Singapore Freshwater Crab
About the Singapore Freshwater Crab in Singapore
Last updated 20 May 2026
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What is the Singapore Freshwater Crab?
The Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis) is one of Singapore’s most famous crustacean. It is entirely endemic to Singapore, meaning it can only be found in Singapore!
Identifying features
Check out some identifying features of the Singapore Freshwater Crab!
The Singapore Freshwater Crab is relatively small, with adults growing to only about 3 centimeters across their shell. It's generally brownish, speckled coloration helps it blend seamlessly into muddy stream banks, and if you look closely, you will notice distinct, fine hairs covering its walking legs.
Habitat and ecology
They are incredibly elusive and restricted to just a few tiny, unpolluted, fast-flowing hill streams in the Bukit Timah and Bukit Batok areas. They are nocturnal scavengers that spend their days hiding deep under rocks or dead leaves in the stream bed.
Did you know?
This tiny crab is listed as critically endangered. Because its entire global population is squeezed into just a few small streams, it is vulnerable to changes in water quality, droughts, or habitat disturbance. The Singapore Freshwater Crab was part of NParks’ species recovery programme, launched in 2015. Because of these efforts, the Singapore Freshwater Crab was successfully bred in our laboratories and released back to its natural habitat in 2018. These released crabs have since successfully established a population of their own.
Learn more about the Singapore Freshwater Crab!
Curious about the Singapore Freshwater Crab? Here are some interesting articles you can read to learn more about them.
