Hawaiian Swimming Crab (Charybdis hawaiiensis)

Wordless Wednesday
Watery Wednesday

What: Hawaiian Swimming Crab (Charybdis hawaiiensis),
a nocturnal animal that hides in crevices during the day.

Where: I took this photo at Puako reef,
off the coast of Hawaii's Big Island.


Hawaiian Swimming Crab (Charybdis hawaiiensis)
Click on the photo to enlarge.
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37 comments:

  1. More info:

    This little guy measures about three inches (about 7.5 cm) across on its carapace. Swimming crabs' last (hind-most) legs are shaped like little paddles, enabling them to actually swim for short distances.

    Despite its common name, it does not live exclusively in Hawaii. It is also found at several other locations in the tropical Pacific.

    Bobbie
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  2. excellent capture of Hawaiian swimming crab, awesome place..
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  3. i really love your site! it's soo blue and the entries are very unique and interesting. i love underwater adventures also.

    nice shot you got there!
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  4. He looks a little shy.
    I'm guessing his color is an attraction to predators so he hides?
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  5. Great shot, as usual. I don't know what's more interesting to me in the picture though, the crab or what it's hiding under. :-)
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  6. Crabs are my favorite. Used to catch the little one in tide pools when I was a kid. Great sport.
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  7. Interesting the crab is red not green like a lobster. Must make it HARD to hide!
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  8. Great shot of such a beautiful crustacean
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  9. I think if I was a sea creature I'd be this fella ;) I'm very nocturnal.
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  10. I spy with my little eye. Lovely picture. happy ww.
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  11. Can't hide from you! What rich colors and textures down there!
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  12. Deep down there, nothing can escape from your camera, Bobbie :) Ermm, I have a question, though, are they the edible kind?
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  13. What a cute little guy :).

    As usual, another great shot from you guys.
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  14. Crabs are very cautious. It seems to be peeping out.
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  15. Wow! Isn't that a wonderful capture? Fantastic shot. What an incredible creature!
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  16. wow~ an interesting species of the crab family I'm seeing for the first time :)
    I'm really enjoying all your underwater shots!~
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  17. I assume they are swimming crabs because they swim, but can't other crabs swim for short distances.
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  18. Looks like he was peeking at you!
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  19. I love your photos very much. They are visions that most of us will never see so I appreciate you bringing the underwater to us.
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  21. Hi Bobbie, "Thank you for the BD wishes" per Ms. Jim.

    If I ever get back to Hawaii I should take scuba lessons first and then look you up when I come.
    You find the neatest things. Pretty things we sure didn't see snorkeling when we were there.

    I had slacked off blogging through Christmas and while were onboard (40 and 75 cents a minute for Internet). I might stay that way?
    Happy WW, Happy New Year.
    ..
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  22. What an excellent shot! Thanks for the additional comment info - I wouldn't have imagined him being only 3"; he doesn't appear that small from the photo.
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  23. Bobbie, how are you? I've missed you! Isn't it odd that that crab's techical name is Charybdis? Where's Scylla(sp?)?
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  24. An extremely good shot of an underwater creature. It's as if there was no water at all. Amazing skill and interesting piece of information on this little feller.
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  25. Interesting information accompanying your Watery Wordless Wednesday!
    Hugs and blessings,
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  26. That's a beautiful shot and thanks for the information about the crab.
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  27. Thanks to all our WW friends for visiting us this week.

    @ Carletta - Yes, these crabs are shy during the day, but they really get around at night. Its color looks a lot more drab in natural light, but the flash of light from the camera strobe shows us just how red it really is.

    @2Sweet - It's hiding in a crevice near the base of a large coral head. The coral type -- called lobe coral (Porites lobata) is very common here in Hawaii.

    @DrowseyMonkey - Ever since we became Twitter buddies, I've noticed how nocturnal you are. ;-}

    @Sreisaat - I think you could eat them -- that is, I don't think they are toxic -- but since they are so small, I doubt they'd yield much meat!

    @ScienceGuy - Actually, most crabs can't swim. They skitter (usually sideways), and some can sort of hop or leap short distances, but most crabs have no means of swimming propulsion.

    @Jim - Most snorkelers don't get to see things like this because they don't know where to look!

    @ Mary - Yes, I love the name Charybdis, too -- although I don't know why it was given to this genus. I don't know of a critter named after Scylla, but there are some called Medusa.

    @ Tarolino, the water around most of Hawaii's reefs tends to be quite clear -- a good thing for photography.

    Bobbie
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  28. He looks so cute, a shy little guy!
    Awesome that you take underwater photos. Happy WW! :)
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  29. Wow, how unique! The colors in your picture are gorgeous.
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  30. I think it cannot hide inside there; its brilliant colour just gave it away. :)
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  31. Its hiding...lol...but being red, it cant hide very well where its at!! Happy WW my friend. Thanks for stopping by. We are having Hawaii weather here. I dont think winter is coming at all this year:(
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  32. Just a touch of red coloring . . love it!
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  33. Great colours in the blue of the sea.
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  34. He is a cute little crab but somehow he just looks like he wants you to go away... Can't you see I am trying to hide here. Now I am anthropomorphizing the crustaceans.
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  35. What a cute little guy. It looks like it has eye lashes.
    B.
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  36. That crab sure is a pretty color - like a dark peachy rust.

    Twin Reflections In The Sky at My Mobile Adventures *~*~*

    Tink *~*~*
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  37. Great picture, as usual.

    I left you a little something in my blog...
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We welcome your comments and invite your questions. Dialogue is a good thing!

Bobbie & Jerry

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