4 photos - 2 species


Carpilius corallinus

Batwing coral crab

Maximum length: 15 cm

Their carapace is smooth, orange to red or brown with yellow to white spots.

In shallow coral reefs they are foraging at night and normally hidden during the day,

but I found these two here during the day and although very shy,

they let me get very close to them and didn't bother me.

Bonaire Caribbean


Etisus splendidus

Splendid red spooner crab, Spiny spooner crab, Splendid spooner crab

or Splendid reef crab

Maximum length: 20 cm

Scissor fingers are lighter in colour, with hooked or club-shaped ends.

They have about 10 irregular spines.

Nocturnal, said to be very poisonous

Hurghada Egypt