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dpi note

Mud crab (mangrove crab)
Scylla serrata

Officers DPI Fisheries

mud crab

This is a regulated crab. See Recreational fishing rules in Queensland - Tidal waters for the current regulations.

Description

Mud crabs are large crabs with a smooth, broad carapace. They can grow to more than 25cm shell breadth (2kg), with males generally growing larger than females. They have nine similar sized spines each side of their eyes. Their hind legs are flattened for swimming. Mud crabs have very robust claws, used for crushing shells. They vary in colour from dark olive-brown to greenish-blue and blue-black. Patterns of lighter coloured dots cover the walking legs.

Habitat/distribution

The mud crab is a marine and estuarine animal. It can be found along the entire Queensland coast in sheltered estuaries, tidal flats and rivers lined with mangroves. They are usually found in shallow water but berried females occur well offshore. They favour a soft muddy bottom, often below tide level. In Australia, mud crabs inhabit tropical to warm temperate waters from Exmouth Gulf in Western Australia to the Bega River in New South Wales. Mud Crabs are omnivorous scavengers and are also cannibalistic, eating other crabs as well as barnacles, bivalves and dead fish.

Further information

Department of Primary Industries. (2002). Fish Guide. Saltwater, Freshwater and Noxious Species. The Great Outdoors Publications, Brisbane.

Note: Some information in this publication may change from time to time (especially size and in-possession limits). You should contact your nearest Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol or the DPI&F Business Information Centre (13 25 23) for latest fisheries regulations and information.

This DPI Note is also published on the DPI&F's PrimeNotes CD-ROM.

Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter.

File No: f00044
Last updated: 18 december 2003


 

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