PORT PHILLIP BAY


Haswell's Shore Crab 

Helograpsus haswellianus (Whitelegge, 1889)

View scientific description and taxonomy

General Description

Carapace light to dark brown, sides curved with one notch behind the eye. Front of carapace curves down. Up to 3 cm wide (carapace).

Biology

Haswell's Shore Crabs dig burrows for protection in sand or mud above the high tide level.

Habitat

Sheltered coasts, under rocks, in burrows, mid to high tide levels.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Crabs and allies Crabs

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

3 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Not harmful but a nip from claws could be painful.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 2801

Conservation Status

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

Author

article author Taylor, J.

Dr. Jo Taylor is the Sciences Collections Online Coordinator at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Poore, G.C.B.

Dr. Gary Poore is Principal Curator Emeritus at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Taylor, J. & Poore, G.C.B., 2011, Haswell's Shore Crab, Helograpsus haswellianus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 11 Jun 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/3955

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