The spiny crab is a Far Eastern representative of hermit crabs, the weight of which can range from 800 g to 2 kg. Distributed in the northeast Pacific. Its carapace is up to 14 cm wide, with thick spikes on its powerful claws and back.
Distribution
The spiny crab is distributed along the western-eastern coast of Kamchatka, near Cape Lopatka, in the bays of the Kamchatka and Chukchi coasts, on Shikotan Island, in the southern part of the Bering Sea, in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan, in the Kuriles and Sakhalin. The highest density of accumulations of such hermit crabs is observed in the bays of Korfa and Karaginsky. The largest individuals live off the southeastern coast of Kamchatka.
Habitat
Prickly crabs thrive at depths of 25m, but in southern waters they can go much deeper. The maximum depth is about 350 m. Favorite habitats of such crustaceans have their own characteristics and characteristics: these are zones dominated by stony and rocky soils with a pronounced algal community and a fairly developed microrelief.
This kind of crayfishcalmly endures wintering in waters with low temperatures, but often swims in the mouths of rivers, where the water is not as cold as on the coast of the seas. Spiny crabs have adapted to fresh water, so anglers should not be surprised when they find them in their nets.
Such crayfish have no migrations, they have been on the same coast for years. In the middle of summer there is a seasonal molt, and at this time their capture is prohibited. During warm periods, from about May to September, breeding occurs. The fertility of females is about 30 thousand eggs. However, up to 40% of them die.
Appearance description
These representatives of crustaceans are characterized by a red or burgundy-red color of the shell and claws. On the cephalothoracic region, the spines reach 1/6 of the entire size of the crab. If you look at the photo of a spiny crab, you can see that its right claw is larger than its left. By the way, they are also covered with spikes. The rostrum is small, with a blunt tip of the lower process, often club-shaped swollen. As a rule, there is a small spine between it and the dorsal spines.
The average size of males is from 11 to 14 cm, females - from 10 to 13 cm. A distinctive feature of the latter is a blue rounded abdomen. The offspring have more spines than adults. The spiny crab has no subspecies, and its closest relative is the king crab.
When faced with an enemy, this hermit crab is always on the defensive. Defends with claws, standing on three pairs of limbs, and fights to the end.
Production
Industrial production of such crustaceans -very profitable business. The price for one living individual varies from four to six thousand rubles. Catching is carried out in the Bering, Japanese, Okhotsk Seas and on the coast of Kamchatka. Due to some difficulties in catching aground, the prey of spiny crabs is carried out with the help of scuba divers. Residents of the Far East are also engaged in amateur fishing: they take the males and release the females.
But not everyone is conscientious about catching, often it is carried out by poachers. Illegal mining of hermit crabs data is measured in thousands of tons.
Taste properties
Prickly crab is a real delicacy that every gourmet wants to enjoy. Its meat is sweetish, juicy, not as fibrous and tender as that of the king crab, but more satisfying. This representative of crayfish contains many trace elements and the necessary set of vitamins, abundant reserves of protein and amino acids. Not only meat is used for food, but also the shell - crab broth is cooked from it, which is also rich in trace elements. In general, a solid benefit. Therefore, this dish is recommended for people who carefully monitor their figure and he alth.
