Comments on: California Crabs —

By: kenjones

kenjones — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 20:51:09 +0000

Sorry, but I don’t see any picture. Ken

By: Debbie Beach

Debbie Beach — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 01:44:36 +0000

While walking at Carpinteria beach I found a dead crab and took a picture of it. I’ve never seen one like this on the beach and wondering if I sent you a picture, you could tell me what kind of crab. There is a lot of allege on it, but it has pink and a blue purplish color on it claws and body. thank you,

By: kenjones

kenjones — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 16:58:48 +0000

I think the best piers in SoCal might be Santa Monica and Stearns Wharf (Santa Barbara) but others can also yield a few crabs. As for crab snares, no they are illegal due to different regulations (caused in part because lobsters are found in SoCal and snares would be an illegal method to take them). A hoop net is allowed to take crabs and lobsters.

By: Freddy

Freddy — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 03:11:33 +0000

Do you recommend any piers in particular for catching crab in SoCal?

And, am I correct in understanding that crab snares are illegal in SoCal?

What about something like this? https://slickdeals.net/f/11370499-south-bend-2-ring-crab-net-for-2-20-at-walmart

By: kenjones

kenjones — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 20:25:04 +0000

Thanks and you’ll see that I’ve made considerable changes from the original post. I have two new “Crab” advisors and look forward to any advice you may have in the future.

By: Nin Gan

Nin Gan — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 02:44:23 +0000

Hi Ken, I’m an instructor at Saddleback College with a marine biology background specializing in crabs! I noticed some of the pictures were not matched with the right species. I would like to offer my feedback!

All three of the rock crab (Romaleon antennarius) pictures are actually of the red rock crab (Cancer productus).

In the sheep crab section, the little boy, holding a small crab “A small sheep crab (spider crab) from Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara) is a decorator crab.

I don’t know the max size limit of the kelp crab (Pugettia producta), but I assure you it does not reach a 9.6 inch carapace width.
The picture “Kelp crab from the San Clemente Pier (missing part of a leg)” is not the Northern kelp crab (Pugettia producta), it’s a Southern kelp crab (Taliepus nutalli).

The picture “Red crab and rock crab from the Pillar Point Pier” is actually a red rock crab (or red crab if you’d rather) top right, and a slender crab (Metacarcinus gracilis) bottom left.

The picture “Red crab on top, rock crab on the bottom – from transbaby” <– maybe you meant 'transbay'? But anyway, it's reversed, the rock crab is on top and red crab is on the bottom.

Also with the "weird crab" I agree with Jensen on the Loxorynchus sp.

Hope this helps!

By: Gregory Jensen

Gregory Jensen — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 04:34:20 +0000

The three photos labelled as ‘antennarium’ are all Cancer productus. Pacific or brown rock crabs have much more distinct red freckles on the underside, and the teeth between the eyes do not project forward like they do in red rock crabs. The teeth along the edge of the carapace are also very different in shape.
The mystery crab is a juvenile Loxorhynchus, not Oregonia. Probably the moss crab, L. crispatus.

By: kenjones

kenjones — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 18:23:45 +0000

Adam, Retired marine biologist Paul Gregory replied to your question — The racer crab is: Platymera gaudichaudii
http://mexfish.com/fish/pacoboxcr/pacoboxcr.htm

By: kenjones

kenjones — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 18:16:59 +0000

Thanks Paul, I appreciate the help. For those who do not know, Paul is a retired marine biologist who worked for the California Department of Fish and Game.

By: Paul Gregory

Paul Gregory — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 05:51:57 +0000

Your weird crab is a decorator crab:
Oregonia gracilis Dana, 1851
Graceful Decorator Crab
http://www.bily.com/pnwsc/web-content/Crustacean%20Identification.html

The racer crab is:
Platymera gaudichaudii
http://mexfish.com/fish/pacoboxcr/pacoboxcr.htm