Florent's Guide To The

Tropical Reefs

Atlantic Blue Crab
Callinectes sapidus
Atlantic Blue Crab
Also known as: Common Blue Crab, Maryland Blue Crab, Chesapeake Blue Crab
Category: Swimming Crabs
Scientific Name: Callinectes sapidus
Size: 4 to 6 in. (10 to 15 cm)  
Depth: 5-50 ft. (2-15 m)
Distribution: Caribbean, Bahamas, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Gulf of America
Arthropoda (Phylum) Arthropods
└Crustacea (Subphylum) Crustaceans
 └Multicrustacea (Superclass) Typical Crustaceans
  └Malacostraca (Class) Malacostracans
   └Eumalacostraca (Subclass) Decapods, Isopods, and Allies
    └Eucarida (Superorder)
     └Decapoda (Order) Decapods
      └Pleocyemata (Suborder)
       └Brachyura (Infraorder) True Crabs
        └Portunoidea (Superfamily)
         └Portunidae (Family) Swimming Crabs
          └Portuninae (Subfamily)
           └Callinectes (Genus)
            └C. sapidus (Species)
WoRMS ID: 107379🔗
iNaturalist ID: 49504🔗

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© 2026 Florent Charpin