Carapace subovate and surface covered with numerous conical spines. Rostrum with long, sharp-pointed tip, a median dorsal spine, usually bifid, and 2 small lateral spines. Chelipeds and walking legs also spined; chelipeds shorter than walking legs. Eyestalk short and stout with cornea mostly anterior and ventral. Acicle of antenna a slender spine. 2nd abdominal segment composed of 5 plates separated by distinct sutures. Young individuals have longer and sharper spines and the shape of the carapace is somewhat different but the number and location of the spines is the same.
SizeCarapace: male 227 x 283 mm, female 195 x 213 mm. Weight to 11 kg (24 lbs.) of which about 25% is meat.
ColourVaries considerably according to size and whether or not moulting has been recent. Carapace of adults brownish red or purplish-red and cream or greenish-white. Spines mostly deeper in colour, with a light dorsal band and a dark tip. Chelipeds and walking legs cream with patches and streaks of red dorsally. Fingers with white teeth and dark tips. Dactyls of walking legs with lateral streaks of red and corneous dark claws. Ventral surface mostly light with some red patches and light-tipped red spines. Juveniles orange overall.