I seem to have searched the whole web, and still couldn't find the name for this crab. Can anyone help?

Decorator crab? There are, many species.

Thanks for your reply! But what kind of decorator crab could it be? I'm lookig for the scientific name of this specie.

The shape looks a lot like a box crab, the size - approximately 20cm across, maybe a bit more.

Thanks for your reply! But what kind of decorator crab could it be? I'm lookig for the scientific name of this specie.

The shape looks a lot like a box crab, the size - approximately 20cm across, maybe a bit more.

 

 

I would have to have some more detailed photos of the crab and know exactly where it was collected to even field a good guess. Some pics of the underside and pics of the crab on a neutral background it doesn't blend into so well would be necessary as well.

It's a decorator or brachyuran crab, however there's some difficulties in identifying specific species and you may well need the specimen in hand to key it out - which continued instabilities in the taxonomy of the group might make difficult... sorry for the lack of a straightforward answer.

These guys might be able to assist: http://www-eve.ucdavis.edu/stachowicz/decorator.shtml

Interestingly, the trait has been "lost" and "gained" numerous times throughout the group.

Its a decorator crab its been in the littoral system for a long time..so the growth of algae on its back. Lucky guy. J

Thank you all very much! I don't have many pictures of the crab, but it was seen near Manado, Sulawesi and is approximately 20cm across.

My search also found "teddy bear crab" aka "gorilla crab". Same creature or just similar?

 

got to admit that it looks interesting

I dont know, but thats the ugliest crab i have ever seen. He looks awesome though, camouflaged as algae. nice work evolution.