Blue crab
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Crustacea Class: Malacostraca Order: Decapoda Suborder: Pleocyemata Infraorder: Brachyura Family: Portunidae Genus: Callinectes Species: C. sapidus
Binomial name
Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus, from the Greek calli="beautiful", nectes="swimmer", and Latin sapidus="savory") is a crustacean found in the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, which is the Maryland State Crustacean and the subject of an extensive fishery.^[1] They can deliver an extremely painful pinch and are noted for being particularly aggressive (even out of the water, they will lunge towards movement they consider a threat) and difficult to handle safely. Binomial name Portunus pelagicus Linnaeus, 1758 Portunus pelagicus, also known as the flower crab, blue swimming crab or sand crab, is a large crab found in the intertidal estuaries of the Indian and Pacific Oceans (Asian coasts) and the Middle-Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. ... Download high resolution version (1454x1091, 200 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Subphyla and Classes Subphylum Trilobitomorpha Trilobita - trilobites (extinct) Subphylum Chelicerata Arachnida - spiders,scorpions, etc. ... For the Dutch band, see Crustacean (band). ... // Subclasses Eumalacostraca Hoplocarida Phyllocarida See text for orders. ... Suborders Dendrobranchiata Pleocyemata See text for superfamilies. ... Infraorders Caridea Stenopodidea Reptantia, divided into: Polychelida Achelata Glypheoidea Astacidea Thalassinidea Anomala Brachyura Pleocyemata is a sub-order of decapod crustaceans, erected by Martin Burkenroad in 1963. ... For other uses, see Crab (disambiguation). ... Genera Portunidae is the family containing the swimming crabs. ... Species Callinectes arcuatus Callinectes bellicosus Callinectes bocourti Callinectes danae Callinectes exasperatus Callinectes larvatus Callinectes marginatus Callinectes ornatus Callinectes rathbunae Callinectes sapidus Callinectes similis Callinectes is a genus of crabs, including the blue crab, . Members of the genus Callinectes have a pair of flat rear legs (pereiopods) shaped like oars. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Dr. Mary Jane Rathbun (January 11, 1860 — April 4, 1943) was an American marine biologist. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... For the Dutch band, see Crustacean (band). ... Gulf of Mexico in 3D perspective. ...

Distribution and ecology

The blue crab is native to the western edge of the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to Argentina.^[2] It has been introduced (via ballast water) to Japanese and European waters, and has been observed from the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.^[3] Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit (Latin: One defends and the other conquers) Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 11 Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867... Ballast is used in sailboats to provide moment to resist the lateral forces on the sail. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Baltic (disambiguation). ... The North Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the coasts of Norway and Denmark in the east, the coast of the British Isles in the west, and the German, Dutch, Belgian and French coasts in the south. ... Mediterranean redirects here. ... For other uses, see Black Sea (disambiguation). ...

The natural predators of the blue crab include eels, drum, spot, trout, some sharks, and cownose sting rays. The blue crab is an omnivore, eating both plants and animals. Blue crabs typically consume thin-shelled bivalves, annelids, fish, plants and nearly any other item they can find, including carrion. For other uses, see Eel (disambiguation). ... Genera See text. ... Binomial name Leiostomus xanthurus Lacépède, 1802 The spot croaker or simply spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) is a small saltwater fish. ... For other uses, see Trout (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Shark (disambiguation). ... This article is about the fish. ... Pigs are omnivores. ... Orders Subclass Protobranchia Solemyoida Nuculoida Subclass Pteriomorphia - oysters Arcoida Mytiloida Pterioida Subclass Paleoheterodonta - mussels Trigoinoida Unionoida Subclass Heterodonta - clams, zebra mussels Veneroida Myoida Subclass Anomalosdesmata Pholadomyoida Animals of the Class Bivalvia are known as bivalves because they typically have two-part shells, with both parts being more or less symmetrical. ... Classes and subclasses Class Polychaeta (paraphyletic?) Class Clitellata    Oligochaeta - Earthworms and others    Acanthobdellida    Branchiobdellida    Hirudinea - Leeches Class Myzostomida Class Archiannelida (polyphyletic) Class Echiura *Some authors consider the subclasses under Clitellata to be classes The annelids, collectively called Annelida, are a large phylum of animals, comprising the segmented worms, with about... For other uses, see Fish (disambiguation). ... u fuck in ua ... An American Black Vulture feeding on squirrel carrion For other uses, see Carrion (disambiguation). ...

Commercial importance in the United States

The Chesapeake Bay, shared by Maryland and Virginia, is famous for its blue crabs, and they are one of the most important economic items harvested from it. In 1993, the combined harvest of the blue crabs was valued at around 100 million U.S. dollars. Over the years the harvests of the blue crab dropped; in 2000, the combined harvest was around 45 million dollars. Late in the twentieth century, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources created stricter guidelines for harvesting blue crabs to help increase populations^{[citation needed]}. These include raising the legal size from 5 to 5¼ inches (from 12.7 to 13.3 cm) and limiting the days and times they may be caught. The Chesapeake Bay - Landsat photo The Chesapeake Bay where the Susquehanna River empties into it. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Largest metro area Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 101 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is a Government agency in the state of Maryland charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, public lands, state forests, and recreation areas. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ...

While blue crabs remain a popular food in the Chesapeake Bay area, the Bay is not capable of meeting local demand. Crabs are shipped into the region from North Carolina, Louisiana, Florida and Texas to supplement the local harvest. Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ...

Harvesting techniques

Blue Crab

Blue crabs are often harvested by using a "crabpot", although line crabbing (using a baited line similar to fishing) is also popular among amateur "crabbers". The design of a crabpot can vary widely, but nearly all varieties are made out of wire mesh (older designs of wood and wire also exist, as well as all metal varieties). The crabpot is usually cubical or prismatic in shape (although cylindrical designs are also used). The crabpot contains two to four "entrances" for the crabs that prohibit exit. These may be as simple as hinged panels that are drawn closed as the crabpot is raised from the water, or may be in the form of a tapered or conical aperture that allows the crab to squeeze through in one direction only. A crabpot is baited with any of several types of meat, including bunker, bluefish, chicken or eel. The bait is placed in a holding spot (often a separate meshed enclosure preventing the crabs from completely removing the bait) in the middle or bottom of the pot. Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish by hooking, trapping, or gathering. ... A cube[1] is a three-dimensional solid object bounded by six square faces, facets or sides, with three meeting at each vertex. ... In geometry, an n-sided prism is a polyhedron made of an n-sided polygonal base, a translated copy, and n faces joining corresponding sides. ... This article is about the geometric object, for other uses see Cone. ... a big (1) and a small (2) aperture For other uses, see Aperture (disambiguation). ... The menhadens comprise two genera of marine fish in the family Clupeidae. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ), called tailor in Australia,[1] is a species of popular marine game-fish found in all climates. ... For other uses, see Eel (disambiguation). ...

The pots are distributed throughout the crabber's harvesting area and are checked approximately once a day for captures or depleted bait. Crabs that are caught are removed, and the pot is re-baited for the next day. Some people^{[citation needed]} add the catch from each pot to a "keeper pot" that holds the live crabs until a substantial harvest is accumulated. When the keeper pot is appreciably full, the contents are prepared for a "crab feast" or for sale. The keeper pot also allows a crabber to fatten up the crabs until the time they are cooked.

Preparation

Blue crabs are most often eaten in the hard shell, after steaming them in large pots with water, vinegar and seasoning (Old Bay Seasoning is a popular variety in Maryland). The cooked crabs are cracked by hand, and the meat pulled out and eaten directly. The picked meat, especially the large chunks from the backfin area, can also be used to make crab cakes, crab soup, or other dishes. Old Bay Seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices that is currently marketed by McCormick & Company. ... A garnished crabcake Crab cakes (or crabcakes) are patties made of crab meat. ... For other uses, see Soup (disambiguation). ...

Crabs caught just after molting (before the new shell has had time to harden) are prepared as soft shell crabs. Soft shell crabs are prepared by first cutting out the gills, face, and guts. The crab is then battered in flour, egg, and seasoning, then fried in oil until crispy. The result can be served as an entrée, or in a sandwich. Blue crab on fish market in Piraeus, Greece Soft shell crab is a seafood delicacy with the entire crustacean capable of being eaten, a result of catching and cooking crabs shortly after they molt their hard shell. ... For the university exchange program ENTREE, see European Network for Training and Research in Electrical Engineering. ...

Blue crabs average 15% edible meat, and that meat is high in vitamin B₁₂. Just three ounces of crab meat contain a full day's allowance of the vitamin. Cobalamin or vitamin B12 is a chemical compound that is also known as cyanocobalamine. ... Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is the daily dietary intake level of a nutrient considered sufficient to meet the requirements of nearly all (97–98%) healthy individuals in each life-stage and gender group. ...

References

The Great Seal of Maryland The Flag of Maryland The Government of Maryland is conducted according to the Maryland Constitution. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• The Maryland Blue Crab Blue crab fact and information website.
• Bait for Blue Crab Blue crab bait and information website.