[1] It is thought C. pholidota is an opportunistic feeder, taking live prey or scavenging for food.

[1] Within the Hawaiian Islands, Calliasamata pholidota is known to occur in mid-to high salinity anchialine pools.

C. pholidota has a disjunct, Indo-Pacific distribution, being reported from the Red Sea-Sinai Peninsula, Funafuti Atoll, and the Hawaiian Islands of Maui and Hawaii.

At Lua o Palahemo, it co-occurs with three other candidate species of anchialine pool shrimp, Antecaridina lauensis, Procaris hawaiana, and Vetericaris chaceorum.

Like other anchialine pool shrimp species, it is believed that this species inhabits an extensive network of water-filled interstitial spaces leading to and from the actual pool.