Skip to main content

Conical Spider Crab

Xenocarcinus conicus

Photo by Blogie
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

11.4558, 124.011

Field Notes

Description:

Identified by its host, the branching black coral (Antipathes sp.), X. conicus is able to transfer living matter from its host onto its carapace and leg joints for camouflage.

Habitat:

Typically found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Notes:

Spotted these critters on a bush-like coral at a depth of probably 12m during a day dive. There were two of them: the first 2 photos show one, and the other two show the other. The latter seems to have thicker appendages, and you can just make out the claw in the 3rd photo. (Just to be sure you can see the critter clearly, the 3rd & 4th photo shows it hanging upside down.)

Reference Links:

Spider Crab (Xenocarcinus conicus) - Information on Spider Crab, ASK THE EXPERT! Spider Crabs Neville Coleman : Neville Coleman

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (15)
Blogie
Came across more information, and now I think this is X. conicus and not X. tuberculatus. Sheesh... identifying marine critters is such a challenge! :D
Blogie
Updated this spotting. I do believe this is X. turberculatus. I hope others can confirm it.
Blogie
I hope so too, Eric. I've emailed WhatsThatFish.com about this already, but no reply yet. I must say, however, that usually they're pretty reliable when it comes to ID'ing critters. But of course, nobody's perfect. :)
Eric Noora
Well just that like you I have yet to find anything similar when googling I. edwardsi or Edward's Purse Crab. Except that from Whats that Fish site which is the same pic as above. Maybe others can help verify this then...
Blogie
Yeah it is, Eric, but I don't quite agree with them yet...
Eric Noora
Hi Blogie. So is it confirmed that this is an Ixa edwardsi? You photo is already uploaded in the link in Whats that Fish site as such.
Blogie
Thanks for the suggestion, nigel.brennan. However, are you positive that this is Ixa edwardsi? I googled that species and I got pictures of crab that look a lot different from this one...
Blogie
Thanks for the heads-up, Eric! I think it might be X. tuberculatus, but that species seems to prefer whip coral... I'll keep looking.
Eric Noora
Hi Blogie. This might be a spider crab. Try checking the Xenocarcinus species - just not sure which - X. depressus, X. conicus or X. tuberculatus :-)
Leuba Ridgway
I am no expert on crustaceans but it looks a little too robust for a shrimp especially the carapace - but you must have seen many different shrimps in your time!. It reminds me of a modified spider crab - seems to have a slightly broader posterior part ? - I hope you find out what it is - will be interested to know.
Blogie
LOL Leuba! :D Your observations are all correct. Don't know if it's not a good swimmer, but I do believe it only crawls on the coral's stalks. Very interesting about its eyes, no? Makes me think now that it might be a shrimp instead...
Leuba Ridgway
I can make out the legs and perhaps a fat claw ( pic 3) - the legs have hooky ends(pic 1). May not be a good swimmer ? This crustacean appears to have a narrow body (pic 3) with a pointy anterior part of the carapace. I think I can make out an eye on the side of the pointy bit and it is not on a stalk ! When you find out, you can tell me if any of this is right. I think you've made-up this whole thing, Blogie ....seriously, you do find such amazing creatures. Well done and thanks for sharing.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Mission
Mimetic Animals of the World
Mission
Crustacea Filipiniana

Tags

Photographed
PublishedMarch 7, 2012

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies