Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 5731483
Purple Mangrove Crab
Goniopsis peliiThe Purple Mangrove Crab is a dark purplish shore crab that moves rapidly across roots, trunks, and muddy ground in West African mangroves. It feeds opportunistically around the tideline and retreats into crevices or burrows when approached.
mangrove crabintertidal scavengerroot climber
Licensed reference(c) Lucy Keith-Diagne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- small mollusks
- worms
- smaller crustaceans
Predators
- herons
- fish
- monitor lizards
ThreatsMangrove clearing, polluted runoff, shoreline development, oil contamination, and altered tidal flow
HabitatsMangrove forest, tidal creek banks, brackish lagoons, mudflats, and exposed mangrove roots
Life spanLikely several years; precise wild longevity is poorly documented
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGrapsidae
- SpeciesGoniopsis pelii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Do not grab crabs or remove bark, roots, and sheltering debris in mangroves.
Responsible observation
- Search: Scan exposed mangrove roots and trunks during lower tides.
- Habitat: Stay on firm access routes to avoid collapsing burrows and soft banks.
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.