Asian shore crab

Scientific name

Hemigrapsus sanguineus

Key features

Key features of Asian shore crab include:

• banded pattern on walking legs
• three spines on each side of eyes
• spots on claws
• square-shaped, green-purple to orange-brown shell
• shell up to 4cm wide.

Habitat

The Asian shore crab:

• found on hard surfaces like under rocks, shells, debris or artificial structures (marinas, moorings, etc.)
• found in exposed rocky coasts, estuaries, tidal flats and shallow waters.

Impacts

The Asian shore crab:

• out-competes native species
• preys on crabs and shellfish, particularly mussels and oysters.

Known established populations

The Asian shore crab is currently present in Port Phillip Bay.