Red-ridged clinging crab (Mithraculus forceps)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mithraculus forceps
- Common name
- Red-ridged clinging crab
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Mithracidae
- Genus
- Mithraculus
- Size
- 2–5 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- nocturnal, solitary, cleaner
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Mithraculus forceps reaches 5 cm. Small stocky-looking crab with a red-brown carapace, spoon-shaped claws tipped with characteristic sensory hair tufts (hence forceps). Lives as a commensal or symbiont among the arms of large anemones, gorgonians and Caribbean corals, feeding on detritus and mucus. May also clean larger invertebrates. Appreciated macro subject from 1 to 30 m.
Photo of Red-ridged clinging crab
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Red-ridged clinging crab?
- Red-ridged clinging crab (Mithraculus forceps) reaches 2–5 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Red-ridged clinging crab?
- Red-ridged clinging crab is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Red-ridged clinging crab dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Red-ridged clinging crab?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Red-ridged clinging crab?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Mithracidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 421988)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2226763)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia