5 photos - 3 species


Calappa gallus

Rough box crab, Lumpy box crab, Poki poki, Yellow Box crab

or Knobby box crab

Maximum size: 4 - 8 cm

Depth: 1 - 15 m

Rough carapace, with edges and knots, front with typical depressed area.

Pale yellow, brown or orange with dark spots on top of the claws and on the front of the carapace.

They are found on the sand, where they are often so deeply buried that only the small eyes can be seen.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean


Calappa hepatica

Smooth box crab, Poki poki or Long-eyed box crab

Maximum size: 8 - 12 cm

Depth: 1 - 150 m

They hide behind their claws, which function like can openers.

They use them to crack open snails.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bangka Island North - Sulawesi

Photo 2 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi


Calappa sulcata

Yellow box crab

Maximum size: 14.5 cm

Maximum depth: 3 - 200 m

They got the name Calappa because they hide behind their ‘claws’.

These are special tools used to crack snails and mussels.

Colour: Pink and beige to dark brown.

Body: the carapace is oval, wider than longer.

Bury themselves quickly in the sand when approached.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean