (330 feet), it is more commonly found in shallower water.
