Red-Dotted Guard Crab

Trapezia cymodoce

The Red-dotted Guard Crab, a member of the family Trapeziidae, is known for its association with Pocillopora corals in the Indo-Pacific region. Divers can encounter this species from East Africa to the Philippines, typically inhabiting shallow subtidal zones. They are often found at depths ranging from 0 to 59 meters, with most occurrences reported at depths shallower than 50 meters. This species is part of the order Decapoda, which are generally gonochoric, meaning they have separate sexes. The Red-dotted Guard Crab engages in a precopulatory courtship ritual, utilizing olfactory and tactile cues. Mating usually involves indirect sperm transfer. For divers, encountering the Red-dotted Guard Crab is a harmless experience, as they pose no threat to humans. However, their conservation status has not been evaluated by the IUCN, leaving their population trends and potential threats largely unknown.