Skip to content
crab
(Necora puber)
The spider crab belongs to the family of brachyuran crustaceans, where practically all types of crab are found (sea ox, sea crab, pink crab...).
What are and Characteristics of the Spider Crab
The Spider Crab It has a flat, hairy, unpronounced, and very hard shell.
One of the curiosities of the spider crab is that It sheds its shell up to 11 times throughout its life.. He does this so he can grow.
Its shell is wider than it is long and is usually red to dark brown or even a mixture of colors.
If we look at the crab's face, we will see that it has red eyes and 8 teeth between both eyes.
Its physical appearance is very similar to other crabs, Although they have hair covering their entire body, something quite distinctive. Also called the velvet crab in English-speaking countries.
Another way to differentiate crabs is by their very distinctive legs, which have black stripes that are visible to the naked eye. They have five pairs of legs in total, the first pair being large claws used for feeding and fighting.
An adult crab usually measures about 10 cm on average and typically weighs between 100 and 300 grams.
Their diet is based on algae, small fish that are already dead or too weak to fight.
The spider crabs They live among rocks, crevices and large stones close to the coast, in the Northwest Atlantic.
They use rocks for shelter and are very territorial marine animals, so they do not allow other animals to approach and are always ready to attack.
To differentiate the male crab from the female crab, you have to look at the abdomen; in the case of the male it is triangular, while that of the female is more rounded.
PREMIUM QUALITY
There are two types of crabs that are mainly distinguished by their capture area: the Atlantic or French velvet crab and the Galician velvet crab.
The Atlantic velvet crab can be distinguished at first glance by its color; it has less intense, more solid tones. Furthermore, it lacks the hairy covering that characterizes the Galician velvet crab.
Regarding the taste, The Galician spider crab has a firmer flavor.
Another difference between the two types of crabs is the fishing season. The Galician crab has a specific set of months, while the Atlantic crab can be caught every month of the year.
Nutritional values
La cooked crab It is a delicacy in gastronomy, its flavor and texture are admired by many cooks.
It's one of the shellfish that should be purchased regardless of size, since what's really important is the amount of meat inside.
| Nutrients | Quantity |
| Calories | 124 Kcal |
| Proteins | 19,5 gr |
| Total Fats | 5,1 gr |
| Saturated fats | 0,77 gr |
| Monounsaturated Fats | 1,26 gr |
| Polyunsaturated fats | 2,42 gr |
| Cholesterol | 100 mg |
| Carbohydrates | <1 g |
| Dietary fiber | 0 gr |
| Sugars | 0 gr |
| Football | 30 mg |
| Iron | 1,3 mg |
| Potassium | 270 mg |
| Sodium | 370 mg |
| Vitamin C: | – µg |
| Vitamin A | – µg |
| Thiamine | 0,1 g |
| Riboflavin | -0,15 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.35 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | tr |
| Vitamin E | - mg |
If you suffer from high uric acid, you should reduce your seafood intake and consult your doctor for dietary advice. Seafood contains high levels of uric acid, which will not be beneficial for people with gout (a very painful type of arthritis located in the joints).
Habitat
Spider crabs are common in various regions of the European Atlantic coast.
They can be found along the Cantabrian and Galician coasts of Spain, as well as in other coastal areas of European countries such as France, Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
These crustaceans tend to inhabit shallow seabeds, generally at depths of up to 70 meters.
They prefer rocky and sandy habitats, where they can find shelter among the crevices of the rocks and hide in the sand.
Spider crabs can also be seen near rocky shores and on muddy bottoms.
These lands help them defend themselves, since they are very territorial animals and can be quite aggressive if they feel threatened.
As they grow and develop, they can move to different areas of their habitat to feed. Older crabs tend to live at greater depths than young ones.
Season and Fishing Gear
Nécora fishing season
The crab fishing season It starts in summer and ends in December although depending on the area there are different rules.
On the coast of Galicia, the velvet crab fishing season begins on July 1 and ends on December 31. However, fishing is also permitted on a few days in January.
It is a more than long time to capture this seafood and have enough quantity all year round.
The spider crabs caught in the first months of summer They are usually frozen for later consumption at Christmas, where demand exceeds supply.
Fishing Art
The spider crabs They are caught using crab pots by hand and always at night, since they are nocturnal animals.
Crab traps are traps specifically designed to catch these crustaceans.
They are baskets made of metal mesh that are placed on sandy seabeds, specifically in rocky areas.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spider Crab
A crab It is a marine decapod crustacean that belongs to the infraorder of the brachyurans, like most crabs in the sea.
These animals are characterized by having segmented bodies, hard shells and articulated legs.
Spider crabs, in particular, have 10 pairs of legs (a common characteristic of decapods) and their first pair are pincers.
The spider crab is considered a shellfish, that is, an invertebrate marine animal that can be eaten.
Shellfish would be a gastronomic term to define spider crabs, while brachyuran crustacean would be a more technical name.
Since they are shellfish that live in shallow waters, they can sometimes be caught by hand or in an artisanal manner, even unintentionally.
Spider crabs do not reach sexual maturity until they are 5 years old, but once they reproduce They are capable of laying up to 200.000 eggs.
They usually store their eggs in rocky crevices in their habitat to protect them.
Spider crabs spawn in winter and spring.
A crab can weigh between 100 and 500 grams, depending on their age, habitat and other conditions.
In general, the crabs that are usually purchased do not exceed 200 grams in weight.
The best time to eat crabs is the months of November and December., coinciding with the increase in demand for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Furthermore, the crab fishing season ends in December, so the supply is quite limited.
To eat crabs in December, you should buy them in advance or have a reserve in case there's limited supply or prices rise.
A good option in these cases is to choose to freeze the crab a couple of months before or buy it already deep-frozen, as is the case with Ultra-Frozen Cooked Dolphin Crab so that it does not lose its flavor and texture characteristics that are lost during home freezing.
