Species profile
European Green Crab
Carcinus maenas
Identify European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 3 jurisdictions.
At a glance
European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) is a crustacean regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 14,699 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Maine, Massachusetts, and Nova Scotia the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- A single crab can devour up to 40 small mussels per day.
- First recorded in North America near New Jersey around 1817.
- Their shell width reaches about 9 cm (3.5 inches) at maximum.
- They tolerate salinities from nearly fresh water to hypersaline conditions.
- Listed among the world's 100 worst invasive species by the IUCN.
Where European Green Crab are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for European Green Crab
Background
Carcinus maenas is a common littoral crab. It is known by different names around the world. In the British Isles, it is generally referred to as the shore crab, or green shore crab. In North America and South Africa, it bears the name green crab or European green crab. In Australia and New Zealand, it is referred to as either the European green crab or European shore crab.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's European Green Crab article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other crabs/lobsters/shrimp on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is European Green Crab?
European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) is a crustacean regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for European Green Crab?
European Green Crab is Carcinus maenas.
Is European Green Crab regulated for fishing?
Yes — European Green Crab has fishing regulations in 3 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify European Green Crab?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes European Green 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.