Species profile
Pacific Sand Crab
Emerita analoga
Identify Pacific Sand Crab (Emerita analoga) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Pacific Sand Crab (Emerita analoga) is a crustacean with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 9,079 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Oregon, and Washington the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Migrates up and down the beach with each tide to stay within the swash zone.
- Filter feeds by holding feathery antennae into receding waves to catch plankton.
- Females can reach about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm); males are much smaller.
- Cannot walk forward — they only move backward or sideways.
- A key prey item for surf zone fish like barred surfperch and shorebirds like sanderlings.
Where Pacific Sand Crab are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Pacific Sand Crab
Background
Emerita analoga, the Pacific sand crab or Pacific mole crab, is a species of small, sand-burrowing decapod crustacean found living in the sand along the temperate western coasts of America. Also found on the eastern coasts (New Jersey) It is found on exposed sandy beaches in the swash region of the intertidal zone.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Pacific Sand Crab article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other crabs/lobsters/shrimp on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Pacific Sand Crab?
Pacific Sand Crab (Emerita analoga) is a crustacean with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Pacific Sand Crab?
Pacific Sand Crab is Emerita analoga.
Is Pacific Sand Crab regulated for fishing?
Yes — Pacific Sand Crab has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Pacific Sand Crab?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Pacific Sand 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.