These pages will provide detailed information on the blue crab, and can be very helpful in locating and catching this crustacean. I hope these pages will provide information for those interested in marine recreation as well as providing a tasty meal as the end result.

The scientific name (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) of the blue crab aptly describes the species. It was derived from Latin and Greek: Calli, beautiful; nectes, swimmer; and, sapidus, savory. A literal translation might be the beautiful savory swimmer. Rathbun refers to the late Dr. Mary Rathbun, who described the species in 1896.

The blue crab is one of the most common marine invertebrates living in estuaries in the Western Atlantic Ocean. The common range of the blue crab is from New England to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Periodic appearances of the blue crab have also been noted in parts of Europe, most likely due to transportation of the species in ships ballast. The blue crab may be found in salt, fresh and brackish waters but is most prevalent in brackish water, a mixture of fresh and salt waters.

As a scavenger, blue crabs eat edible wastes in the water. Crabs are also predators. They feed on clams, oyster and mussel beds, as well as some types of marsh grasses and seaweeds.

The blue crab may grow up to eight inches lengthwise across the shell. Like most large crustaceans, the blue crab has a hard shell, or carapace. The carapace ranges in color from olive, brown, or reddish, to varying shades of blue and is made of chitin that is hardened with calcium. The eyes, which rest on short stalks, are compound eyes, like those of insects. Stalked compound eyes permit the crab to see even the smallest of movements in almost all directions. As a true crab, the blue crab has five pairs of legs. In the male, these legs have a bluish-grey color and are the source of the common name "blue crab". In the female, however, the tips of the legs are reddish-orange.

To some people blue crabs are as much a part of a summer vacation as sun bathing. Recreational crabbing is a popular, relatively inexpensive, and a family oriented outdoor activity that usually provides a tasty and nutritious meal. Most people "crab" primarily "to catch crabs to eat", for others it is a "family and friends, food plus the outing", but the food is always the main reason. The prospects of a "crab supper" is a necessary component of the crabbing experience.

It is estimated that approximately one third of saltwater anglers have participated in recreational crabbing at least once a year. Although crabbing is less prominent than the saltwater fishing, it is an important component of marine recreation. The blue crab supports a large recreational sport fishery as well a tremenduous commercial fishery. Many researchers, recreational and commercial fishermen, naturalists, and consumers hold the blue crab in very high esteem. The blue crab is a highly prized commodity to consumers.

Regulations for recreational crabbing should be reviewed. Be advised that regulations may be different on refuges and wildlife management areas.

This set of pages will discuss the Life Cycle and Identify the blue crab by sex and in all the adult stages. We will continue discussion with different methods of Crabbing, and for reference we will provide links to NJ Fish and Game regulations, Costal Tides, and links to Weather Forcasts. With our final pages we will finish up with some tasty Recipes.