Acropora Coral Crab

Tetralia glaberrima

The Acropora Coral Crab, a member of the family Tetraliidae, is a reef-associated crustacean found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to the Philippines. This species is typically encountered at depths ranging from the surface to 56 meters, with the majority of sightings occurring in shallower waters. It has a strong association with branching Acropora corals, where it resides as an epizoic organism, meaning it lives on the surface of these corals. The crab's reproductive behavior includes a precopulatory courtship ritual, which involves olfactory and tactile cues, and it typically reproduces through indirect sperm transfer. Divers encountering the Acropora Coral Crab can expect to find it nestled among the branches of Acropora corals. It is harmless to humans and does not pose any threat.