The key characteristics that distinguish the Indonesian hermit crab from others are:
•Massive claw
•No hair on inside of left claw
•Extralong second pair of antenna
•Eyes are very round
•Eye stalks range in colour from brown to black and are darker then body colour.
Here are some pictures to help you identify your hermit crab as Coenbita brevimanus:
The best distinguishing characteristic of the Indonesian hermit crab is it's massive claw! Image below:
Here is an outline of the shape of the claw to help identify:
Another way to identify your hermit crab as an Indonesian hermit crab if it is male is by looking at the male reproductive organ. This however can only be done when the crab is out of it's shell. The organ can be found at the base of the fifth pair of legs. Below is an image of what the Indonesian hermit crab reproductive organs look like:
THE PINK INDONESIAN HERMIT CRAB
There is a pink variation of the Indonesian hermit crab known as the "pink Indonesian hermit crab. This variation has a body that is entirely pink! Instead of the normal lilac claw and brown body the entire crab is a solid pink colour.
Other then the colour difference they are just like regular Indonesian hermit crabs though.
THE ARMORED INDONESIAN HERMIT CRAB
There is also a variation of this species known as the "armored Indonesian hermit crab" that has a tougher exoskeleton. You can identify your crab as this variation if it has white spots on it's big pincher.
If you do have an armored Indonesian hermit crab be sure to offer it very tiny shells as they like to wear thick shells that only cover their body passed the third pair of walking legs. Therefore they should not be able to fully withdraw in their shell like most other hermit crabs.
