The third pincer can be seen on Ali's left claw

A mutant crab with three pincers on one claw has been adopted by an aquarium in East Sussex.

The crustacean, named Ali, was caught by a fisherman in Hastings at the weekend, who gave it to the Blue Reef aquarium after noticing the pincer.

The extra appendage, growing from Ali's left claw, is about 15cm (6in) long.

Blue Reef curator Daniel Davies said crabs could regenerate injured limbs and claws but in Ali's case an extra pincer had grown instead.

"We are unsure whether Ali can use this extra section of his claw but knowing how powerful crab claws can be we don't want to find out the painful way", he said.

Ali, an edible crab, has been given a special new display at the aquarium.

"It's very lucky the fisherman realised just how unusual Ali was, otherwise I suspect he would have been heading for the pot," Mr Davies added.



