Red-Eyed Flat Crab

Percnon guinotae

The Red-eyed Flat Crab is a benthic crustacean belonging to the family Percnidae. Divers can spot this species in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly around French Polynesia, including the Marquesas, Society, Austral, Tuamotu, and Gambier islands. It inhabits shallow waters, typically found at depths ranging from 1 to 10 meters. This crab is part of the order Decapoda, which is known for its gonochoric members, meaning that individuals are distinctly male or female. The Red-eyed Flat Crab engages in a precopulatory courtship ritual, utilizing olfactory and tactile cues. The species typically employs indirect sperm transfer during mating. Divers encountering the Red-eyed Flat Crab will find it harmless. As of now, the Red-eyed Flat Crab has not been evaluated for conservation status by the IUCN, CITES, or CMS.