Velvet swimming crab  (Necora puber)

Not threatened (3).

The fast-moving velvet swimming crab has a flattened carapace, which is wider than it is long (2). The upper surface is blue but has a reddish-brown velvety covering, which disguises the blue colouration and earns the species its common name (3). The pincers are equal in size and are also velvety and the eyes are bright red (3). The colour of these eyes and the general aggressive nature of this species may explain the alternative names of Devil crab and witch crab. Between the eyes there are around ten narrow teeth on the edge of the carapace (4).

This crab has a wide distribution in north-west Europe (2). It is common around all coasts of Britain (4).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Small individuals are found on rocky shores at low water but larger specimens occur down to depths of 80 m (2). It is most numerous on fairly sheltered shores (3).

The velvet swimming crab is a fast-moving and very aggressive species (5) and can deliver a painful nip (4). Females carrying eggs can be found at all times of the year in Britain. The adults feed on brown seaweeds, molluscs and crustaceans, whereas juveniles feed mainly on crustaceans such as small crabs and barnacles (2). In some parts of Europe, this species is fished commercially (4).

This species is not threatened.

Conservation action is not required for this species at present.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

For more on this crab, see the Marine Life Information Network species account, available on-line at:
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Necorapuber.htm