The Three Spot Swimming crab is a species of large crab which is found throughout estuaries of the Indian and West Pacific Oceanic countries.
It is also known as the Red-Spotted Swimming crab or Blood-Spotted Swimming crab. It is a cosmopolitan species and widely distributed all major water of the world.
It is found through Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Andaman Islands, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, Philippines, Java, Indonesia, Singapore Hawaii and Australia. Read some more information about this crab species below.
Three Spot Swimming Crab Characteristics
The carapace of the Three Spot Swimming crab is very broad. It is easily characterized by 3 red spots in posterior half.
A strong spine can be seen on each side of their carapace. The carapace is of greyish green color. The swimming legs are flattened and claws are long.
Maximum length of the Three Spot Swimming crab is between 15 and 20 cm. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Diet
The Three Spot Swimming crab is primarily a carnivore. It is mainly a predator of sessile and slow-moving benthic macroinvertebrates.
Breeding
Precopulatory courtship ritual is common in the Three Spot Swimming crabs, usually indirect sperm transfer.
Berried females are found throughout the year, abundant from October to November and February to May with peak in February.
Uses
The Three Spot Swimming crab is utilized as an edible crab species in many countries.
Special Notes
The Three Spot Swimming crab is important and commercially harvested in many countries. It inhabits sandy to muddy substrates. The juveniles are found in marine waters and intertidal zone.
These crabs are also found in brackish water, and occur in subtropical and tropical climates. It is actually a harmless crab species, but being pinched by it’s claws can be painful.
It is a edible crab species in many countries around the world. However, review full breed profile of this crab in the table below.
| Name | Three Spot Swimming Crab |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Malacostraca |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Family | Portunidae |
| Genus | Portunus |
| Species | P. sanguinolentus |
| Binomial Name | Portunus sanguinolentus |
| Other Names | Also known as the Red-Spotted Swimming crab or Blood-Spotted Swimming crab |
| Breed Purpose | Food |
| Special Notes | Commercially important crab species in some countries, inhabits sandy to muddy substrates, the juveniles are found in marine water and intertidal zone, also found in brackish water, also occur in subtropical and tropical climates, actually a harmless crab species, but being pinched by it’s claws can be painful, edible crab species in many countries |
| Breeding Method | Natural |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climate |
| Body Color | Greyish green |
| Rarity | Common |
| Availability | Worldwide |
