Crustaceans

As you would expect there are many types of crustaceans living in our waters and along the shore line, so we will restrict ourselves here to the more unusual (or amusing) species.

The common feature of crustaceans is that they have an external skeleton (exoskeleton) which means that they have to moult in order to grow, leaving them temporarily vulnerable. Typically they have 10 legs, the front pair being adapted into claws or pincers.

Arrow crab

These funny-looking bright red, orange and yellow pointy-headed creatures are abundant in our waters and although tiny compared to humans they are quite fearless. They move quickly on their 8 legs, resembling a daddy-long-legs. If you get too close they will adopt an aggressive stance, waving their pincers at you. Towards other marine creatures, even their own kind, they are similarly aggressive and territorial to the extent that it is known amongst aquarium owners that you can’t keep more than one per aquarium. They feed on small creatures such as worms. In Tenerife they are frequently found alongside pink anemones.

Canary Island lobster
This small red lobster is native to the Canary Islands where it is quite common, especially in overhead environments with rocky or rocky-sandy bottoms.

Painted shiny lobster
This very decorative lobster is again common in our waters although on the critically endangered list. Its spotted back appears decorated with tiny pearls whilst its blue tail looks more fitting for a bird than a lobster!

Rock lobster
A fellow member of the critically endangered club, this brown lobster with tiny red dots and slashes of red visible at the joints of its skeleton favours rocky bottoms in sheltered spots such as caves and crevices.