General Description

Rostral spines stout, straight, divergent; hepatic spine short, blunt. Intercalated spine separated from supraorbital eave by notch or fused to it; hepatic spine short, blunt; anterolateral spine of basal antennal article with an accessory spinule. Walking legs with propodi strongly expanded. Up to 2.5 cm long.

Biology

Seaweed crabs are so well covered with vegetation that it is usually necessary to remove it in order to determine the species. The legs and carapace are well provided with hooked hairs to which the weed is fastened making the adornment appear natural. The extent of seaweed each crab has varies thus making each one quite unique.

Habitat

Low intertidal, to 25 m depth.

Soft substrates

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern temperate oceans, including 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

25 mm

Diet

Organic matter

Harmful

Not harmful but a nip from large claws could be painful

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 3583

Conservation Status

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