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Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Xanthidae
Curry puff crab
Platypodia granulosa

Family Xanthidae
updated Dec 2019

Where seen? This brown crab with distinctive notches on the side of its body is sometimes seen on our reefs and coral rubble, usually well camouflaged.

Features: Body width 4-6cm. Body and claws chocolate brown and covered with large rounded bumps. Smooth sides on the body edges with regular notches highlighted in pale bars that make the creature resemble a curry puff or pie. Pincers large and thick with dark brown claws. Like other brightly coloured Xanthid crabs, it is probably poisonous.

Sometimes mistaken for the more commonly seen Floral egg crab (Atergatis floridus).

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

Terumbu Raya, Jul 11


Curry puff crabs on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Pulau Hantu, Mau 19
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Terumbu Raya, Feb 23
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.


Terumbu Pempang Laut, Mar 24
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook.

Links

References

  • 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.
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