Red Rock Crab
Scientific name: Guinusia chabrus
Alternative name/s:
Red Bait Crab
Red Bait Crab
Click to enlarge image
Red Rock Crab, Guinusia chabrus
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Guinusia
- Species
- chabrus
- Family
- Plagusiidae
- Suborder
- Pleocyemata
- Infraorder
- Brachyura
- Order
- Decapoda
- Superorder
- Eucarida
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Subphylum
- Crustacea
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 10 cm
Introduction
The Red Rock Crab is not only one of the most common crabs in Sydney but also one of the fastest movers. It is often used as bait, particularly to catch grouper.
Identification
The Red Rock Crab is easily recognised by its large size and red colour.
Habitat
Preferring moist environments, the Red Rock Crab is found around the low-tide mark on the rocky shore and underwater to depths of about 8 m. It tends to hide among seaweed and under rock ledges.
Distribution
The Red Rock Crab is found in temperate waters of southern Australia, in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Also found in New Zealand, South Africa and Chile.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Feeding and diet
The Red Rock Crab feeds on sponges, bryzoans and small seaweeds.
