Stone crabs are a popular seafood delicacy, especially in Florida. Their large, meaty claws are considered a culinary treat, but what exactly are stone crabs? Here is a complete guide to understanding these fascinating crustaceans.
Stone crabs belong to the genus Menippe and are found in coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico There are two closely related species
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Florida stone crab (Menippe mercenaria) – found from Connecticut to Colombia.
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Gulf stone crab (Menippe adina) – found in the Gulf of Mexico.
Stone crabs have large claws with black tips and a brownish-red body. Their name comes from their stone-like, camouflaged shell that helps them blend into their habitat on reefs and sandy or muddy seabeds.
An interesting fact about stone crabs is that their claws regenerate after being broken off. Fishermen remove only one or both claws from the live crabs and return them to the water where they can regrow new claws. This makes the stone crab fishery sustainable.
Stone Crab Eating Habits
Stone crabs are omnivorous opportunistic feeders. Their natural diet consists of:
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Mollusks – especially oysters, clams, mussels
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Small crustaceans
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Worms
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Carrion
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Seagrass
They use their large, strong claws to pry open the shells of oysters and other mollusks. The meat from the claws is sweet and sought after by humans for food.
Stone crabs face predators like groupers, horse conch snails, sea turtles, and octopuses. They can drop appendages to escape, which is why their claws regenerate.
Stone Crab Habitats
Stone crabs live in shallow coastal waters, usually from the intertidal zone down to 200 feet. Specific habitats include:
- Seagrass beds
- Sandy or muddy bottoms
- Oyster reefs
- Coral reefs
- Docks and jetties
Juveniles often take refuge in empty mollusk shells. As adults, stone crabs dig out dens or holes for hiding. They are solitary creatures except during mating season.
Stone Crab Reproduction and Lifecycle
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Females mate after molting, while their shell is still soft. This happens in early fall.
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Males protect and cradle the female after mating until her shell hardens again.
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Females can store sperm for up to a year before using it to fertilize eggs.
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Spawning happens in spring and summer. Females carry up to 1 million eggs externally in an orange, rust-colored mass on their abdomens.
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Larvae go through developmental stages offshore before returning to coastal waters as juveniles.
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It takes about 2-3 years for stone crabs to reach maturity. Their lifespan is 7-8 years.
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Adult females molt in fall and males molt in winter. Molting allows growth and limb regeneration.
The Stone Crab Fishery
The tasty claws make stone crabs the target of a major commercial fishery. Some key facts about the stone crab fishery:
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Claws are removed from live crabs which are returned to the water to regrow claws.
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Only the larger crusher claw is removed from juveniles. Both claws can be removed from adults.
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There is a seasonal harvest from October 15 to May 15 in Florida.
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Florida accounts for most of the U.S. catch, with 2-3.5 million lbs harvested annually.
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The fishery brings in around $30 million each year.
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Claws are sold based on size grades – medium, large, jumbo and colossal.
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Careful handling and declawing reduces mortality rates.
How to Eat Stone Crab
Stone crab claws are prepared very simply. They are steamed or boiled briefly just after catching. Then they are chilled on ice which makes the meat easy to extract. The chilled claws are served cold with dipping sauces like melted butter and mustard sauce.
The meat is sweet, firm and chunky. Getting the meat out of shells takes a bit of work, making stone crab a fun, interactive meal. Utensils like small hammers, picks and forks are used. The body meat of stone crabs is small but the leg knuckles also contain tasty morsels.
Stone crab claws can be purchased fresh in season or frozen year-round. They make excellent appetizers for special occasions like beach parties and celebrations.
In Summary
Stone crabs are unique, sustainable crustaceans harvested for their claw meat. They inhabit coastal waters and reefs in the southeast U.S. and Gulf of Mexico. Careful fishing practices allow their claws to regrow after harvesting. The sweet claw meat is a local delicacy especially popular in Florida. Stone crab claws are a deliciously fun seafood to eat!
Stone Crabs Become Soft-Shell Crabs
The culinary world refers to crabs going through a molting stage as soft-shell crabs. Stone crab, like other types of crab, shed their hard shells to continue growing. Underneath the hard outer surface is a softer inner shell. Once crabs break their outer shell, they begin making a new one immediately. Fishers catch the crabs as soon as they molt their exoskeleton to prevent this process.
Why does a Stone Crab’s Right Claw Matter?
The right claw of a stone crab is commonly sought after for various reasons. The right claw of a crab is typically larger and meatier than the left claw, making it a preferred choice for those looking for a more substantial amount of crab meat. Diners can enjoy a more satisfying culinary experience when eating the succulent meat from the stone crabs right claw.
Some people believe that the right claw of a stone crab may contain more flavorful and tender meat than the left claw. The development of a more robust muscle in the right claw of a crab may result in potentially more flavorful meat, as this claw is used more frequently. Seafood enthusiasts often request the right claw when ordering stone crab dishes to ensure they are getting the highest quality meat.
Why Stone Crab Claws Are So Expensive | So Expensive
FAQ
What is so special about stone crabs?
Stone Crabs Are Incredibly Strong
A stone crab can exert up to 19,000 pounds of pressure per square inch with its crusher claw to eat mollusks, oysters, clams, hermit crabs, blue crabs, flatworms, mussels, and more. This impressive strength is part of what makes stone crab claws so meaty and delicious.
What is the difference between stone crab and regular crab?
Stone crab meat is often described as sweet and succulent, while rock crab meat is firmer and more flavorful. In terms of harvesting, stone crabs are known for their unique ability to regenerate their claws after they have been removed, making them a more sustainable option for crab lovers.
Why is stone crab so expensive?
Stone crabs are more expensive that other crabs because of their limited availability. They are only available from October 15th to May 1st curing stone crab season. They are also caught using sustainable harvesting practices with only the claws taken, and the stone crabs are returned to the ocean alive.
Is stone crab good to eat?
Stone crabs have a unique sweet flavor in their meat, making them perfect for appetizers or even as a main dish. The most common way to harvest stone crabs is through commercial crabbing.