General Description

Carapace and legs smooth. Front with 2 teeth close together, separate, not longer than supraorbital teeth, without submedians; upper orbital border with tooth inside first anterolateral; anterolateral teeth bordered by coarse granules. Basal antennal article with flattened dorsal area, upper surface sparsely hirsute. Pale greyish brown with numerous brown speckles. Carapace up to 15 cm wide.

Biology

This species of swimming crab is more common on the coasts of New Zealand but is also reported from south-eastern Australia. Spending much of their time burrowed into sandy or muddy sediments paddle crabs are efficient swimmers, using the flattened last pair of legs as paddles. These swimming legs and the pointed toothed and spined claws enable them to be highly active and aggressive predators.

Habitat

Intertidal to 50 metres depth.

Soft substrates

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

West Pacific Ocean (New Zealand and Chatham Islands), including south-eastern 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

15 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Harmful

Not harmful but a nip from large claws could be painful

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

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