Other Names

• Rough Rock Crab

General Description

Body covered with red hairs. Notch in carapace between the eyes. Rear leg flattened and pointed at tip. Up to 9 cm wide (carapace).

Biology

Velvet Crabs, so-called because of the furry coating on the carapace, sometimes enter rock lobster pots and are occasionally sold in markets.

Habitat

Rock reef areas, to depth of 50 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Crabs and allies › Crabs

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

9 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Not harmful but a nip from claws could be painful.

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 3872

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed