Red King Crabタラバガニ

Species Data

Classification

Decapoda (Anomura) / Lithodidae Source

Size

A large crustacean with a carapace width of about 25 cm and a leg span of over 1 m

Weight

Adult males harvested in the Bering Sea average about 2.9 kg

Lifespan

Males about 30–31 years, females about 25–34 years; sexual maturity at around 10 years

Diet

Carnivore Carnivorous, feeding on small benthic animals such as polychaete worms and mollusks

Distribution

Native to cold North Pacific waters below 10°C, from the Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea to the Arctic Ocean, ranging south to Sado, Japan and north to Arctic Alaska; introduced to the Barents Sea by the Soviet Union in the 1960s, where it is now an established invasive species. Source

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

• Despite its name, it is more closely related to hermit crabs than true crabs—evidenced by the asymmetrical abdomen of females. Source
• Living specimens are dark purple, turning bright orange-red only when cooked—the color that gives the species its English name. Source

FAQ

Is the red king crab a true crab?

No—taxonomically it belongs to Anomura, the same group as hermit crabs, not the true crabs (Brachyura), as shown by the asymmetry of the female's abdomen. Source

Why is it called 'red' king crab if it looks dark purple alive?

Its living shell is dark purple; it only turns the familiar bright red-orange color after being cooked. Source

How many operating facilities are registered here?

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1 Source

Books & gear

• Red King Crab book
• binoculars