This close-up photograph shows a Batwing Coral Crab. This image is featured on the cover of the 2001 ReefNews CD-ROM, "Bimini: Jewel of the Gulf Stream."

Tessa Dowell photographed this Batwing Coral Crab 30 feet underwater near Middle Turtle Rocks Reef, south of Bimini. She saw this crab in the middle of the afternoon. The crab was walking across a coral head foraging for food. This was a little unusual, because these crabs often hide in holes during the day and go out at night to forage.

The Batwing Coral Crab gets its name because it has wide arms that reminded someone of a bat's wings. The crab's body, called a carapace, was about 5 inches across. Its carapace was bright red and covered with white and yellow spots. Its legs were about 4 inches long. Notice this crab's bright red eyes which stick out from the front of its carapace. Between its eyes are two short antennae.

Learn more about the Coral Reefs of Bimini on the 2001 ReefNews CD-ROM
      Bimini: Jewel of the Gulf Stream