Banded clinging crab (Mithraculus cinctimanus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Arthropoda · Class: Malacostraca · Order: Decapoda · Family: Mithracidae · Genus: Mithraculus.

Accepted name: Mithraculus cinctimanus · Authority: Stimpson, 1860 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 421986.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Mithrax (Mithraculus) commensalis Manning, 1970; Mithrax affinis Desbonne <i>in</i> Desbonne & Schramm, 1867.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=421986 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Mithraculus cinctimanus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Depth range: 0–4 m · Habitat zone: benthic.

SeaLifeBase notes: Dwells in reef and seagrass habitats in Belize. Forms obligate associations with sea anemones (Ref. 128695). Epibiotic.

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 27090) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Mithraculus-cinctimanus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

468 georeferenced occurrence records for Mithraculus cinctimanus are published through GBIF from 25 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 59 distinct locations from a sample of 468 records, omitting 20 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Martinique (88); Guadeloupe (82); Mexico (51); Panama (38); United States of America (37); Jamaica (36); Curaçao (26); Cayman Islands (20); Belize (18); Cuba (15); Bahamas (12); Honduras (8); Virgin Islands (U.S.) (7); Saint Martin (French part) (6); Puerto Rico (6).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Gulf of Mexico; Tobago; Dominican Exclusive Economic Zone; Martinican Exclusive Economic Zone; Barbuda; Bonaire Exclusive Economic Zone; Antigua; Curaçaoan Exclusive Economic Zone; Saint Thomas; Lesser Antilles; Estado Nueva Esparta; Los Roques, Islas; Saint Martin; Guadeloupean Exclusive Economic Zone; Barbados Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2226761) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2226761&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=421986 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Mithraculus cinctimanus is a small crab with an oval carapace slightly longer than it is wide. The front third is slightly hairy and the surface of the hind two thirds is roughened by small tubercles. The front edge has several blunt spines. The colour of the carapace is variable often being olive brown with several large creamy patches. The legs have bands of the same colours and their outer segments are hairy. The fingers of the chelae do not completely close and have rounded tips. An adult Mithraculus cinctimanus is about 22 mm long.

Mithraculus cinctimanus is found in the Caribbean region its range including Florida, the West Indies, Curaçao, Colombia and Venezuela.

Mithraculus cinctimanus feeds on filamentous green algae growing on rocks. Young crabs are often found living on the surface of the mushroom coral Ricordea florida. At this stage of their lives, the carapace is often covered with felt-like red algae which provides the crab with camouflage.

Mithraculus cinctimanus is usually found living commensally with a sponge, coral or a sea anemone. The host is often the sun sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus or in deeper water, the anemone Lebrunia danae. On this latter anemone, Mithraculus cinctimanus is part of an assemblage of commensal invertebrates each occupying its own characteristic position. It is found hiding under the rim of extended pseudotentacles and when these are retracted, it also retreats leaving only its chelae, eyes and the front part of its head exposed. It seldom moves away from the anemone and seems to be immune to the stings produced by its host's nematocysts.

Source: Wikipedia: Mithraculus cinctimanus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraculus_cinctimanus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.