Carapace margins rounded, not clearly defined into anterior and posterior like other species of Cancer; margins toothed; surface finely granular, with knobs and grooves in symmetrical patterns. Chelipeds stout; fingers almost entirely dark coloured. Walking legs relatively slender and setose with stout dactyls. At least 3 variants may be found: the common form has marginal teeth on the carapace closely set and points curved. In the second form the teeth are flattened and joined laterally and the surface of the carapace has wart-like knobs. A third form has narrow teeth that are curved, pointed and separate and the surface of the carapace has numerous raised granulate surfaces.
SizeCarapace: male 36 x 49.5 mm, female 31 x 42 mm.
ColourCarapace mostly red-brown with grey granules and white patches. Chelipeds white with orange, flesh and pale grey granules; fingers black. Walking legs white with red spots and a web of purple, tan and flesh with grey; claws yellow. Abdomen white. Eyestalk white or flesh with light brown knobs; cornea grey with black centre.