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| crustaceans text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Superfamily Ocypodoidea > Genus Uca |
| Orange
fiddler crab Uca vocans Family Ocypodidae updated May 09 Where seen? This tiny crab with a 'pimply' oversized pincer is commonly seen on our natural undisturbed shores, usually on softer, muddier areas more exposed to wave action than other fiddler crabs. This includes the bottom of swimming lagoons, shores near large boulders. Features: Body width 2-3cm. The male fiddler crab's enlarged pincer has a bumpy outer face. The tips of the pincers are flattened and sabre-like. The immobile lower finger is orange or yellow and has a long groove on the outside. Body colours and patterns vary: some greenish, others greyish. Their burrows can be half a metre deep! Sometimes mistaken for the Porcelain fiddler crab (Uca annulipes). More on how to tell apart the fiddler crabs commonly seen on our shores. |
 Pincer with long groove on the outside, lower portion and flattened tips. Pulau Hantu, May 09 |
 From the back. Chek Jawa, Oct 04 |
 From the front. |
 Groove on the inside of the pincer. Pulau Ubin, May 08 |
Orange fiddler crabs on Singapore shores
 Pincer colours may vary. Chek Jawa, Feb 02 |
 Pulau Ubin, Feb 05 |
 Pulau Ubin, May 08 |
 Different coloured backs. Pulau Ubin, May 08 |
 Pulau Ubin, May 08 |
 Pasir Ris, Jun 09 |
 Females have two small pincers Pulau Ubin, May 08 |
 Males may be 'right' or 'left' handed. Pulau Ubin, Jan 04 |
 Males may be 'right' or 'left' handed. Pulau Ubin, May 08 |
video clips and more photos of orange fiddler crabs on Singapore shores
northern shores
southern shores part 1 | part 2
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References
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