Crab ID Help - San Juan, PR

[SeeWorld]

Hi Friends,
Using Humann Reef Creatures 1st edition, this crab most closely resembles (Portunus sayi) Sargassum Swimming Crab. But I have my doubts for a reasons including the lack of Sargassum in the area and variance of color pattern from the photo in the Humann guide.
size ~ 3" wide
depth ~ 6'
habitat: sand & sea grass
where: Playita del Condado, San Juan, PR
Please share what species you believe this is and the reasons why.
Best Fishes, T

 

[livi120]

I think it's a Redhair Swimming Crab Portunus ordwayi because of shape of lateral spines and large spines on the pincer "arms". Also the mottled red color, and the shallow sandy area.

 

[SeeWorld]

Thank you. I am not finding a resource (online or text) to learn more about P. ordwayi. Do you have any suggestions? - T

 

[livi120]

Sorry. I found Redhair Swimming Crab Portunus ordwayi in H/D REEF Creatures 2nd Ed. I searched online and found only a reference in a Brazilian website (in Portugese) Scroll down though and look by scientific names. To be honest the dead specimen of Portunus ordwayi on that site's picture doesn't look much like yours or the one in the book. But look also at Portunus spinicarpus right bellow it. It could be that one also.
Here's the web site:
Biota Neotropica - Composition and abundance of the crabs (Decapoda, Brachyura) off Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba, northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil

 

[SeeWorld]

Well .. . for what it's worth, I am convinced you are correct with Portunus ordwayi (Redhair Swimming Crab). Thanks for all of the help!