Crabs of Christmas Island

A small crab with up to 25 mm wide carapace. The top of the carapace is a speckled and the base color varies depending on the substratum the crab is found in. Male crabs of this species have a characteristic tuft of fine brown hairs on the outside of each claw. Females have smaller claws that are free of hairs.

​

The so-called freshwater crab of Christmas Island actually prefers brackish water and usually lives near the sea. It needs to return to the sea to release its eggs.