The Red Swimmer Crab (Nectocarcinus integrifrons) belongs to the Family Portunidae that is also commonly referred to as the ‘Swimming crabs’. Swimming crabs can be distinguished by the last segment of their hind legs being flattened. The swimming crabs can be very aggressive when provoked and are well adapt at using their claws to defend themselves. The Red Swimmer Crab is distributed around the southern part of Australia from Fremantle in Western Australia around the south to Port Stephens in New South Wales, including the waters of Tasmania. It is also found in New Zealand.
The Red Swimmer Crab can be found in inshore coastal estuaries and bays where it likes to reside in sheltered seagrass meadows. Seagrasses are one of the main components of this crabs diet. The Red Swimmer Crab has a maximum carapace width of approximately 8cm.
