If you see an Asian paddle crab on your travels, you are unlikely to see many other species close by. It is aggressive and quickly out competes our native paddle crabs for space and food. With a vicious bite when disturbed, the adults are strong swimmers and can spread attached to fouling on a boats hull, or as larvae in sea chests or ballast water where they can live for up to a month.

How to identify this species:

• Large swimming crab

• Shell ~12cm across

• Six spines on shell

• Five spines on claws

• Pale green-olive green

• Deep brown to purple