Previous species

Species: Odontodactylus havanensis

Next species

Click on any image to see an enlargement. All photos © 2005 Roy Caldwell.

Common name: None

Functional type: Smasher

Range: Caribbean, common off Florida Keys

Habitat: Rubbly sand

Depth: 15–50 m; common from 20–40 m

Home: Simple u-shaped burrow constructed of rubble and gravel

Diet: Generalist; small crustaceans, especially crabs and hermits, small gastropods

Size: 20–70 mm

Color: Mottled brown with white and red raptorial appendages, pink uropods

Distinguishing Characters: A red spot on the medial edge of the antennal scale

Activity: Diurnal, closes at night

Aquarium Requirements:

Temperature: 23–28° C

Salinity: 34–35 PSU

Cohabitants: Large gastropods, echinoderms

Aquarium size (adult): 80 l

Aquarium substrate: Sand and gravel with pieces of LR

Suitability for Aquarium: Fair; can’t tolerate changing parameters or low oxygen; active and interactive

Availability: Occasionally from Florida suppliers

Back to the Species Directory
External Anatomy and Explanatory Notes