Carapace surface relatively flat and slightly convex anteriorly with a median H-shaped depression. Chelipeds smooth, stout; fingers long and irregularly toothed. Walking legs somewhat flattened, smooth stout and naked.
SizeCarapace: male 48 x 56.2 mm, female 28 x 34 mm.
ColourVariable, especially in small individuals. Large males usually dark purplish red on the surface of the carapace and with pink or yellow granules in a symmetrical pattern of spots; narrow margins reddish with pale violet granules and yellowish streak posteriorly. Chelipeds reddish with purple splotches; palm violet with reddish spots; fingers violet to white and yellow ventrally, and pubescence pale brown. Walking legs dark purple with some red and yellow patches on joints; claw tan. Ventrally lighter. Eyestalk white, red and brown; cornea black. Occasionally one finds an olive green and yellow male.