The Hairy Stone Crab (Actaea carcharias) is a small crab species that is rarely seen by scuba divers. It belongs to the Xanthidae family and Xanthoids crabs are generally characterised by the males having the usual complement of seven abdominal segments reduced to five by fusion of segments three to five. This species has only been recorded in Australia in the lower western coast line of Western Australia and in the waters of south east Queensland. Occasionally some individuals are found in the waters of New South Wales. This species is known to occur on coral and rocky reefs and is generally found in shallow water. The Hairy Stone Crab (Actaea carcharias) was first described by White in 1848 and is known to grow to a maximum width of at least 6cm.
The identification of this species was provided by Dr Peter Davie from the Queensland Museum. Dr Davie is recognised as being one of the leading crustacean experts in the world.
