crabs text index | photo index
Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Portunidae
Purple-legged swimming crab
Charybdis sp.
Family Portunidae
updated Oct 08

Where seen? This swimming crab with purple legs is commonly seen on our Northern shores. Especially at night.

Features: Body width 5-7cm. Body somewhat fan-shaped with 6 spines on the sides. Legs are purple, pincers orange claws with dark tips. Eyes not as wide apart as the Eyes-wide-apart swimming crab's (Thalamita spinimana).



Pulau Sekudu, Jun 05

Purple-legged swimming crabs on Singapore shores


Mating crabs.
Pulau Sekudu, May 04

Tuas, Apr 05

East Coast, Jun 06


Changi, Aug 08

East Coast, Aug 09

more photos of purple-legged swimming crabs on Singapore shores

Links References
  • Ng, Peter K. L. and Daniele Guinot and Peter J. F. Davie, 2008. Systema Brachyurorum: Part 1. An annotated checklist of extant Brachyuran crabs of the world. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. Supplement No. 17, 31 Jan 2008. 286 pp. (Online PDF on the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology website).
  • Lim, S., P. Ng, L. Tan, & W. Y. Chin, 1994. Rhythm of the Sea: The Life and Times of Labrador Beach. Division of Biology, School of Science, Nanyang Technological University & Department of Zoology, the National University of Singapore. 160 pp.
www.flickr.com
FREE photos of
crabs.
Make your own badge here.
links | references | about | email Ria
Spot errors? Have a question? Want to share your sightings? email Ria I'll be glad to hear from you!
wildfactsheets website©ria tan 2008