Name that Crab!

[Hara]

I recently acquired this crab along with two very large hermits. Can someone help ID? Reminds me of one that would be edible when it got bigger. Flat shell, about 2.5 inches across the top right now. Alot of bright red markings and little blue dots along the edge of the shell.

 

[electrikat]

Better picture?

 

[Hara]

here ya go

 

[electrikat]

He's beautiful yet mean looking at the same time. No idea though.

 

[phishead]

yeah, mean looking. 8O 8O 8O

He seems to be missing his left claw though.

i have now idea what he is, but I think he looks pretty cool in a Terminator way

 

[mle421]

mmmmm, he looks delicious he looks like the kind i get at the ocean with all the cajun spices!

 

[easyian]

It sort of looks like a smaller version of this guy here. The Swimming Crab from Hawaii. http://www.seaphotos.com/crustaceans.html They're a little different in the claws but they both have that little paddle on their back legs and are the same color.

 

[Hara]

thanks easyian, this is as close as I have found so far. The crab that I have is more brown on the top shell, but the body style and the swim paddles are the same. So at least we know he is some kind of swimming crab.

 

[scuba_steve]

imo looks like a baby blue crab ! if so it will lose the red and turn all blue when its bigger