Red rock crab, brick red cancer crab • Cancer productus
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Red rock crabs photographed by Elizabeth Bailey (right, note black claw tips), Sienna Hamilton (top left), Jennifer Elliot (middle left), and Jenn Burt (bottom left). Bottom left photo shows a juvenile marked with white lines.
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Identification
The red rock crab can be identified by its dark brick-red carapace and legs. The ends of its pincers (claws) are tipped with black. It is widest at the 8th, and next to last, lateral tooth back from the eye along the edge of its carapace. Adult males reach 20 cm wide and females reach 15.5 cm. Juvenile red rock crabs are varying shades of white to dark. Dark juveniles may be marked with a pattern of white lines. Click here for underwater footage and photos that show adult and juvenile colourings.
Habitat & Range
The red rock crab is found in both rocky and soft sediments from the intertidal to depths of 90 m. Its range extends along the West coast of North America from Alaska to Mexico.
Similar Species
A juvenile of this species may be mistaken for a dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister), as it may not yet have the black tips on its pincers. The dungeness has finer toothing in the front of the carapace and is widest at the tenth and last tooth back from the eyes.
Human Uses
The red rock crab is the target of an important recreational and First Nations fishery, although dungeness is preferred because they are found in greater abundance and yield more meat. Harvest regulations are in place for both species to help prevent overharvesting; see Fisheries and Oceans Canada's regulations for more information. Click here for a video of dungeness and red rock crab fishing (a red rock crab is caught at 2:15).
Intriguing Info
Watch out for the claws of this species, as they are very large and powerful!
The red rock crab can be identified by its dark brick-red carapace and legs. The ends of its pincers (claws) are tipped with black. It is widest at the 8th, and next to last, lateral tooth back from the eye along the edge of its carapace. Adult males reach 20 cm wide and females reach 15.5 cm. Juvenile red rock crabs are varying shades of white to dark. Dark juveniles may be marked with a pattern of white lines. Click here for underwater footage and photos that show adult and juvenile colourings.
Habitat & Range
The red rock crab is found in both rocky and soft sediments from the intertidal to depths of 90 m. Its range extends along the West coast of North America from Alaska to Mexico.
Similar Species
A juvenile of this species may be mistaken for a dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister), as it may not yet have the black tips on its pincers. The dungeness has finer toothing in the front of the carapace and is widest at the tenth and last tooth back from the eyes.
Human Uses
The red rock crab is the target of an important recreational and First Nations fishery, although dungeness is preferred because they are found in greater abundance and yield more meat. Harvest regulations are in place for both species to help prevent overharvesting; see Fisheries and Oceans Canada's regulations for more information. Click here for a video of dungeness and red rock crab fishing (a red rock crab is caught at 2:15).
Intriguing Info
Watch out for the claws of this species, as they are very large and powerful!
References
Cancer productus (Randall 1940). Marine Biodiversity of British Columbia. Accessed 09/02/2013.
Cowles, D. (2005). Cancer productus Randall, 1839. Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 19/03/2015.
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 78-79.
Authors and editors of page
Chanda Brietzke, Kelly Fretwell, and Brian Starzomski (2013).
Cancer productus (Randall 1940). Marine Biodiversity of British Columbia. Accessed 09/02/2013.
Cowles, D. (2005). Cancer productus Randall, 1839. Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 19/03/2015.
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 78-79.
Authors and editors of page
Chanda Brietzke, Kelly Fretwell, and Brian Starzomski (2013).
