The Boxing Crab: Is He the Ultimate Pugilist?

Nature never ceases to amaze. And technology has brought photography into being able to record a new world, that of the micro-organisms, in absorbing detail, on our updated TV screens.
Despite their formidible claws, crabs- especially the smaller species - are seen as tasty and available prey by a whole host of fish, turtles, diving birds and man, as well as their own larger cousins.
We are all familiar with some of the ruses employed by the smart little hermit crabs; others use camoflage such as seaweed; still more occupy holes and tunnels in the coral reefs to hide in during the night when predation is at its height.
But a tiny crab which can see off a large predatory fish with a straight left or a roundhouse right...? Well, evolution, you've found a trick here alright!
The clever crab has found a mutual partner in his ability to render his knock-out punches. He scampers around the reef until he can prise two equal sized sea anemones from their hold on the coral. These he grasps firmly, one in each claw, just like white or pale red boxing gloves! Like it or loathe it, the captives are now part of the crab's defences.
As predator fish, etc., take an anticipatory sniff of sweet crab meat, POW, SMACK, WALLOP!!! Dancing like Ali in his prime, the crab lands punches from his anemone-tipped claws; the venomous stings from his partners, rather than the defender's punching power, causing the predator to quickly look elsewhere for an easier snack.
It is thought by scientists that the anemones also gain as they are exposed to more chances for food as the crab takes them around the reef. (mutualism).
The anemone "fists" are certainly prized; as in the case of "house theft" by hermit crabs, other crabs often steal one of the anemones from a brother. The clever looser then has to drop the remaining anemone on the reef, rip it in half and grab the two pieces again! (as does the thief as well with his purloined "glove"). As anemones can suffer this and both halves will grow again, there is no real problem, except his boxing gloves have shrunk for a while.
There have been ten members of the genus (Lybia) discovered so far. The boxing variety are the family (Xanthidae). Some more pacifistic member crabs merely have sponges stuck to their claws. Perhaps they are the weaker sort who try to talk their way out of a fight?
Just three species of sea anemone have so far been co-opted as venomous punchers.

Just three species of sea anenome have so far been co-opted as venomous punchers. They are members of the Actiniaria, these beautiful "flowers of the sea," so named after the anemone flowers found on earth, are numerous and composed of more than 40 families.
They are not plants but related to corals and the jellyfish. Pretty they may be, but are predators in their own right, using the the venomous stings employed by crabs, etc., to snare their own prey.
Sea Anemones have symbiotic relationships with many marine creatures as well as our crabs. They have also become popular in sea aquariums over recent years, to the extent the more striking individuals are becoming decimated in several areas.

Afterword...This retired journalist has written quite a few articles about Nature's marvels. But early this year, a sickness followed by an accident saw me in hospital for six weeks, followed by 5 months of rehab. where I have learned to walk over again as well as look after this ageing body alone once more. This humble piece is my first attempt to write an article this year.