FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

1096 Crabs
Ashtoret lunaris (Forsskål, 1775)
En - Yellow moon crab.
Maximum carapace width 5 cm. Found in sandy substrates, often near reefs or seagrass beds, from
the intertidal zone to a depth of 50 m. Caught in nets for food in some parts of its range, often in
good numbers. Indo-West Pacific, eastwards to Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Calappa calappa (Linnaeus, 1758)
(from Rüppell, 1830) chela (outer surface)
En -Giantboxcrab.
Maximum carapace width 13 cm. Two colour morphs are known: one uniform tan and the other
speckled with numerous red to maroon spots. Found in rocky to shelly substrates, from depths of
10 to 50 m. Usually caught in traps or nets. Of interest to fisheries due to its large size, but nowhere
common enough to have major commercial importance. Also popular as a curiosity (e.g. in Hawaii).
Indo-West Pacific, including Japan, Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Hawaii.