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Catching
Spanner Crabs Photographs, Video
and Information
Fishing for Spanner Crabs:
Spanner Crabs have elongated shells, which is very broad at the front. The first
legs are "spanner" shaped and the rest are flattened and have numerous short
bristles.
The spanner crab's body colour varies from orange to red.
Spanner Crabs prefer bare sandy areas. They inhabit intertidal waters to depths
of more than 100m, from sheltered bays to surf areas.
Spanner crabs remain completely buried in the sand for most of the day, but they emerge
rapidly when food appears. Spanner crabs are opportunistic feeders, ie., they eat
what ever is available. Adults eat heart sea-urchins and a variety of small bivalve
molluscs, crustaceans, polychaete worms and fish. Spanner crabs are often found in
areas where there is an intensive night time prawn fishery, suggesting that discards from
the trawl catch may form a significant part of their diet.
There is evidence that sharks and turtles feed on spanner crabs and turtles take
advantage of crabs being caught in nets.
Did you know? Spanner Crabs move in a forwards-backwards motion, unlike other crabs who move sideways.
Did you know? This
large crab is red in colour and stays the same colour when
cooked.
Spanner Crabs have elongated shells, which is very broad at the front. The first
legs are "spanner" shaped and the rest are flattened and have numerous short
bristles.
