DSC_4014 Pea crab (Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae) juvenile female, inside its Green-lipped mussel host. Pea crabs are completely reliant on their hosts - usually mussels - for shelter and food. They steal filtered food from the mussel, damaging it's gills. Brighton Beach
DSC_7410 Pea crab (Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae) hard-shelled adult male, inside its Green-lipped mussel host. Pea crabs are completely reliant on their hosts - usually mussels - for shelter and food. They steal filtered food from the mussel, damaging it's gills. Brighton Beach
DSC_7426 Pea crab (Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae) hard-shelled adult male, outside its Green-lipped mussel host. Pea crabs are completely reliant on their hosts - usually mussels - for shelter and food. They steal filtered food from the mussel, damaging it's gills. Brighton Beach
