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| crabs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Portunidae |
| Red
swimming crab Thalamita spinimana Family Portunidae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This bright red swimming crab is commonly seen on many of our shores, especially near reefs and coral rubble. It is particularly active at night. It can be quite fierce and give a good pinch to inquisitive fingers. Don't handle crabs! Features: Body width 5-7cm. Body rectangular, eyes wide apart. With 5 spines on the sides. According to SeaLifeBase, it is easily distinguished by its spiny palm and the bright red colour. Body and pincers plain bright orange or red, some with a short thin white vertical line between the eyes. Sometimes legs are blue. In some, the body appears to have rows of tiny hairs that trap sediments and sand. This is probably why the crab often appears 'sandy'. The tips of the pincers are often black. |
 Sisters Island, Dec 03 |
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Red swimming crabs on Singapore shores
 Pulau Semakau, Jan 09 |
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 Pulau Semakau, Dec 04 |
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 Eating BBQ leftovers? Kusu Island, Apr 05 |
 Eating a jellyfish. Pulau Semakau, Dec 04 |
 Eating a snail. Sisters Island, Sep 10 |
 Terumbu Pempang Tengah, May 11 |
more photos of red swimming crabs on Singapore shores
northern shores
southern shores part 1 | part 2 | part 3
| Acknowledgements Grateful thanks to Crabhunter for identification of some of these crabs. Links
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