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Black Clawed Crab

Lophopanopeus bellus
Ueda, K. (2009, March 31). A Firm Handshake. iNaturalist. www.inaturalist.org/photos/2742

Black Clawed Crab

Lophopanopeus bellus
Other Common Names
Black-clawed pebble crab, Northern black-clawed crab, blackclaw crestleg crab, black-clawed mud crab, black-clawed shore crab, black-fingered crab
At the Aquarium
Rocky Coast
Other Common Names
Black-clawed pebble crab, Northern black-clawed crab, blackclaw crestleg crab, black-clawed mud crab, black-clawed shore crab, black-fingered crab

At the Aquarium

Rocky Coast

Appearance

They have ten visible legs, with black-tipped claws/chela that are ideal for breaking-shells. The carapace color can be red, orange, green, purple, brown, gray, creamy white, or calico patterned. There are three ‘teeth’ or points at the front corner on each side of the carapace next to the eyes.

Habitat

Intertidal to depths of 262 feet, under rocks, on gravel, or on kelp holdfasts.

Diet

Algae, small mollusks, barnacles, other crabs, and young abalone

Life History

A brood can contain from 6,000 to 36,000 eggs, and many females produce 2 broods a year. In British Columbia, eggs are carried starting from March and hatching occurs from May to August. Larvae are planktonic for a prezoea stage, four zoea stages, and then one megalops stage.

The male carapace reaches 1.3 inches across while females are only up to 0.9 inches across.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

This crab feeds its predators which includes the quillback rockfish
Range
Aleutian Islands, Alaska to central coast of Baja California, Mexico
On the Oregon Coast
These can be found in crevices in the lower intertidal zone or among algae holdfasts.
Fun Facts
There are two distinct subspecies recognized for this crab. Lophopanopeus bellus bellus lives in the intertidal and has smooth claws while Lophopanopeus bellus diegensis lives subtidally and has tubercles on its claws.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Ueda, K. (2009, March 31). A Firm Handshake. iNaturalist. https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/2742
  • Harbo, Rick M. Whelks to Whales: Coastal Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest. Harbour Publishing, 2011.
  • Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
  • Lamb, Andy, and Bernard P. Hanby. Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds and Selected Fishes. Harbour Publishing, 2005.
  • National Park Service: Cabrillo National Monument
  • SeaLife Base
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Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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