Charybdis granulata and Chelonibia patula
This swimmer crab was found in a pile of rough fish at a fishing port. There are acorn barnacles of different sizes attached to its carapace, chelipeds, and even walking legs. This type of barnacle is specialized for attaching to living organisms. Whales, sea turtles, lobsters and crabs, and sea snail shells are among its favorite hosts. In this way, it is able to follow its hosts everywhere, avoiding adverse environments and expanding its distribution. However, for these hosts, these uninvited guests can be a bit annoying. Male whales purposely allow these barnacles to grow on their body or flippers, as they increase the destructive effect of attacks against rivals for a mate. (Anyone who has ever fallen on a barnacle covered reef at the beach will understand this.) Other organisms, if able, remove them before they become firmly attached. This swimmer crab must have been quite weak, as it allowed acorn barnacles to attach all over its body, with some large individuals on its carapace, in positions that are difficult to reach with its legs. Moreover, this crab has grown to its maximum size, meaning that it will no longer shed its shell and grow a new one. All it can do is carry these living scabs for the rest of its life.
