Serrated Swimming Crab

Serrated Swimming Crab
English Common Name
Serrated Swimming Crab
Scientific name
Scylla serrata
Taxonomy
Order: Decapoda, Family: Portunidae
Size
About 20 cm (width of the shell)
Species Distribution
South of Sagami Bay, Japan (widely distributed around tropical water in Pacific and Indian Oceans)
Okinawan Common Name
Gasami (general term for swimming crabs)
It has characteristic reddish-brown mesh patterns on carapace and legs. This species is often found in mangroves and brackish water regions. Beside this species, genus Scylla has S. olivacea and S. paramamosain in Japan. S. serrata is the most common species in Okinawa. Generally, all of the species are called “Nokogiri-gasami” together. Developed big claws are very strong, so you can get injured if you are pinched by Nokogiri-gasami. This species has been brought to tables worldwide as food for long time.

Updated August 2017

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