It carries a small sea anemone, usually Bunodeopsis spp. or Triactis producta, in each claw. If attacked by a potential predator, it will threaten the aggressor with an anemone, the tentacles of which are well armed with cnidocytes (stinging cells). If it loses one or both anemones, it may attempt to steal one from another Lybia crab in the tank. Once it has one anemone, it will force it to split into two.

*May accidentally sting corals with the anemones.

*Can harm smaller, soft invertebrates like young pistol shrimp or freshly molted small invertebrates if in close quarters.