A Spiny Lithode Crab, Acantholithodes hispidus

One reason why there were not many prawns in this trap! Not what I was hoping for. This crab is not an unusual bycatch of prawn fishermen. Please see, https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/spiny-lithode-crab-bull-acantholithodes-hispidus.html The crab was brought up from a depth of ~122 meters. Hopefully it made it safely back home.

comments (5)

Pudding4brains

Lion

Excellent image! Thanks for this glimpse into the problems of the poor old shrimp-fishermen :o)
(species created) Posted 6 years ago
1. gary fast
  
  Lion
  
  Many thanks. I was surprised at how colourful this fellow was considering how deep he was living. I was also surprised at how soft the body was when I picked it up. Although it does eat the prawns/shrimp they are too fast for this slow moving crab so it enjoys the captive “audience” in the trap. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Pudding4brains
    
    Lion
    
    I read about the soft abdomen ... funny to imagine in a beast so prickly and tough looking :o) Posted 6 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

What a fantastic beast! Posted 6 years ago
1. gary fast
  
  Lion
  
  Quite the colourful fellow. Posted 6 years ago

The Spiny Lithode Crab

The Spiny Lithode Crab (Acantholithodes hispidus) is species of the infraorder Anomura and as such not a true "Crab" (Brachyura), but rather closer related to Hermit Crabs and the like.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Decapods

Species identified by Flown Kimmerling