Systematic Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Family: Portunidae
Genus: Scylla
Species: Scylla serrata
(Forskal, 1775)
Common name: Mud-swimmig crab
Chinese name: 青蟹﹐
specimen (a) 肉蟹﹐
specimen (b) 羔蟹﹐
specimen (c) 奄仔蟹

Please click the picture to view the three different specimens (a,b,c).

Carapace about 1.5 times as broad as long, convex and smooth; region obsure, a distinct H-shaped furrow between gastric and cardiac regions. A granulated ridge on the protogastric region, one on the epibranchial. Anterolateral margin composed of 9 teeth. Front armed with 4 produced triangular teeth, about equal in size. Chelipeds smooth. Manus smooth and inflated. Ambulatory legs smooth. Male first pleopod stout, tapering and bearing numerous spinules on its outer side. Male abdomen is broadly triangular while female abdomen is semi-circular like. Specimen (a) is a male which has inflated muscle; specimen (b) is a female which has carried many eggs in its inflated abdomen; specimen (c) is a juvenile which can be recognized by its small size and black abdomen.

Muddy bottoms, in estuaries not far from the shore.

Up to 130mm (Carapace width)

Hong Kong - Western waters; China - Guangxi, Guangdon, Taiwan, Fujian, Zhejiang; throughout the Indo-Pacific, area from Japan to Philippines, Hawaii, Australia, and South Africa.