![]() The captured crabs are measured, checked for injuries or regeneration of limbs, reproductive state, and molt condition. The number of traps used varies by location. Every two weeks FWRI scientists pull trap lines baited with fish. The Crustacean Fisheries Group at Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) has been studying Florida stone crab and the Gulf stone crab since 1988. Both males and females have been observed moving inshore during the fall to mate. Little is known about the migration habits of stone crabs, but it is believed they move in response to environmental factors and seasons. Adults inhabit both near and offshore habitats up to depths of 200 feet (61 meters). Adult Florida stone crab live in burrows and can be found in seagrass beds, on mud and sand bottoms, and on or near rocky substrates. Juveniles inhabit hiding places such as crevices near or under rocks, shells, and sponges. Florida stone crab larvae are planktonic and inhabit nearshore coastal waters and estuaries. The species often co-occurs with Gulf stone crabs (Menippe adina) in between this area along the Atlantic and in parts of the Florida Panhandle – even interbreeding and producing hybrids in these regions. They are also found in parts of South and North Carolina. Grouper, sea turtles, octopuses, and horse conch prey on Florida stone crab.įlorida stone crabs are found from the west central part of Florida south to the Florida Keys and around the peninsula to Atlantic central Florida. Molting only occurs at night or in dark spaces, due to the extreme vulnerability of the crab to predators during the molt.įlorida stone crabs feed on oysters and other small mollusks, worms, and crustaceans. Every time the crab molts, their claws grow larger. The limbs can grow back within a year, including their claws, with little loss of blood if the joint linking the claw to the body is left intact. Juveniles tend to be darker in color than adults.įlorida stone crabs can lose their limbs easily to escape from predators or maneuver through tight spaces. The larvae undergo six stages of molting and development in four weeks before emerging as juveniles. They can lay up to one million eggs at a time, several times during a spawning season, which hatch within two weeks. Females carrying eggs are called ovigerous. Sperm is stored in two sacs over the winter, and used in the spring or summer for internal fertilization of the eggs, which are deposited on the female’s underside in a bright orange or red egg sac, called a sponge. Females retain the sperm received until their next molt, up to a year later. Spawning season lasts from April through September. Males wait until the female molts before they can mate, after which the male stays to protect the female for up to several days. They live up to eight years old.įemales reach maturity at about two years old. Male Florida stone crabs have a larger pincher claw than females, who usually grow larger than males. Florida stone crabs are a brownish red color with grey spots, and have unequally sized claws with black tips. Meat with black discoloration is a sign of poor handling. Beware imposters: Stone crab from Florida is larger, smoother, and more orange than rougher-shelled, duller-colored Chilean and Mexican rock crab and these imported cooked claws from crabs that look similar to stone crab claws are available frozen.įlorida stone crabs are closely related to Gulf stone crab (Menippe adina) and can interbreed with them. Claws past their shelf life will have an ammonia smell and slippery shells. Stone crab have a shelf life of 3-5 days so they need to be sold quickly, which can make it challenging to ship out of state. Claws should be cooked right after they are removed from the crab so the meat doesn’t get stuck to the shell. C laws are either cooked right on crabbing boats or dockside, and are available either fresh or frozen. Florida stone crab meat is flaky and white to off-white with a sweet taste. A unique fishery, Florida stone crabs are harvested only for their claws and live crabs are returned to the water with claws regenerating in 1-2 years (varies based on size of crab and time of harvest relative to molting cycle). Mid-October is the start of the Florida stone crab season (ending mid-May).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |