Liocarcinus pusillus, common name dwarf swimming crab,[3] is a species of crab in the Portunidae family.[4]
Liocarcinus pusillus is a small, colourful species with a broad, suboval carapace having a maximum width of 25 mm (1.0 in). However, most specimens are usually less than 20 mm (0.8 in).[4][5] This species occurs in a wide range of colours.[4] The front has three sharpened tusks, directed forward.[3]
Liocarcinus pusillus occurs from North-West Africa, to Lofoten, Norway[4][5] including the North Sea.[3] It is found around the shores of: England, in such places as Northumberland, Yorkshire, The Wash, Thames, the eastern English Channel, Isle of Wight, Portland, Plymouth, the Scilly Isles, the Bristol Channel, Liverpool Bay; Scotland - Shetland, Orkney, Firth of Forth, Argyll and Clyde, The Minch; Ireland, occurring in and around Dublin, Belfast, Mayo, Galway Bay, Fastnet Rock, Cork; and elsewhere in the British Isles including the Channel Islands, Anglesey and the Isle of Man.[6]
Specimens range intertidally up to 100 metres,[5] dwelling on sandy to stony bottoms,[4][6] but prefer gravel or stony substrates.
Liocarcinus pusillus, common name dwarf swimming crab, is a species of crab in the Portunidae family.
