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| crabs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Portunidae |
| Mud
crab Scylla sp. Family Portunidae updated Jan 09 Where seen? This enormous crabs is among our favourite seafood. It is seldom seen and is usually hidden in its burrow. Sometimes seen on our Northern shores among seagrasses. Features: Body width to about 20cm. Mud crabs belong to the same family as swimming crabs and their last pair of legs are paddle-shaped. But because they are such large, heavy crabs, they don't use these legs to swim. Instead, the legs are used like spades to burrow with. Body somewhat fan-shaped with 9 spines on the sides but the last tooth is not enlarged as it is in flower crabs. Unlike flower crabs, mud crabs are able to stay out of water for some time. They come in various colours ranging from dark green (mostly those from mangroves) to bluish green (those found in open waters). What does it eat? This crab is a predator and will eat any animal that it can catch. It appears to prefer snails and clams. Role in the ecosystem: As predators, these crabs control the population of their prey and thus the natural balance in the ecosystem. In turn, they are eaten by animals higher up in the food chain. Human uses: These crabs are edible and a favourite dish for many Singaporeans. They are traditionally caught by hooking them out of their burrows with long iron rods. There are three species of mud crabs found in Singapore. The Green mud crab (S. paramamosain) body width to about 15cm, the Orange mud crab (S. olivacea) to about 18cm, and Purple mud crab (S. tanquebarica) to about 20cm. The Mud crab we often eat at restaurants are actually from the Giant mud crab (Scylla serrata) which can grow to about 28cm. These come from Sri Lanka (thus sometimes also called the Sri Lankan crab). This crab is not found in Singapore. |
 Changi, Jul 07   |
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 Most people know this crab as Chilli crab! |
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Mud crabs on Singapore shores
 Dead specimen Changi, May 06 |
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 Chek Jawa, Jan 09 |
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 Pulau Pawai, Dec 09 |
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 Dead specimen Kranji, Dec 08 |
Links
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The Nature Society (Singapore), Singapore. 343 pp.|
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