Spotted Reef Crab- Facts and Photographs

The Spotted Reef Crab (Carpilius maculatus) is also known as the Seven-eleven crab, the Dark-finger coral crab, and the Large spotted crab. They are not commonly seen in Tanzanian waters, probably due to their reclusive nocturnal nature and the fact that they are trapped by indigenous fishermen.

When seen they are often in a deep crevice which makes it extremely difficult to photograph them. They are usually very quick to hide. They are decapod crustaceans in the Carpiliidae family and are true crabs, they were first described by Linnaeus in 1758.

APPEARANCE

Spotted Reef Crab have a pinky to light brown background color and a very distinctive series of round reddish brown markings on the carapace making them easy to identify. There are two large and two small marks across the front of the carapace, three large marks across the central carapace and four small dots across the rear. There are actually more dots on the ventral side

They have fairly robust claws and usually the right claw is larger claw. They grow up to 15 cm in width and are fairly powerful.

SPOTTED REEF CRAB IN THE WILD

The Spotted Reef Crab is nocturnal and is usually well hidden during the day. They are seldom seen during daylight and even at night are quick to hide, making them quite difficult to photograph. We have only found them on shallow offshore reefs to a depth of around 14 meters off Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

HABITAT

The Spotted Reef Crab are found across the Indo Pacific area from East and Southern Africa across to Japan , Australia and Hawaii.

DIET

Spotted Reef Crab feed on mollusks which they crush with their powerful claws. Additionally as with most crabs, they will scavenge if there is food available.

REPRODUCTION

The eggs are fertilised by the male and are then carried under the body of the female. Once they hatch the larvae go through a planktonic stage before settling down and growing into their adult form. The Hairy Coral Crab is more often than not seen in pairs with one pair inhabiting a coral.

COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION

The Spotted Reef Crab are caught in traps by indigenous fishermen on the Tanzanian coast. There seem to be conflicting reports on whether they are poisonous at certain times.

SPOTTED REEF CRAB CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum:Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder:Brachyura
Family: Carpiliidae
Genus: Carpilius
Species:C. maculatus