Channel Clinging Crab in Cozumel

The largest crab on the reef: a heavy knobbled carapace, thick legs and blunt pale claws. Also called the king crab or spider crab locally.

Quick ID

Where You Will See It In Cozumel

Deep in crevices and under ledges at Palancar Caves, Santa Rosa and Yucab, out in the open on night dives.

Reliable sites: Palancar Caves, Santa Rosa Wall, Yucab.

Behaviour

An algae grazer despite the size and the claws — it is not a predator. Wedges itself into a hole by day and comes out to feed after dark.

Commonly Confused With

• Arrow crab — Tiny body, spindly legs, striped rostrum.
• Spiny lobster — Lobsters have long antennae and a segmented tail rather than a broad carapace.

Diving Etiquette And Safety

Do not reach in. The claws are strong and the crab has nowhere to retreat inside a crevice.

Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip

Photo: Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.