Giant European Spider Crab (Maja brachydactyla)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Maja brachydactyla
- Common name
- Giant European Spider Crab
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Majidae
- Genus
- Maja
- Size
- 20–40 cm
- Depth
- 5–70 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, sandy-bottom
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Macaronesia
Description
Maja brachydactyla reaches 40 cm. Giant spider crab (Majidae) from Atlantic-Mediterranean. Brown-red, robust claws, long legs. Coastal rocky inhabitant 5-70 m. Benthic predator: mollusks, small crustaceans, echinoderms. Nocturnal. Lightly fished = LC. Observable in Mediterranean and Northwest Atlantic coastal diving.
Photo of Giant European Spider Crab
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Giant European Spider Crab?
- Giant European Spider Crab (Maja brachydactyla) reaches 20–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Giant European Spider Crab?
- Giant European Spider Crab is found between 5–70 m deep.
- Is the Giant European Spider Crab dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Giant European Spider Crab?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Giant European Spider Crab?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Macaronesia.
Other species in the genus Maja
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 107347)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5729741)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia