pea crab

noun

1. any of several tiny crabs of the family Pinnotheridae, the female of which lives as a commensal in the shells of bivalve mollusks.

pea crab

noun

1. any of various globular soft-bodied crabs of the genus Pinnotheres and related genera that live commensally in the mantles of certain bivalves

Word History and Origins

Origin of pea crab¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

But I was going to show you this little pea-crab, Pinnotheres.

From Project Gutenberg

Inquiline, in′kwi-lin, adj. living in the abode of another, as a pea-crab in an oyster-shell.

From Project Gutenberg

Whether the pea crab lives at the expense of the mollusk, and sucks its juices, is uncertain.

From Project Gutenberg

When the pea-crab discovers a supply of food he brings it to his friend, the Pinna, to be divided equally.

From Project Gutenberg