Smooth Shore Crab

About

A common shore crab that can easily be confused with others from this family

Locally around Tomahawk Beach this crab can be found under rocks and is not as common as some others. It is another crab being displaced by the invasive crabs around the area

Similar Species include Cyclograpsus granulosus, Helograpsus haswellianus, Paragrapsus quadridentatus

Identification

This crab can be hard to distinguish from the Purple-mottled Shore Crab (Cyclograpsus granulosus) the carapace shape is the same and whilst this crab is smoother it still has some granulation and both species lack any notches.

The key feature of this crab is the tufts of hair between the bases of the legs visible on the underside of the crab. again both crabs can have this but this particular crab it is much more dense and noticeable than in C. granulosus.

Size

Can grow to around 40mm across the carapace

Habitat

Can be found under rocks at all inter-tidal and sub-tidal levels

Distribution

Most of the Australian coast including around Tasmania excluding the NT

Gallery

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Local Sightings

2 recorded sightings in and around the area.

References & citations (2)

1. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
2. WoRMS (2021). Cyclograpsus audouinii H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)