Edible Crab

The edible crab is a robust, reddish-brown crustacean with a broad carapace and characteristically black-tipped claws. Found in rocky and sandy habitats from the low intertidal zone down to about 100 metres, it ranges across the northeastern Atlantic and North Sea. These crabs are nocturnal and typically hide in crevices during the day; divers are most likely to spot them at dusk or night. Despite their name, they are far more valuable to the fishing industry than to recreational divers, though an encounter with a large individual is a reminder of the rich invertebrate life in cooler European waters.