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From Little Crab to Giant Crab: Do you know how amazing the growth process of cancer crabs is?
Cancer pagurus, also known as the edible crab or brown crab, is a crab species found in the North Sea, North Atlantic, and possibly the Mediterranean. The sturdy crab is grey-brown in color, with an oval carapace with a distinctive "pie-shell" edge and black claw tips. A mature adult crab can have a carapace width of up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) and a weight of up to 3 kilograms (about 6.5 pounds). This crab is a nocturnal predator that mainly preys on various molluscs and other crustaceans. It has become the core of the largest crab fishery in Western Europe and is an important species with large catches.
According to statistics, more than 60,000 tons of cancer crabs are caught every year.
Growth characteristics and life cycle
The adult carapace of C. pagurus is dark reddish brown, while younger specimens are purplish brown with occasional white spots. The front edge of the carapace has nine rounded ridges, like the edges of a pie. The usual carapace length of males is 60 mm (approximately 2.25 inches), while in females it is 98 mm (approximately 3.75 inches), and in special cases can reach 150 mm (approximately 6 inches). The growth rate of this crab typically increases by 10 millimeters per year in males before age 8, and then slows to 2 millimeters per year after age 8. The growth rate of females is about half that of males, which may be related to their energy requirements for reproduction and egg laying.
When a female crab lays eggs, she can hold 250,000 to 3,000,000 fertilized eggs until they hatch for up to eight months.
Ecology and distribution
C. pagurus is abundant throughout the north-east Atlantic, from Norway to North Africa, inhabiting waters mixed with coarse sand and mud, usually in shallow waters to depths of 100 meters (300 feet). These adult crabs are nocturnal, hiding in the substrate of the seafloor during the day and active at night, reaching up to 50 meters (about 150 feet). Crabs' diet consists primarily of a variety of crustaceans and molluscs, and they may hunt moving prey by lurking or by surprise.
Diseases and Parasites
Compared with other commercially important crab species, C. pagurus suffers from relatively few known diseases. Its parasites include white spot virus, various bacteria, and flesh pathogens that can cause black lesions on its exoskeleton. However, research has found that these crabs are also threatened by microbial pathogens, such as fungi and microsporidians.
Fisheries status
C. pagurus is heavily fished throughout its range and is one of the most important commercial crab species in Western Europe. Crab pot fishing risks overfishing, especially in British and Irish waters. It is estimated that catches of this species have increased significantly and that overfishing is already an issue.
The eventual increase in catches raises questions about the future sustainability of these species.
Eating and Cooking
About one-third of the body weight of an adult edible crab is edible meat, half of which is white meat from the claws, and the other half is white and brown meat from the body. This kind of crab is cooked in many styles, depending on gender. The meat of male crabs is sweeter while the taste of female crabs is richer. Common cooking methods include steaming, making crab salad, soup, etc.
Conclusion
The growth process of C. pagurus and its role in ecosystems make it an important part of understanding marine biodiversity. This amazing life cycle from baby crab to mature crab demonstrates the wonder and transformation of nature. Whether in fisheries or ecology, this crab is closely related to modern human life. Can we enjoy delicious food while also protecting the future of this precious species?
