Crabs

The work of a curious fellow
   
Crabs hunt for food by scent mostly. This one came all the way over the hill in the background following a zig-zag trail and after falling off that little cliff, begins to home in on the prize. When it finally sights the fish head it gets quite excited.
Crab captures mackerel head
Crab captures mackerel head
This individual pauses to look at the camera, then seems to decide that we are not interesting enough to divert it from its mission of looking under a rock. I suspect crabs find bits of food that way.
Crab Lifts Rock
Crab Lifts Rock
Crabs are inquisitive. That probably is a survival trait. Being scavengers, they must investigate any unusual object as a possible source of food. More often than not the object cannot eat them. This individual actually rides the ROV for a while.
Crab Rides Camera ROV
Crab Rides Camera ROV
Crabs are also competitive. This pair come from somewhere behind the camera and race to the bait bag. Once they determine that it is big enough for both they seem willing to share.
Crabs race to bait bag
Crabs race to bait bag
Crabs and lobsters also compete. You would think that the lobster with its size advantage might intimidate the crab, but as you will see, the crab can exploit a weakness in the lobster. Lobsters have ticklish tails.
Crab tickles lobster's tail
Crab tickles lobster's tail
This dancing crab pauses to take a look at the camera and then goes back to its dance. I suspect that this behavior, which we see repeatedly is some sort of shell maintenance job the crab is doing, scraping the shell against a rock.
Dancing crab
Dancing crab
Here is another individual that gives the camera a close inspection. It gives us a good chance the see some of the crabs working parts up close.
Crab closeup
Crab closeup
As well as being inquisitive, crabs can be aggressive. They are pretty much fearless and may defend their space even from a machine that is many times their size.
Crab attack
Crab attack
Crab are often looking under things. This one lifts a shell and a startled eel darts out and scoots under the kelp.
Crab discovers eel
Crab discovers eel