European green crab (Carcinus maenas)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Carcinus maenas
- Common name
- European green crab
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Carcinidae
- Genus
- Carcinus
- Size
- 5–10 cm
- Depth
- 0–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky, estuarine, sand
- Behaviours
- omnivorous
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Carcinus maenas reaches 10 cm. Atlantic cousin of Mediterranean C. aestuarii (in base). Hexagonal carapace green to yellowish or reddish, variable patterns. Cosmopolitan: native to the NE Atlantic but accidentally introduced in America, Australia, South Africa, Japan where it has become one of the most problematic marine invasive species. Extremely euryhaline: tolerates 0 to 35 PSU. Opportunistic omnivore. From 0 to 60 m.
Photo of European green crab
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the European green crab?
- European green crab (Carcinus maenas) reaches 5–10 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the European green crab?
- European green crab is found between 0–60 m deep.
- Is the European green crab dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the European green crab?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the European green crab?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Carcinus
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 107381)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5178595)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia