Species profile
Asian Shore Crab
Hemigrapsus sanguineus
Identify Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app.
At a glance
Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) is a crustacean with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 4,652 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Native to the western Pacific, it was first documented in the United States at Sea Bright, New Jersey, in 1988.
- It has since spread from Maine to North Carolina, outcompeting native crabs like the mud crab for food and shelter.
- Its walking legs have distinctive alternating light and dark bands, making field identification straightforward.
- A highly adaptable omnivore, it tolerates salinities ranging from nearly fresh to full oceanic seawater.
- Females can produce multiple egg clutches per breeding season, which drives its rapid population growth.
Where Asian Shore Crab are seen
Background
Hemigrapsus sanguineus, the Japanese shore crab or Asian shore crab, is a species of crab from East Asia. It has been introduced to several other shores, and is now an invasive species in North America and Europe.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Asian Shore Crab article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is Asian Shore Crab?
Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) is a crustacean with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Asian Shore Crab?
Asian Shore Crab is Hemigrapsus sanguineus.
Are there fishing rules for Asian Shore Crab?
Asian Shore Crab does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Asian Shore Crab?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Asian Shore Crab along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.