Species profile
Northern Kelp Crab
Pugettia producta
At a glance
Northern Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta) is a crustacean present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
Confirmed by 14,595 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, British Columbia, and Washington the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Can reach a carapace width of about 3.7 inches (9.4 cm) and delivers a surprisingly painful pinch.
- Its color shifts from olive green to dark red-brown depending on the algae in its diet.
- Ranges from British Columbia to Baja California, from the intertidal zone down to about 75 meters.
- Feeds primarily on kelp and other algae, making it an important herbivore in kelp forest ecosystems.
- Females carry orange egg masses under the abdomen for several months until the eggs hatch.
Where Northern Kelp Crab are seen
Background
Pugettia producta, known as the northern kelp crab or shield-backed kelp crab, is a species of crab in the family Epialtidae.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Northern Kelp Crab article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other crabs/lobsters/shrimp on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.