Distribution: Common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Known from East Africa, Red Sea to Australia, Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Japan and the Hawaiian Islands. In Australia records from the North West Shelf region of Western Australia, the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef in Queensland south to northern New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Frequents areas of inshore and offshore reef, coral bottoms on the outer reef slope, subtidal to at least 20 m depth.

Additional Notes: Flattened carapace and claws allow this species to inhabit shells with narrow apertures, often found in cone shells. Bright yellow and red banding, pincers tipped in black and white body parts help identify this species. Its bright colouration makes it a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts. Feeds on live and dead organisms, algae and detritus and may grow to 40 mm total length, with a shield length of from 4 – 12 mm.

References: Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific, Terrence M. Gosliner, David W. Behrens and Gary C. Williams, Sea Challengers Publication, Monterey, California. 1996. p.225.

Reef Creature Identification, Tropical Pacific. Paul Humann, Ned DeLoach, New World Publications Inc, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, 2012 edition. p.161.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Ciliopagurus+strigatus. Accessed 13/11/2018.

Poupin J. and M. Juncker, 2010 – A guide to the decapod crustaceans of the South Pacific. Published by CRISP and SPC, Noumea, New Caledonia, 320 pp., 366 photographs.  Pp.226-7.