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Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Xanthidae
Mosaic reef crab
Lophozozymus pictor

Family Xanthidae
updated Dec 2019
Where seen? This striking red crab is sometimes seen on our some of our shores among coral rubble or near living reefs. At some times, several can be seen on one trip, and then none for several months. 'Pictor' in Latin means 'painter'.

Features: Body width 8-10cm. Body somewhat fan-shaped. It is usually red to orange with strikingly mosaic-like patterns of large white spots.
Pincers short, both about equal in size, with black tips. Walking legs hairy with pointed tips.

Crab of Death: It is the most poisonous crab of Singapore! There are several documented deaths caused by eating this crab. Cooking does not destroy the toxins. The crab is believed to obtain the toxins from the food it eats, including a poisonous sea cucumber.

How to stay safe: Do not touch the crab.

Status and threats: This crab is listed as 'Endangered' on the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore.

Eating a clam. Pulau Hantu, Jul 10
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her blog.

Pulau Semakau, Nov 09

Eating a Long-spined black sea urchin.
Sisters Island, May 09
Photo shared by Janette Goh on her blog.

Eating a Common sea star.
Pulau Hantu, May 09
Photo shared by Janette Goh on her blog.

Sentosa, Jun 07

Mosaic reef crabs on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Beting Bronok, Jun 16
Photo shared by Rene Ong on facebook.

Changi Loyang, May 21
Photo shared by Jianlin Liu on facebook.


Pulau Sekudu, Jun 17
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Pulau Sekudu, Jul 20
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.


Lazarus Island, Jan 24
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

St John's Island, Jun 24
Photo shared by Tommy Tan on facebook.

Pulau Jong, Apr 09
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.


Cyrene Reef, Feb 15
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

Pulau Hantu, Jun 10
Photo shared by James Koh on his blog.

Pulau Semakau, Feb 09
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.


Terumbu Raya, Feb 23
Photo shared by Kelvin Yong on facebook.

Terumbu Bemban, Jul 11
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

Beting Bemban Besar, Jun 21
Photo shared by Richard Kuah on facebook.


Terumbu Pempang Tengah, May 11
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.

Terumbu Pempang Laut, Dec 18
Photo shared by Liz Lim on facebook.

Terumbu Pempang Laut, Mar 24
Photo shared by Kelvin Yong on facebook.


Raffles Lighthouse, Nov 16
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Pulau Biola, Jan 22
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on facebook.


Pulau Salu, Apr 21
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Pulau Senang, Aug 10


Terumbu Salu, Jan 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng h on his flickr.

Pulau Pawai, Dec 09
Photo shared by James Koh on his flickr.

Pulau Sudong, Dec 09
Photo shared by James Koh on his flickr.

Links
References
  • Chou, L. M., 1998. A Guide to the Coral Reef Life of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 128 pages.
  • 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.
  • Davison, G.W. H. and P. K. L. Ng and Ho Hua Chew, 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened plants and animals of Singapore. Nature Society (Singapore). 285 pp.
  • Gopalakrishnakone P., 1990. A Colour Guide to Dangerous Animals. Venom & Toxin Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore. 156 pp.
  • Jones Diana S. and Gary J. Morgan, 2002. A Field Guide to Crustaceans of Australian Waters. Reed New Holland. 224 pp.
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