Description

Eriphia ferox (Koh & Ng, 2008) belongs to the family Eriphiidae and the genus Eriphia. Its common names include Red-eyed Reef Crab and Ferocious Reef Crab, the latter derived from its Latin species name ‘ferox’, meaning “fierce,” attributed to its aggressive behavior.

Appearance & Behavior:

• The crab features a reddish to purplish-brown oval body with a tuberculated (bumpy) surface and bright red eyes.

• It has one large pincer adapted for crushing snail shells (with a molar-like tooth) and a slender opposing pincer, ideal for extracting prey—behaviors likened to using chopsticks.

• Typically active at night and known for its speed and territorial nature.

Habitat & Distribution:

Found throughout the Indo-West Pacific, including regions such as Singapore, southern China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and the South China Sea.