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| crabs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Superfamily Trapezioidea |
| Red
coral crab Trapezia cymodoce Family Trapeziidae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This tiny red crab is sometimes seen in Cauliflower corals (Pocillopora sp.) on our Southern shores. Features: Body width about 1cm, body flat, claws large with pointed pincers usually dark at the tips. Usually red or dark orange. Often, more than one crab is seen in a single colony. They are hard to spot and photograph. This crab lives only in Cauliflower corals (Pocillopora sp.). The crab feeds on the mucus produced by the coral, gathering these with the minute comb-like structures at the tips of their feet. In turn, it protects the coral from predators such as the Crown-of-Thorns sea star. It discourages the sea star by using its sharp pincers to nip at the sensitive tube feet of the sea star. Status and threats: The Red coral crab is listed as 'Vulnerable' in our Red List of threatened animals of Singapore. |
 A pair is obvious in a bleaching Cauliflower coral. Cyrene Reef, Jul 10 |
 Cyrene Reef, Jul 10 |
 Cyrene Reef, Aug 10 |
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 Cyrene Reef, Jul 10 |
 Cyrene Reef, Aug 10 |
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 Tanah Merah, Dec 09 |
 Tanah Merah, May 10 |
 Terumbu Bemban, Apr 11 |
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 Terumbu Pempang Tengah, May 11 |
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