The glaucothoe is a transitional stage between the larval and juvenile stages of king crabs. It can swim like the larvae, but has claws, and prefers to find structurally complex habitat in which to settle. It lacks functional mouthparts or digestive apparatus so does not feed for 3 to 4 weeks, until molting to the juvenile stage. Image courtesy of Exploring Alaska's Seamounts 2002, NOAA/OER.
