(Djupfest - Sør-Trøndelag / 16 meters / 10.13.2002)

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Crustacea

Subclass: Malacostraca

Order: Decapoda

Suborder: Pleocyemata

Infraorder: Brachyura

Family: Portunidae

Scientific name: Liocarcinus depurator

 

Norwegian: vanlig svømmekrabbe

Distribution: Very common along the entire Norwegian coast. It lives on any depth from the tidal zone to 450 meters.

Characteristics: Easily distinguished from the common shore crab by the paddle shaped fifth pair of legs. The two arches of light spots on the back are easy to recognize as well. The color varies from light brown to almost red. The body can grow 5 cm wide and 4 cm long. It is also known as Polybius depurator.

All pictures: