Chinese Mitten Crab: Identification

Adult Characteristics:

• hairy claws with white tips, normally equal in size
• notch between the eyes
• four lateral carapace spines (fourth spine is small)
• smooth, round carapace or body shape
• maximum carapace width (distance across the back) is approximately 80 mm (3 inches)
• legs over twice as long as the carapace width
• light brown color

Juvenile Mitten Crab Characteristics:

• notch between the eyes
• claws may not be hairy if carapace width is less than 20 mm (¾ inch)
• claws are hairy by 25 mm (1 inch) carapace width
• four lateral carapace spines (fourth spine is small)
• smooth, round carapace or body shape
• legs over twice as long as the carapace width
• light brown color

Small mitten crabs may be confused with the Harris mud crab, because of their similar size and appearance.

• no notch between the eyes
• non-hairy, white-tipped claws
• ridges on back
• dull greenish-brown color
• maximum carapace width is 19 mm (¾ inch)