Johnson's Freshwater Crab - Irmengardia johnsoni

[hwchoy]

One of the three endemic freshwater crab of Singapore (means it cannot be found anywhere else on Earth), the Johnson' Freshwater Crab Irmengardia johnsoni measures roughly 3 cm across the carapace and lives in forest streams and swamps in the Catchment and Nature Reserves.

This female specimen is gravid and you can see the babies under her belly. Specimen courtesy of RMBR.

*click picture for full resolution*

[Michael]

Solid shot of the crab. The focus is more on the children than the eyes.

I'd like to know what kind of diet do they have, being so small, can't be eating fish right?

Also, the babies, are semi transparent?

[hwchoy]

yes this shot is focused on the babies. will post other shots later.

they are very greedy as are all crustaceans, will eat almost anything. give them small fish food pellet is easiest.

[Michael]

baby is plastic can see thru huh? ghostly sia...

[hwchoy]

most of these creatures are fairly translucent leh.

[evershine]

first time i see baby crabs under the belly.. was it born? how come it hold so well under the belly?

Is this shot taken in 1985 ??  I think it would look better if it is better lighted.

[hwchoy]

after hatching it takes a week or so before they are released. the "1985" is part of the "authority" which is the paper that describes this species. This crab was first described scientifically and given the latin name by Ng (Peter K.L. Ng, now the head of Raffles Museum) & Yang (not sure which Yang) in 1985.

Lighting of these subjects are always very tricky because they move. and they can move very fast if they want to. as usual one 550EX over the top, one 550EX from the front.

[Dream Merchant]

OK, I have to say it, that's one impressive shot of one UGLY Mother ... !