TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A highly poisonous devil reef crab was found in Penghu’s Huxi Township on Friday (April 12), alarming residents and authorities.
The crab was found outside a fisherman’s home in a residential area. The Penghu Fisheries Research Institute told CNA reporters that the specimen likely hitched a ride on a fisherman’s net while at sea.
The devil reef crab is rarely spotted ashore in Penghu or Taiwan. It is purposely avoided by fishermen due to the dangerous amount of neurotoxins it carries in its flesh and shell.
The species, Zosimus aeneus, typically grows to be 6 to 9 cm wide. The crab discovered in Penghu was a bit larger than average, measuring about 10 cm, reported CNA.
The species is notable for its shell pattern of deep reddish-brown spots over striking slivery-blue markings.
If spotted, the devil reef crab should be avoided and should never be eaten. Even just a bite of the flesh can be lethal, with a nearly 50% fatality rate.
In 2021, two children in the Philippines’ Cagayan Province died after they were mistakenly fed devil reef crab meat by their parents. UDN also reported that a group in Okinawa, Japan once consumed hot pot in which the meat had been boiled, resulting in the death of over 10 people.
The specimen found in Penghu has been taken to the Penghu Fisheries Research Institute for future study. The Institute also made a statement ensuring residents that the overwhelming majority of crab species around Penghu and Taiwan are non-toxic.
The public should be aware that the devil reef crab may occasionally be found in the region.
