“CLINGING TO THE WRECKAGE”: BAHAMAS CLINGING CRABS

The Clinging Crab Mithrax spinosissimus answers to a number of names: West Indian spider crab; channel clinging crab; reef or spiny spider crab; or coral crab. It is found throughout the waters of South Florida and the Caribbean.

These are crabs of the reefs, or indeed of the wrecks that may be found around reefs. Some of the crabs in this post have chosen wrecks as their home – in the header image the crab is living inside the smoke stack of ‘Theo’s Wreck’, Grand Bahama.

The clinging crab is believed to be omniverous, its main diet being algae and carrion. They can grow to 2 kg, and it is the largest species of reef crab found in the Caribbean.

LAID BACK

Credits: Melinda Riger of Grand Bahama Scuba (all photos), with thanks as always for use permission