Species profile
Red Rock Crab
Cancer productus
Identify Red Rock Crab (Cancer productus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 6 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Red Rock Crab (Cancer productus) is a crustacean regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 2 (British Columbia); the most generous is 50 (New Hampshire).
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 4.5 in.
Confirmed by 13,629 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with British Columbia, Washington, and California the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Its carapace can reach 8 inches wide, making it one of the largest Pacific coast crabs.
- Adults are vivid red, but juveniles display a striking mottled black-and-white pattern.
- Found from Alaska to Baja California, it lives in rocky intertidal and subtidal zones.
- Its powerful claws can deliver a painful pinch strong enough to crack mussel shells.
- It is a capable predator of mussels, barnacles, and other hard-shelled invertebrates.
Where Red Rock Crab are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Red Rock Crab
Background
Cancer productus, one of several species known as red rock crabs, is a crab of the genus Cancer found on the western coast of North America.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Red Rock Crab article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other crabs/lobsters/shrimp on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Red Rock Crab?
Red Rock Crab (Cancer productus) is a crustacean regulated in 6 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Red Rock Crab?
Red Rock Crab is Cancer productus.
Is Red Rock Crab regulated for fishing?
Yes — Red Rock Crab has fishing regulations in 6 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 Red Rock Crab?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Red Rock 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.