Asian Paddle Crab

Found on fine, firm, mud and sand substrates, in estuaries, over rocky in-shore and off-shore reefs and in tide-pools.

This is an invasive crab that has turned up in New Zealand as in many fish this maybe from ship ballast but also from tea chests that these crabs will inhabit.

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.