FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

Xanthidae 1101
Etisus splendidus Rathbun, 1906
Frequent synonyms / misidentifications: None / Etisus
utilis Jacquinot, 1852; E. dentatus (Herbst, 1785).
FAO name: En - Splendid spooner.
Diagnostic characters: Carapace ovate, surfaces
smooth; 8 large teeth on each anterolateral margin (often
with smaller denticles between them); front divided into 2
distinct lobes, separated by distinct V-shaped cleft.
Carpus of cheliped with 2 spines on inner margin. Colour:
red to reddish brown overall.
Size: Maximum carapace width 15 cm.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: A coral reef crab. Never
collected in large numbers, but prized when caught,
because of its large size. Often caught in benthic nets and
fish traps, or by hand in intertidal reef areas.
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, eastwards to Hawaii and
French Polynesia, but not yet known from Southeast Asia.
Remarks: There are 2 species in the area
similar to Etisus splendidus in size and
general morphology, namely E. utilis and E.
dentatus (see species accounts below). E.
utilis is easily recognized by its 8 anterolateral
teeth which are curved forwards and
dorsoventrally flattened, whereas E. dentatus
can be distinguished by the distinct sinus
between the 2 frontal lobes being very narrow
and the carpus of the cheliped possessing
only 1 spine on the inner margin.
Etisus utilis Jacquinot, 1852
Frequent synonyms / misidentifications: None / Etisus
splendidus Rathbun, 1906; E. dentatus (Herbst, 1785).
FAO name: En - Sawedged spooner.
Diagnostic characters: Carapace ovate, surfaces
smooth; 8 large teeth on each anterolateral margin
(often with smaller denticles between them); front
divided into 2 distinctly truncate lobes, separated by
narrow fissure. Carpus of cheliped with 2 large spines
on inner margin. Colour: reddish brown overall; tips of
dactylus of legs red.
Size: Maximum carapace width 15 cm.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: A coral reef
crab. Caught by hand, in benthic nets, and fish
traps. Often collected for food, although rarely
in large numbers. There is some evidence that
this species may be temporarily mildly
poisonous in some parts of its range.
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, reaching
eastwards to New Caledonia.
Remarks: See Etisus splendidus.