The males are bright blue in color with white spots and with characteristically long chelipeds, while the females have a duller green/brown, with a more rounded carapace. The carapace can be up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) … See more

P. pelagicus commonly enters estuaries for food and shelter. Its life cycle is dependent on estuaries as the larvae and early juveniles use … See more

• Fisheries Western Australia - Blue Swimmer Crab Fact Sheet
• "Flower crabs, Portunus pelagicus". Online guide to … See more

They stay buried under sand or mud most of the time, particularly during the daytime and winter, which may explain their high tolerance to See more

The species is commercially important throughout the Indo-Pacific, where they may be sold as traditional hard shells, or as "soft-shelled" crabs, which are considered a delicacy throughout Asia. The species is highly prized as a substitute for See more

The movement of this species of crab is the basis for the dance steps and movements of the Linambay, a variation of the See more