Cryptic teardrop crab molt

[louisianadiver]

Hey everybody. I posted one of these pics earlier this week, but I've just now realized what it is. I thought these were two crabs, but while wondering about how pristine the shell on the large crab on the left is (cryptics are decorators), I now see that it has just molted from the shell on the right. This isn't the first time I've inadvertently captured behavior in macro shots. I'm posting the photo again plus another view where the split in the back of the molted shell is more clear (I know, it doesn't take much to get me excited).

Clay

 

[Sasquatch]

Nice macro work. I'm curious as to the scale I'm seeing here and what is the item the crab is on?

Sea ya!

 

[louisianadiver]

Nice macro work. I'm curious as to the scale I'm seeing here and what is the item the crab is on?

Sea ya!

The scale is less than 1 inch. The crab is on fire coral, where they're often seen at night. The scale is small enough to see the fine filaments with nematocysts on the fire coral. The crab itself is tiny.

 

[RichKirby]

That is SWEET!!

 

[Tortuga Roja]

I thought that 2nd crab was kinda ugly! :lol:

Very well done behavior shot even if was by accident. I have lots of accidentals.

Colors and composition on that 1st shot are really, really nice.