Ecology

 
The specimen studied has been collected from live rock at the Heron Island Reef. It was transported and kept at an aquarium at The University of Queensland, Brisbane.

Hyastenus sp. is found in subtidal zones, which are commonly submerged and rarely exposed. It generally lives near the bottom, around mussel clumps in muddy habitats. It is also found in sheltered places covered by rocks on coral reefs.

On Heron Island, these animals are most likely to be found in the rubble zone, outside the reef crest.