The blue crab is so named because of its sapphire-tinted claws. This species can weigh up to 8 kg (18 pounds), and it's notable for having bigger pincers than all other crabs. These types of crabs are characterized by their blue highlights and extremely sharp shells. #1 Males tend to have flakier meat. True crabs typically have quite a short projecting “tail” and the reduced abdomen is hidden entirely under the thorax. Blue crabs have two large claws, six thin walking legs, and two paddle-like swimming legs, which propel them through brackish waters. Blue crabs are in the Atlantic Ocean, from Maine to Florida, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Four spines on the anterior edge of the carapace, 9 spines on the anterior lateral edge (posterior-most are the largest). You can find them in the depth of 36 m beneath the sea. Blue Crab Wikipedia.org. They’re caught with dredges, traps, and bottom trawls, and also as a by-catch on shrimp boats. The #1 Male crab, also known as a “Jimmy”, are typically the most sought after type of crab. Distribution Blue crabs live in estuaries along the east coasts of North and South America. Types of crab: the ultimate guide to Dungeness crab, blue crab, king crab, snow crab, and more. They’re called ‘king’ for a good reason, they weigh between 6-8lbs. March Cookbook of the Month: Jubilee by Toni Tipton-Martin Discuss Newsletter Shop Site Feedback FAQ / Help Center Its shell, or carapace, is actually a mottled brownish color, and mature females have red highlights on the tips of their pincers. The blue king crab (Paralithodes platypus) is another very valuable species found in the Bering Sea, more particularly in St. Matthew Island and the Pribilof and Diomede Islands.As the name points out, they have a brown color with blue reflections. Males: T-shaped abdomen, blue on legs and inner surface of chelipeds, blue fingers of claws. These crabs are incredibly sweet—and many aficionados prefer them to any other type of crab. Mangrove crabs live in swamps across Asia and Australia. Blue crabs are bottom-dwellers in every type of habitat from the saltiest water of the gulf to the almost fresh water of the back bays and estuaries, from the low tide line to waters 120 feet (36 m) deep. Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathburn) General Description Smooth oblong carapace in variations of gray, blue, or brownish green. 1. They typically range from 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches. When these crabs are in their soft shell form they are mushy with the gill and stomach area so thin that you can see through to the meat. The East coast of the United States has an abundant number of different types of crab. King crabs are divided by region and species, being 3 different types of crabs- red, blue and brown, and whether their caught in the Bering Sea or other Atlantic Alaskan waters. Sep 22, 2017 - Types Of Crabs - There are about 850 types of crabs that are found throughout tropical and semi-tropical regions. It could reach its length up to 23 cm with its weight up to 0.9 kg. (some getting as large as 20lbs. Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Blue crab or also known as Atlantic blue crab and Chesapeake blue crab. This type of crab is native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. When the Blue crab matures, they molt their shells which leaves them vulnerable and edible. Jumbo. Types of Sea Urchins; 3. In Maine and parts of Canada, diners can find the so called peekytoe or bay crab, while the blue or softshell crab favors many parts of the East Coast, especially Maryland. These savory swimmers are crustaceans, sporting a hard shell, typically dark grey, blue, or brownish green in color, and as large as five inches across. They are easily identified by their blue claws and inverted t-shaped apron which resembles the Washington Monument. Blue Crabs.