Crab meat is an excellent source of high quality protein, vitamins, and minerals that are needed for good nutrition. Read some more information about this crab species below. Diet These crabs are predacious and scavenge for food. Like in all decapods, the blue king crab’s shell really is a skeleton on the outside of its body. The average blue crab contains about 2 ounces (57g) of meat, depending on its size. Megalopae feed on other planktonic organisms while inhabiting the water column but become opportunistic benthic omnivores after settling to the bottom. At various stages in the life cycle, blue crabs serve as both prey and as consumers of plankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, plants, mollusks, crustaceans (including other blue crabs), and organic debris. It is known by many other different names such as Atlantic Blue crab, and regionally known as the Chesapeake Blue crab. Buy a regular sized cooler from your local depot or sporting … If they can’t find other food sources, blue crabs will even eat smaller, less mature blue crabs. ... *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. The females mate only once in their lifetime during their pubertal, or terminal, molt. However, habitat loss and nutrient loading are some of the larger issues faced by this species. However, in general major food items of larger juveniles and adults include bivalve molluscs (clams, oysters, mussels, etc. 0 grams trans fat. Learn how your comment data is processed. 22.1 mg cholesterol. Nutrition Facts. The Blue crab is a species of crab which is native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Blue crabs will feed on nearly anything they can find, including clams, oysters, mussels, smaller crustaceans, freshly dead fish, and plant and animal detritus. grams cup, flaked and pieces cup (not packed) oz oz. At least 60 species of fish have been identified as blue crab predators. Food habit studies have shown that predominant food items vary greatly, depending upon availability. Meat of these crabs is very tasty and very popular. The Blue crab is of significant culinary and economic importance in the United States (particularly in Chesapeake Bay, New Jersey, Louisiana and North Carolina). Calories in Blue Crab based on the calories, fat, protein, carbs and other nutrition information submitted for Blue Crab. The immovable, fixed finger of the claws in males is blue with red tips, while the females have orange coloration with purple tips. Female king crabs typically reach sexual maturity at approximately five years of age … Unlike red king crab juveniles, blue king crab juveniles are not known to form pods. They are easily distinguished by the shape of the abdomen, and by the color differences in the chelipeds or claws. 114.5 mg cholesterol. These crabs have high fecundity. It is very tasty and popular around the globe. Their common foods include clams, oysters, fishes, other benthic invertebrates, and plant material and also detritus and carrion. Blue crabs may have detrimental effects on commercial invertebrate species such as oysters, hard clams, and soft clams and have been documented to influence the distribution and abundance of other invertebrate species. Blue Crabs Will Eat Almost Anything When it comes to their diet, blue crabs aren’t particularly picky. See more ideas about crab recipes, recipes, blue crab recipes. 466.1 mg sodium. In addition, recent reports have shown that blue crabs are projected to be detrimentally impacted by climate change in a way that can also wreak havoc on sensitive ecosystems that the blue crab calls home. But the males may mate several times and undergo no major changes in morphology during the process. Blue crabs are not threatened or endangered. However, review full breed profile of this crab in the table below. Growth rate of this crab is faster, and they reach marketing size earlier. Given its high “feeding adaptiveness”, blue crabs play an important role in determining the abundance and behavior of its prey. The abdomen is wide and rounded in mature females, but is long and slender in males. In a Blue Crab ( (3 Oz Serving) ) there are about 87 calories out of which 14 calories come from fat. Instead of weighing down fresh crab with a lot of breadcrumbs, this lighter version of deviled crab gets just a sprinkle of them on top for crunch. 0 grams sugar. 0.1 grams saturated fat. The Blue Leg Hermit Crabs is an active omnivore in their diet and opportunistic in their feeding habits. It is named for its blue color (in life) and is a favorite seafood species throughout its range. Molting blue crab. For example, the blue crab is native to the Atlantic Ocean along the East Coast and eats live plants, snails, fish, crustaceans and other blue crabs. Their maximum lifespan is 3 years. Calories in Blue Crab based on the calories, fat, protein, carbs and other nutrition information submitted for Blue Crab. Crabs are omnivores, feeding primarily on algae, and taking any other food, including molluscs, worms, other crustaceans, fungi, bacteria, and detritus, depending on their availability and the crab species. For many crabs, a mixed diet of plant and animal matter results in the fastest growth and greatest fitness. They are almost exclusively carnivorous, rarely consuming plant material. Males typically grow larger than females, sometimes reaching 9 inches from point to point on the shell. Megalopae have well developed chelae which are used to capture food in a manner similar to that of adults. Crab is a mild-tasting crustacean that is low in fat and contains just 82 calories per 3-ounce serving. For a really cool presentation, scrape out the shells, fill with the crab mixture and bake as directed. Crab Measuring Gauges for Dungeness & Blue Crabs, ➰ The Best Crab Lines for Traps, Pots & Trotlining, The Best Crabbing Gloves On The Market. Get full nutrition facts and other common serving sizes of Blue Crab including 1 crab and 100 g. ), fish, other crustaceans, organic debris, and vegetation, and benthic infauna. The male Blue crabs may also have mottled white coloration on the swimming legs, and the females have areas of violet coloration on the internal surface of the claws. They will even eat smaller and soft-shelled blue crabs. Blue crabs are a crucial factor in the estuarine food web because of their opportunistic feeding habits, high abundance levels, and their great tolerance of salinity. 0.0 grams trans fat. 21.1 grams protein. In the wild, crabs eat a variety of plants and animals. Is Crab Meat Healthy?. Clam, oyster and mussel shell beds are typical feeding areas for blue crabs. Diet and Behavior Blue crabs are omnivores. Many people struggle with getting protein into their diet when they reduce calories, but adding blue crab meat is a great way to give your body the protein it needs while keeping your caloric intake low. The Blue Swimming crabs are feed on a wide variety of sessile and slow moving benthic invertebrates. It is the Maryland state crustacean and is that state’s largest commercial fishery. But they are not restricted to algae, as most of these crustaceans are omnivores. Blue crabs also serve as prey for other vertebrate species. General Description Blue king crab, like all king crabs are decapod or “ten-legged” crustaceans that have "tails," or abdomens, that are distinctive, being fan-shaped and tucked underneath the rear of the shell. Crabs will also lie motionless on the bottom waiting for unsuspecting prey. The Blue crabs are non-selective feeders. Papershell crabs regularly consume their own molted exoskeletons. The spawning and mating are distinct events in Blue crab reproduction. The total fat content of (3 Oz Serving) Blue Crab is 1.51 g. Within the fat content, a Blue Crab contains 0.19 g of saturated fat, 0 g of trans fat, 0.58 g of polyunsaturated fat and 0.24 g of monounsaturated fat. Diet They feed on almost anything they can get hold of, including mussels, snails, fish, plants, and even carrion and smaller blue crabs. 0 grams fiber. The abdomen of the females change as they mature, and the immature females have a triangular-shaped abdomen but the mature females have rounded abdomen. They have been known to eat other crustaceans (including their own species), recently dead fish, plant materials, clams, oysters, worms, insects, and mussels. Blue Crab Nutrition Facts. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They spend most of their time looking for food such as organic debris, decayed and fresh macro-algae, macroscopic pieces of dead and live animal tissues. 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