WHATSTHATFISH
Crustaceans

Blue Crab

Callinectes sapidus

Also known as: American Blue Crab, Atlantic Blue Crab, Bluepoint, Brachyura Crab, Chesapeake Blue Crab, Common Blue Crab, Maryland Blue Crab, Portunid Crab, Shelling Crab, Swimming Crab, True Crab, Western Atlantic Blue Crab

Adult
@JolineCuracao · Curaçao - Marie Pampoen, Curaçao · June 20201 / 2
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Overview

Found either close to shore, or in much deeper waters, over mud, sand, shell, and sponge bottoms, of coral reefs, also in harbours, where they can be found feeding on trash!
Juveniles found in seagrass beds.

Brachyura crabs are considered true crabs, they have a short abdomen, four walking legs and a pair of clawed arms at the front.
Many thousands of species live worldwide in sea water, fresh water and on land.

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How to identify

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific, Western Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found either close to shore, or in much deeper waters, over mud, sand, shell, and sponge bottoms, of coral reefs, also in harbours, where they can be found feeding on trash!

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Adult photos 2

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumArthropoda
    3. classMalacostraca
    4. orderDecapoda
    5. familyPortunidae
    6. genusCallinectes
    7. speciesCallinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896

    SourcesWoRMSSeaLifeBase

    06

    More in the family

    Crabs (Portunidae)