Painted Porcelain Crab

At first glance, the painted porcelain crab may seem very vulnerable due to its super small size. But this tiny crab is actually quite well-protected from predators because it hides in between the fronds of the spiky sea pen, which is another animal that lives in the intertidal zone!

In return for sheltering this cute crab, the spiky sea pen gains valuable nutrients from the waste produced by the crab. This kind of relationship, where both parties benefit from each other, is known as a mutualism! So, the next time you see a sea pen on the shore, take a closer look at it! You might just see some painted porcelain crabs or other animals living in it!