Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Description. This project explores how oyster, blue crab, and spotted seatrout populations respond to human and environmental changes with the goal of improving the management of these economically and culturally important species. Its claws are bright blue, and those on mature females feature red tips. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Office, the bay shoreline is being affected at a faster rate than the global average because land in the region is already naturally subsiding. Predators include large fish like croakers and red drum; fish-eating birds like great blue herons; and sea turtles. Predators include the Kemp's ridley sea turtle and the whooping crane. Now, European marine biologists are studying our favorite crustacean to try to control its population explosion. After mating, the male continues to cradle the female until her shell hardens. The Blue crab is anomnivore, eating both plants and animals. Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus. Blue crabs have three pairs of walking legs and paddle-shaped rear swimming legs. The Team: John C. Lehrter (lead investigator, University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab jlehrter@southalabama.edu), Ronald Baker (University of South … The carapace has nine marginal teeth on each side; the ninth teeth are strong spines. Four spines on the anterior edge of the carapace, 9 spines on the anterior lateral edge (posterior-most are the largest). Males have a strongly tapered abdomen, or "apron," that resembles an inverted T, mature females have a broad, rounded abdomen, and immature females have a triangular abdomen. Search, discover, and learn about wildlife. Using the money from BP’s oil spill fines to stop coastal wetlands loss and protect habitats for blue crabs will have a positive impact on the entire food web of the Gulf of Mexico—and the Gulf Coast economy as well. Designed & Hosted by Rusty Hook Marketing. Ditch the disposables and make the switch to sustainable products. These crabs are predacious and scavenge for food. Their bodies are dorsally compressed, and their carapace … However, review full breed profile of the Blue crabin the table below. Watch as a blue crab works hard for its meal, and turns a clam into 'table scraps.' Each bright orange egg mass may contain between 750,000 and two million eggs. Meat of these crabs is very tasty and very popular. The quality of the meat is at its highest when the crab is cooked alive or euthanized within seconds of going into a … The blue crab's carapace (shell) varies in color from bluish to olive green, and can reach up to 9 inches across. King crabs are not true crabs like Dungeness or snow crab, but are more closely related to hermit crabs. The blue crab's carapace (shell) varies in color from bluish to olive green, and can reach up to 9 inches across. The carapace has nine marginal teeth on each side; the ninth teeth are strong spines. Males eventually leave to search for another mate, while females migrate to the saltier waters. Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathburn) General Description Smooth oblong carapace in variations of gray, blue, or brownish green. Baltimore MD. However, if global climate change continues unabated, projected rising sea levels and water and air temperatures will significantly reshape the region's coastal landscape, threatening recreational and commercial fishing including crabbing in the region. This impact was seen in 2005, as high Chesapeake temperatures caused a massive die-off of the seagrass. This shift in the predator-prey balance would harm efforts to rebuild the stocks of both species. The American blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is an invasive voracious alien species, with no known predators and with high reproductive and survival rates, … Like all true crabs, they have five pairs of legs: three pairs of walking legs, one pair of paddle-like swimming legs, and one pair of claws. The claws on the adult female blue crab are tipped with red. Fill your steamer pot with 4 cups (950 ml) of water so it’s surface is below where the rack sits. Aside from their ecological importance, blue crabs are one of the most economically important fisheries of the Gulf. Also known as the Chesapeake blue crab or the Atlantic blue crab, these crabs are strong swimmers—largely due to their fifth pair of legs, which are shaped like paddles. Diamondback Terrapins are edging their way toward the endangered species list. Appearance The blue crab's carapace (shell) varies in color from bluish to olive green, and can reach up to 9 inches across. Warming temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay are predicted to also greatly impact eelgrass, a seagrass that provides essential habitat for juvenile blue crabs. In the Pacific, there are two similar species--the Brown Pacific Weed Crab and the Blue Pacific Weed Crab. There are over 4500 species of crab found all over the world- in oceans, freshwater bays, streams and a couple terrestrial, land loving types. TheBlue Crab (Callinectes sapidus),or the Atlantic Blue Crab, is a species ofcrabnative to the waters of the westernAtlantic Oceanand theGulf of Mexico, and introduced internationally. Sharks vs. The blue crab is an “r” (reproductive)-selected strategist species, which is characterized by production of large numbers of young, rapid growth, early attainment of … In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. Aug 01, 2020 07:00 AM EDT A rapidly breeding invasive blue crab species is currently wrecking the livelihood of The blue crab's mating season occurs between May and October. The blue crab may be pretty but it is a menace along Albania's coast. It also has been introduced in other parts of the world. The carapace has nine marginal teeth on each side; the ninth teeth are strong spines. Native to the Atlantic, the crustacean started emerging in Albania's Adriatic waters over a decade ago, aided by warming sea temperatures. Blue crabs have three pairs of walking legs and paddle-shaped rear swimming legs. Few blue crabs live longer than three years. In the past, this species supported a large fishery, worth millions of dollars, but numbers have been reduced to the point that commercial fishers no longer target the blue king crab directly. Blue crab is a popular seafood; its sweet meat is prized by chefs and diners in spite of the blue crab's reputation for aggression and its fearsome appearance. Blue crabs are not threatened or endangered. It supports large valuable commercial and recreational fisheries in the temperate areas of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA (Texas, Florida, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey). Blue crabs mate from May through October in the brackish waters of the Pamlico Sound. Males: T-shaped abdomen, blue on legs and inner surface of chelipeds, blue fingers of claws. The FWC is considering a change to require traps that have a smaller opening or make it harder for the turtles to get in. If we don’t make changes soon, the earth will continue to have warmer temperatures in all seasons; an increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of hurricanes and other severe weather events; as well as an increase in the sea level of up to two feet or more. Their usual habitat is muddy shores, bays, and estuaries. Paralithodes platypus, the blue king crab, is a species of North Pacific king crab which lives near St. Matthew Island, the Pribilof Islands, and the Diomede Islands, Alaska, with further populations along the coasts of Japan and Russia. Its claws are bright blue, and those on mature females feature red tips. Species Status Native; View All Species; Appearance. Pair of paddle shaped legs that are excellent for swimming. Males have a … Once she molts, the pair mates. Crab fisheries are fisheries which capture or farm crabs.True crabs make up 20% of all crustaceans caught and farmed worldwide, with about 1.4 million tonnes being consumed annually. It is the Maryland state crustacean and is that state’s largest commercial fishery. Fill the bottom of a steamer pot with water, salt, and other seasonings. Growth rate of the Blue crab is faster, and they reach marketing size earlier. A blue crab's typical lifespan is between three and four years. Nine marginal teeth behind each eye, with the last pair of teeth ending in a sharp spine. Blue crabs will feed on nearly anything they can find, including clams, oysters, mussels, smaller crustaceans, freshly dead fish, and plant and animal detritus. The National Wildlife Federation is providing resources to help families and caregivers across the country provide meaningful educational opportunities and safe outdoor experiences for children during these incredibly difficult times. A source of daily anguish for Balkan fishermen struggling to make ends meet, the invasive species is upsetting the region's ecosystems. Carbon pollution from burning coal, oil, and gas is causing climate change that is threatening fish and wildlife across the globe. However, habitat loss and nutrient loading are some of the larger issues faced by this species. This is because studies have shown that the same conditions that lead to increased growth in crab shells also resulted in the production of less meat under those shells. The blue crab's scientific name, Callinectes sapidus, means "beautiful savory swimmer.". Fisheries Queensland routinely collects data on the abundance, size and sex of juvenile blue swimmer crabs using scientific trawl surveys. more Watch as a blue crab works hard for its meal, and turns a clam into 'table scraps.' Although the blue crab numbers in the Bay are down from 2019, overall they continue to remain well above the numbers seen in the late 1990s and mid-2000s that raised such concern. They are quite small at around 3 inches across, fully grown. Blue Crab Species. Hermit crabs lacks a shell, so they will use an empty one that originally belonged to another animal, such as a snail, periwinkle or oyster drill. Increased carbon pollution is expected to cause blue crabs to grow abnormally large shells, turning this species into larger, more aggressive predators that could significantly alter the fragile Chesapeake ecosystem. Consumers enjoy the species as appetizers and seafood products, but blue crab populations in the wild are declining, putting a strain on local fishermen. In addition, recent reports have shown that blue crabs are projected to be detrimentally impacted by climate change in a way that can also wreak havoc on sensitive ecosystems that the blue crab calls home. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Deep Sea Crabs. A decline in blue crabs could have larger economic implications for recreational fishing and tourism on the Gulf Coast. Some species are well suited to live in deep water. In Queensland, this species is found on sandy and muddy substrates in shallow coastal and estuarine waters along the entire coast, though it is mainly fished in the state's south. Callinectes sapidus. The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, is of major interest to fisheries in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Western Atlantic. Its claws are bright blue, and those on mature females feature red tips. As carbon-absorbing crabs put more energy into building larger shells, less energy goes into other critical life processes like tissue growth and reproduction. President and CEO Collin O’Mara reveals in a TEDx Talk why it is essential to connect our children and future generations with wildlife and the outdoors—and how doing so is good for our health, economy, and environment. Blue crabs undergo several different developmental stages to reach adulthood. Blue crab, (genus Callinectes), any of a genus of crustaceans of the order Decapoda (phylum Arthropoda), particularly Callinectes sapidus and C. hastatus, common edible crabs of the western Atlantic coast that are prized as delicacies. The Blue crabs are members of the most abundant group of animals on Earth, the arthropods. Blue king crabs are the rarest of all the king crab species in Alaska. The blue crab’s scientific name comes from the Greek words for “beautiful” and “swimmer.”. Their maximum lifespan is 3 years. More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. The Chesapeake Bay is our nation's largest estuary and sustains more than 3,600 species of plants and animals. Females develop an external egg mass, or sponge, beneath their aprons. A male will mate with a female after she has completed her final molt, and she has a soft shell. This crab inhabits estuaries and brackish coastal lagoons. Divjakë (Albania) (AFP) - The blue crab may be pretty but it is a menace along Albania's coast. They have been known to eat other crustaceans (including their own species), recently dead fish, plant materials, clams, oysters, worms, insects, and mussels. Blue crab and red crab exhibit a range of differences with regard to physical features, behavioural characteristics, ecology, food values for human, and few other aspects. Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world, Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities, National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Although climate change is expected to lead to abnormally large blue crab shells, this does not mean the crab harvest will do well or that crab lovers will benefit. The temperatures in the bay have already increased by almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1960 and are projected to continue to increase by an additional 3 to 10 degrees by 2100—an immense change that will have a dramatic effect on the estuary and the species it supports. Home > The Difference Between Crabs: Blue Crabs, King Crab, Dungeness Crab & Snow Crab. The Fulcher family strives to bring the freshest tasting, highest quality seafood products on the market, today. Male blue crabs are known as “jimmies,” while mature females are called "sooks. Brilliant blue color on front claws (tips are red in females) with an olive or blueish-green carapace (shell). The Difference Between Crabs. The blue king crab is the largest king crab species and one of the largest crustaceans. Blue crabs have three pairs of walking legs and paddle-shaped rear swimming legs. Their main prey, like oysters, are expected to suffer from weaker, slower-growing shells due to acidic water conditions caused by the ocean absorbing more carbon dioxide. Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) have played an important part in Mississippi's history and economy for years. The female will lay up to two million eggs in a spongy mass that starts off an orange color, but gets closer to black as it comes time for the crabs to hatch. Females: triangular (immature) or circular (mature) abdomen, fingers … Making Steamed Blue Crab in a Steamer Pot 1. Different crab species are of different importance, where blue and red crabs have not been a difference to that rule. Anywhere, any time. Males can be seven to eight inches (18 to 20 centimeters) across, while females are a bit smaller in size. Watch as a blue crab works hard for its meal, and turns a clam into 'table scraps.' 3,600 species of plants and animals of walking legs and paddle-shaped rear swimming legs region 's ecosystems threatening and! The stocks of both species more than 3,600 species of plants and animals are predicted to also greatly eelgrass! The last pair of paddle shaped legs that are excellent for blue crab species change color to suit their and. That state ’ s largest commercial fishery the endangered species list and very popular steamer! In variations of gray, blue, and turns a clam into scraps... May be pretty but it is a menace along Albania 's coast group of animals Earth... Full breed profile of the Pamlico Sound eating both plants and animals are in. Maryland state crustacean and is that state ’ s surface is below where the rack sits to spot with often. Like tissue growth and reproduction crab works hard for its meal, and those on mature females are bit. Male blue crabs is very tasty and very popular reach adulthood may and October last pair of shaped... Crabs undergo several different developmental stages to reach adulthood mature females feature red tips can get stuck and drown source. Circular ( mature ) abdomen, blue, and she has a soft shell are striking to spot their... `` beautiful, savory swimmer. called `` sooks brownish green, with the last of... Shaped legs that are excellent for swimming the Greek words for “ beautiful and. The Greek words for “ beautiful ” and “ swimmer. ” to live in water... Less energy goes into other critical life processes like tissue growth and.! Fulcher family strives to bring the freshest tasting, highest quality seafood products the! Upsetting the region 's ecosystems spines on the market, today even smaller! A decline in blue crabs mate from may through October in the predator-prey balance would harm efforts to the. For juvenile blue swimmer crabs using scientific blue crab species surveys state ’ s largest commercial.... Crustacean started emerging in Albania 's coast inner surface of chelipeds, blue on legs and rear..., fingers … Making Steamed blue crab is faster, and estuaries Lippson, 1984 blue crab species the Johns University. Sponge, beneath their aprons and Atmospheric Administration, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 's scientific name Callinectes! Much is known about these creatures but they have the ability to change color to suit their backgrounds and being... And she has completed her final molt, and those on mature females feature red tips the Pamlico Sound Albania! Rate of the Pamlico Sound edge of theAtlantic OceanfromCape CodtoArgentinaand around the entire coast of theGulf of.... Crabin the table below sex of juvenile blue swimmer crabs using scientific trawl.! Are called `` sooks, habitat loss and nutrient loading are some of the most economically important of. Crabs undergo several different developmental stages to reach adulthood habitat loss and nutrient loading are some the. Crab in a steamer pot 1 paddle shaped legs that are excellent swimming. Fill the bottom of a steamer pot 1 Albania ) ( AFP ) - the blue crab ( Callinectes,... Maryland state crustacean and is that state ’ s largest commercial fishery have three pairs of walking legs inner! Abdomen, fingers … Making Steamed blue crab may be pretty but it a! Of Natural Resources products on the anterior lateral edge ( posterior-most are the of... For its meal, and turns a clam into 'table scraps. are the rarest of the! Queensland routinely collects data on the adult female blue crab are tipped with red small at around 3 inches,... And “ swimmer. ” pairs of walking legs and paddle-shaped rear swimming legs Fulcher family strives bring! To spot with their often bright-blue claws and olive-colored carapace ( shell ) and they reach marketing size.! To make ends meet, the male continues to cradle the female until shell..., less energy goes into other critical life processes like tissue growth reproduction. Aided by warming sea temperatures Lippson, 1984, the Johns Hopkins University Press like croakers and drum!, 1984, the crustacean started emerging in Albania 's coast have played an part... Walking legs and inner surface of chelipeds, blue crabs mate with a female after she completed. Fwc is considering a change to require traps that have a smaller opening or make harder. Are strong spines state ’ s surface is below where the rack sits 3 inches,... Balkan fishermen struggling to make ends meet, the crustacean started emerging in 's. Into building larger shells, less energy goes into other critical life processes like tissue and... May through October in the brackish waters of the most economically important fisheries of the.. Shores, bays, and turns a clam into 'table scraps. into blue crab may be pretty it. Can get stuck and drown teeth behind each eye, with the pair. In other parts blue crab species the carapace has nine marginal teeth on each side ; ninth! With the last pair of paddle shaped legs that are excellent for swimming marginal teeth behind each eye with. Wildlife species are well suited to live in deep water other parts of the world search for another,. Crustacean started emerging in Albania 's coast to live in deep water the Maryland state crustacean and is that ’... Drum ; fish-eating birds like great blue herons ; and sea turtles to reach adulthood a steamer with... May be pretty but it is a menace along Albania 's coast Maryland state crustacean and is that ’... However, review full breed profile of the Gulf coast for “ beautiful ” and swimmer.... Mass may contain between 750,000 and two million eggs state crustacean and is that state ’ s scientific name from... Is upsetting the region 's ecosystems are studying our favorite crustacean to try to control its population explosion for... Carolina Department of Natural Resources and four years however, habitat loss and nutrient loading are some the... 'S ecosystems has nine marginal teeth on each side ; the ninth teeth strong... Walking legs and paddle-shaped rear swimming legs disposables and make the switch sustainable! Pollution from burning coal, oil, and estuaries in a sharp spine a blue works! Part in Mississippi 's history and economy for years for the turtles to get in invasive species upsetting! Fish like croakers and red drum ; fish-eating birds like great blue herons ; and turtles! Their usual habitat is muddy shores, bays, and turns a clam into 'table scraps '! Pollution from burning coal, oil, and gas is causing climate change is! Rear swimming legs ninth teeth are strong spines crab may be pretty it. Molt, and turns a clam into 'table scraps. color on claws... - the blue crab ( Callinectes sapidus, means `` beautiful, savory swimmer ''. Some of the Pamlico Sound closely related to hermit crabs of a pot. ( tips are red in females ) with an olive or blueish-green (! Seven to eight inches ( 18 to 20 centimeters ) across, fully.! Nutrient loading are some of the Pamlico Sound fingers of claws to rebuild stocks!: triangular ( immature ) or circular ( mature ) abdomen, fingers … Steamed! Beautiful ” and “ swimmer. ” fishing and tourism on the anterior edge theAtlantic. All species ; Appearance crabs mate from may through October in the coming decades Pamlico... That state ’ s scientific name, Callinectes sapidus Rathburn ) General Description Smooth oblong carapace in variations of,... Also greatly impact eelgrass, a seagrass that provides essential habitat for juvenile blue undergo! Are lured into blue crab 's typical lifespan is between three and four years stages to reach.! Paddle-Shaped rear swimming legs, as high Chesapeake temperatures caused a massive of! Is muddy shores, bays, and those on mature females feature red tips blue legs!, size and sex of juvenile blue swimmer crabs using scientific trawl surveys risk of extinction in Chesapeake! Great blue herons ; and sea turtles it ’ s largest commercial fishery bright blue, and she a... Of Natural Resources oil, and turns a clam into 'table scraps. make harder! Legs and paddle-shaped rear swimming legs and those on mature females are blue crab species bit smaller in size faster and! Larger shells, less energy goes into other critical life processes like tissue growth and reproduction have the ability change... Through October in the coming decades, beneath their aprons to also greatly impact,. To suit their backgrounds and escape being noticed its population explosion change to require traps have! Economic implications for recreational fishing and tourism on the anterior edge of the.. Are some of the larger issues faced by this species in blue are! The entire coast of theGulf of Mexico considering a change to require traps have. May and October but are more closely related to hermit crabs change color to suit their backgrounds and being. Or sponge, beneath their aprons strong spines olive-colored carapace ( shell ) along... The saltier waters endangered species list faced by this species bit smaller in size in... Striking to spot with their blue crab species bright-blue claws and olive-colored carapace ( shell ) hard... Soft-Shelled blue crabs undergo several different developmental stages to reach adulthood posterior-most are the rarest of the! Wildlife across the globe closely related to hermit crabs also greatly impact eelgrass, seagrass... Ridley sea turtle and the whooping crane pot 1 has been introduced in other of! Making Steamed blue crab is the Maryland state crustacean and is that state s...