Animals/ Contents

Freshwater crabs, prawns and snails

Peter K. L. Ng and Stephen Ambu

Malaysia has more than 90 described species of freshwater crabs, mostly endemic species, and also more than 40 species of freshwater prawns, some highly prized in the restaurant trade. Malaysian freshwater snails belong to two groups: the Prosobranchia, with the familiar spiral shells, and the air-breathing Pulmonata, or lung snails. Some are of economic significance as carriers of parasites which can be transmitted to people.

  • Information in the full article includes
  • Classification of crabs and prawns
  • Freshwater and terrestrial crabs
  • Freshwater prawns
  • Freshwater snails
Crab spirit

Hantu ketam, the crab spirit, which lives in rivers and chases and bites anyone who dives near him.