(Djupfest - Sør-Trøndelag / 17 meters / 10.12.2002)

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Crustacea

Subclass: Malacostraca

Order: Decapoda

Suborder: Pleocyemata

Infraorder: Brachyura

Family: Portunidae

Scientific name: Carcinus maenas

 

Norwegian: strandkrabbe

Distribution: This green or brown crab, also known as green crab, is very common over almost the entire world. In Norway you will find it as far north as Troms. It is usually seen in the tidal zone, but is registered as deep as 200 meters.

Characteristics: The shell can be as wide as 8 cm. The front of the shell has five spikes on either sides of the eyes. The back is colored in different shades of green or brown. The underside and claws are usually yellow.

The common shore crab is well known among kids playing by the seaside. It is eadible, but has no commercial interest in Norway.

All pictures: