description Atlantic Rock Crab Overview
The Atlantic Rock Crab (Cancer irroratus) is a marine crustacean found along the Atlantic coast of North America from Labrador to South Carolina. Recognizable by its nine marginal teeth on each side of the carapace and yellowish-red shell that can reach up to 13 centimeters in width, it inhabits rocky bottoms and coastal waters from the intertidal zone to depths of 750 meters. The species is commercially harvested for its meat, though on a smaller scale than related species like the Jonah crab and snow crab.
help Atlantic Rock Crab FAQ
What is a peekytoe crab and is it the same as the Atlantic rock crab?
Yes, 'peekytoe' is simply a marketing name for the Atlantic rock crab, Cancer irroratus. The whimsical name was reportedly coined by the Maine seafood trade in the late 1990s to make the previously low-value species more appealing to restaurants.
How can you identify an Atlantic rock crab?
Cancer irroratus has nine marginal teeth on each side of its carapace and a yellowish-red, mottled shell reaching up to about 13 centimeters in width. It ranges along the North American Atlantic coast from Labrador to South Carolina.
Is the Atlantic rock crab the same species as the Jonah crab?
No. The Jonah crab is a separate species, Cancer borealis, which overlaps in range and is often confused with the rock crab. Jonah crabs are generally stockier with larger claws, while rock crabs are smaller and longer-legged.
What is Atlantic rock crab used for commercially?
Its sweet, flaky leg and body meat is used in crab rolls, salads, and picked meat products. A significant fishery developed in Maine from the 1990s onward, largely built on the 'peekytoe' branding of Cancer irroratus.
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