Paralithodes camtschaticus

(Tilesius, 1815)

Vernacular names
English : Red king crab
French : Crabe royal du Kamtchatka

Classification
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Lithodidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Very large crab with thick legs, reaching a body length of 28 cm, a weight of 12 kg and a legspan up to 1.80 meters. Entire carapace and legs are covered with spiny projections. Coloration brownish-red with clearer underside.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the northern Pacific Ocean, from Kamchatka peninsula and Sea of Japan to Alaska. Introduced in northern Russia. Mostly found over sandy and muddy substrates, down to 200 m and more.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species’ status isn’t assessed but it is believed to be generally uncommon. Potentially vulnerable to overfishing and water warming.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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