Trapezia septata Dana, 1852 ‒ Honeycomb Coral Crab

Species Account

A wide-ranging Indo-West Pacific species found on subtidal coral reefs. Symbiotic on branching corals, particularly species of Pocillopora, Seriatopora and Stylophora. Feeds on coral mucous and in return defends the coral against predators. Carapace and chelipeds covered with purple or red honeycomb pattern over a cream to orange base colour, fingers of the chelipeds darker than the base colour. Body width to 20 mm. — John W. Short, 2026

Image

Specimen collected from Fairfax Island, Capricorn-Bunker Group, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia, John W. Short, 23 February 1998. Photographed by John W. Short.