Red Swim Crab, Cronius ruber

Red Swim Crab, Cronius ruber. Provided by the commercial fishermen in the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, July 2009. Size: 9.0 cm (3.5 inches) x 6.3 cm (2.5 inches).

General information: The Red Swim Crab, Cronius ruber, is a member of the Portunidae Family which are the swimming crabs known in Mexico as jaibas.  The Red Swim Carb is known in Mexico as jaiba rojo.

Identification: The Red Swim Crab is characterized by having nine teeth-like extensions or spikes along the side of its hexagonally shaped shell that commence at the eyes and run to about half way back on the shell (carapace). The carapace is wider than it is long reaching a maximum size of 9.5 cm (3.75 inches) x 5.7 cm (2.25 inches). The spikes are anterolateral being of unequal size alternating between large and small. The body is violet reddish/purple sometimes described as a rust-color with tan molting; the legs are striped. The tips of the chelae are black with the very tip of the claws being white.

Habitat and Range: The Red Swim Crabs are normally found at depths up to 81 m (300 feet) over a variety of bottom types including hard, rock and coral structure. They are a global species found in abundance along the Atlantic Coast of the United States and in all Mexican waters. They can not be easily confused with another species.

Diet:  The Red Swim Crab is a carnivore roaming the sea bottom for clams, fish, snails, worms and other crustaceans.

Conservation Status:  From a conservation perspective the Red Swim Crab has not been formally evaluated. However, they are common and of limited interest to most and should be considered to be of Least Concern. The Red Swim Crab are relatively small in stature and of limited interest to most.

Synonyms:  Amphitrite edwardsii, Cancer thunborgii, Goniosoma millerii, Lupea rubra, and Portunus ruber