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Red king crab

Order Decapoda
Family Lithodidae

Decapod crustacean with a robust and laterally compressed body protected by a spiky exoskeleton. It displays a set of ten legs, including well-developed claws. Long and slender antennae, along with compound eyes, provide keen sensory perception in its aquatic environment. The coloration varies, showcasing hues ranging from browns to intense reds, contributing to its camouflage in different marine habitats. The structure of the tail, or abdomen, is elongated and narrow, while the locomotor legs are adapted for swimming and exploring the seafloor. The presence of specialized appendages, such as chelae or claws, reflects evolutionary adaptations for food acquisition and defense against predators. They can be quite large, sometimes reaching a carapace width of 28 cm and a leg span of 1.8 m.

Characteristics
FAO code
KCD
Specie
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Type
Crustaceans
FAO Fishing Areas
  • Área 34: Atlantic
  • Área47:Atlantic
  • Eastern Central.
  • Southeast
Fishing seasons
feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct
International denominations
Germany Kamtschatka-Krabbe
France Crabe royal
Portugal Caranguejo
United Kingdom Red king crab
Fishing areas
Fishing arts
Gillnets
Trawls

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