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Crustaceans

Flame Box Crab

Calappa flammea

Also known as: Box Crab, Flamed Box Crab, Flame Streaked Box Crab, Shame-faced Crab

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Adult
@JolineCuracao · Curacao, Curaçao · April 20181 / 3
01

Overview

Found on sandy bottoms, where they can burrow into the sand for protection, over coral and rocky reefs.

Box crab are named because of the way they can tuck their legs into their bodies giving the appearance of a neat box. Shame-faced is from the way their claws fold in in front of their face, as if hiding it in shame.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
blotcheslinesspots
Behaviour
buries in sand

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found on sandy bottoms, where they can burrow into the sand for protection, over coral and rocky reefs.

RANGE
04

Adult photos 3

05

Discussion 1

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1 comment

  • fishx6Top Contributor· 16 Jan 2019

    The carapace of this crab is rounded in front, almost straight behind. The hind margins form a thin roof over the legs, partially covering them. The large claws are flattened, triangular, with a crest above, and the fingers are strongly bent downwards. The color is grayish with markings of purplish-brown on the carapace and bandings on the legs. (edit) Ref: http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=120

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Taxonomy

  1. kingdomAnimalia
  2. phylumArthropoda
  3. classMalacostraca
  4. orderDecapoda
  5. familyCalappidae
  6. genusCalappa
  7. speciesCalappa flammea (Herbst, 1794)

SourcesWoRMS

06

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