Red-Spotted Guard Crab (Trapezia tigrina)

Also known as Brachyura Crab, Commensal Crab, Coral Crab, Guard Crab, Red-spotted Coral Crab, Swimmer Crab, Tiger Coral Crab, True Crab

Description

Also known as Brachyura Crab, Commensal Crab, Coral Crab, Guard Crab, Red-spotted Coral Crab, Swimmer Crab, Tiger Coral Crab, True Crab.

Found singly, or in pairs, living between the finger-like branches, of Acropora/Pocillopora corals, defending the corals from predators, over coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on coral mucus and tissue.
Length - 1.5cm
Depth - 1-90m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Coral Crabs are able to defend their territory from the Crown-of-Thorns Seastar!

Brachyura crabs are considered true crabs, they have a short abdomen, 4 walking legs and a pair of clawed arms at the front.
Many thousands of species live worldwide in sea water, fresh water and on land. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapezia

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