Soh Kam Yung spotted a Reticulated Swamp Crab (Parathelphusa reticulata) at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park on 2 Dec 2023, next to the Nee Soon Swamp Forest. It was busy feeding, letting him get shots and also a video (see comments).

Three freshwater crabs are known to exist in Singapore. All of them are under threat of extinction due to pressure of habitat destruction.

The Reticulated Swamp Crab (Parathelphusa reticulata) is also known as the Swamp Forest Crab. It is a secretive, nocturnal crustacean endemic to Singapore. Herbivorous and scavenge as well. This crab prefers freshwater with a low pH.

The Johora singaporensis, is another freshwater crab that prefers fast-flowing freshwater with neutral pH. This crab is also secretive and feeds on plant matter and worms. Found in streams flowing through Bukit Timah, Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak. Read this post: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparksbuzz/issue-17-vol-2-2013/conservation/the-endangered-singapore-crab#:~:text=A%20uniquely%20Singapore%20species&text=Known%20scientifically%20as%20Johora%20singaporensis,of%20crabs%20endemic%20to%20Singapore.

The third freshwater crab is Irmengardia johnsoni Ng & Yang, 1985. It is also known to feed on detritus and worms. Found in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve (MacRitchie Reservoir and Nee Soon Swamp). Read: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/3/9/39

Soh Kam Yung was lucky to have spotted this crab. His keen observations and appreciation of nature was the real reason behind this observation.

References:

1. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/3/9/399
2. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/nee-soon-forest-swamp-freshwater-crab-parathelphusa-reticulata-critically-endangered-nparks-3589251
3. https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/app/uploads/2017/09/sbr2017-051.pdf
4. https://www.facebook.com/nparksbuzz/photos/a.228201063886044/2574016869304440/?type=3
5. https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RBZ-2023-0027.pdf
6. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparksbuzz/issue-26-vol-3-2015/conservation/celebrating-some-of-our-very-singaporean-species-this-sg50