Boxer crab (Lybia tessellata)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from SeaLifeBase, occurrence map from GBIF, description from Wikipedia.
Lybia tessellata is a species of small crab in the family Xanthidae. It is found in shallow parts of the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. They are found from the east coast of Africa in the Red Sea across Northern Japan and Northern and Eastern Hawaii. Like other members of the genus Lybia, it is commonly known as the pom-pom crab, cheerleader crab, or boxer crab because of its habit of carrying a sea anemone around in each of its claws, these resembling pom-poms or boxing gloves.
- Scientific name
- Lybia tessellata
- Authority
- (Latreille in Milbert, 1812)
- Family
- Xanthidae
- Order
- Decapoda
- Depth range
- 1–20 m
- Habitat zone
- reef-associated
- Gbif occurrence records
- 402
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Arthropoda · Class: Malacostraca · Order: Decapoda · Family: Xanthidae · Genus: Lybia.
Accepted name: Lybia tessellata · Authority: (Latreille in Milbert, 1812) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 208964.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Grapse tessellata Latreille in Milbert, 1812; Melia tessellata (Latreille in Milbert, 1812); Melia tresselata (Latreille in Milbert, 1812).
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=208964 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)
Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Lybia tessellata. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Depth range: 1–20 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.
SeaLifeBase notes: Found along the neritic zone, in reef areas (Ref. 97241). Subtidal (Ref. 106854).
Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 106159) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Lybia-tessellata.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
402 georeferenced occurrence records for Lybia tessellata are published through GBIF from 35 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 117 distinct locations from a sample of 402 records, omitting 9 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Indonesia (172); Chinese Taipei (21); United States Minor Outlying Islands (20); Marshall Islands (19); Australia (16); French Polynesia (16); Philippines (14); Northern Mariana Islands (13); Réunion (13); Kiribati (9); Mayotte (9); United States of America (8); Japan (7); Mauritius (7); Papua New Guinea (7).
Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Seychellois Exclusive Economic Zone; Madagascar; Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Aldabra; Comoran Exclusive Economic Zone; Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone; Somali Exclusive Economic Zone; Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone; Red Sea; Réunion Exclusive Economic Zone; West Indian Ocean; Mayotte Disputed area: France / Comoros; New Caledonian Exclusive Economic Zone; French Polynesian Exclusive Economic Zone.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 4377870) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=4377870&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=208964 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
Lybia tessellata is a small crab growing to a width of about 2.5 cm. The carapace is trapezoid in shape and the margin has a distinct tooth-shaped projection on either side, just behind the short-stalked eye. The surface of the carapace is marked into several differently coloured, geometric regions by a network of dark lines giving it the appearance of stained glass. The chelipeds do not have the broad chelae (claws) typical of decapod crabs. Instead they are slim and each has a fine finger bearing eight or nine spines. The front pair of walking legs is smaller than the other three pairs but all are much larger than the chelipeds. The legs are banded with dark transverse lines, speckled with white spots and clad in sparse, short hairs. The claws at their ends are long and thin.
Lybia tessellata is found in shallow water in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, its range extending from the Red Sea and the East African coast to Indonesia and New Guinea. It is found on sandy and gravelly seabeds, where it is well camouflaged, and on live corals where it clings with its long, thin legs.
Lybia tessellata is an omnivore. It carries a small sea anemone, usually Bunodeopsis spp. or Triactis producta, in each chela, holding its chelipeds out horizontally while moving around. If attacked by a potential predator, it will threaten the aggressor with an anemone, the tentacles of which are well armed with cnidocytes (stinging cells). It is unable to feed itself with its chelae and uses the tentacles of the anemones to collect food particles which it then removes with its mobile maxillipeds.
The red eggs of Lybia tessellata are carried around on the female's abdomen where they are brooded.
Lybia tessellata is well suited to being kept in a reef aquarium, though its small size and cryptic appearance may make it better suited to a small tank where it can be better observed. It is compatible with most other tank inhabitants but may be attacked by predatory fish. It is a shy species and easier to find at night when the tank lights are off.
Source: Wikipedia: Lybia tessellata — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lybia_tessellata (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
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