That’s a tall order: The tropical crab washed up in Cornwall with legs five times as long as its body

This rare crab is literally an eight-legged freak – with legs five times longer than its body.

The bizarre-looking Arrow crab has a leg span of 20cm – compared to a shell measuring just 4cm.

It gets its name from its bizarrely-shaped pointy head and pair of bulbous eyes.

The crustacean is now settling into its new home at Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium in Cornwall.

Spokesman Paul Strachan said: “The combination of enormously long legs, pointy head and sticky out eyes make the crab look very comical.

“However each characteristic is a specific adaption to its marine environment.

Arrow crabs are coral reef inhabitants with eight very long legs and tiny pincers at the end of two very long arms. They mainly feed on plankton.