Ar-1490 BLUE CRAB, Callinectus sapidus

A large, colorful crab that will savagely pinch a finger or tear a fish to shreds. The famous edible crab of the seafood industry, its bad disposition is redeemed by its delicious taste. Maintained in isolation from other specimens, their elaborate feeding behavior can be observed. They meticulously open juvenile oysters by expertly turning them and prying the hinges apart. Sometimes a blue crab can be observed delicately cleaning its own carapace. Blue crabs are used by physiologists to study vision and quick muscular responses. Size 12-14 cm.