blue crab
Maryland's signature catch
A blue crab is an edible swimming crab native to the Atlantic coast of the Americas, named for its blue-tinged claws and shell.
Prized in Chesapeake Bay cuisine, it's the source of most American crab meat: We steamed blue crabs and covered the table with newspaper.
The species is known for its aggressive disposition.
Pursuit of crabs
- trotlineHorizontal fishing line with hooks
- bushel basketLarge woven farm vessel
- recreationalRelated to enjoyment activities
- commercialPaid broadcast promotion
waterman · harvest · catch · trap · bait · license · season · limit
Regional seafood spice blend
- steamedHeated by vapor
- pickingAct of selecting
- backfinLarge crab meat pieces
- claw meatEdible crustacean limb flesh
seasoning · mallets · newspaper · butter · mustard · vinegar · feast · bushel
Ten-appendaged arthropod or cephalopod
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- scavengerSeeker of refuse
predator · omnivore · larvae · spawning · mating · burrowing · swimming · migration
Mid-Atlantic tidal estuary
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- brackishMildly salty water
- tidalOf sea rhythms
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
seagrass · wetlands · mudflat · saltwater · inlet · bay · gulf · Atlantic
Animal gripping nails
- pincersGripping tool or claws
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- chelaePincer-like appendages
- gillsAquatic respiratory organs
antennae · exoskeleton · abdomen · cephalothorax · apron · mandible · eyestalks · chitin
Flexible protective covering
- sheddingLosing outer covering
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- peelerSkin-removing utensil
- busterOne who breaks things
hardening · growth · vulnerable · papershell · regeneration · maturity · juveniles · doubler
crabbing
Pursuit of crabs
- trotlineHorizontal fishing line with hooks
- bushel basketLarge woven farm vessel
- recreationalRelated to enjoyment activities
commercial · waterman · harvest · catch · trap · bait · license · season · limit · culling
Old Bay
Regional seafood spice blend
claw meat · seasoning · mallets · newspaper · butter · mustard · vinegar · feast · bushel · dozen
decapod
Ten-appendaged arthropod or cephalopod
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
scavenger · predator · omnivore · larvae · spawning · mating · burrowing · swimming · migration · lifespan
Chesapeake Bay
Mid-Atlantic tidal estuary
marsh · seagrass · wetlands · mudflat · saltwater · inlet · bay · gulf · Atlantic · benthic
claws
Animal gripping nails
gills · antennae · exoskeleton · abdomen · cephalothorax · apron · mandible · eyestalks · chitin · shell
soft shell
Flexible protective covering
buster · hardening · growth · vulnerable · papershell · regeneration · maturity · juveniles · doubler · buckram
- crabs
- Swamp Wildlifealligator, crawfish, cottonmouth, egret, heron
- Estuary Wildlifeosprey, striped bass, oyster, egret, menhaden
- Mid-Atlantic NatureChesapeake Bay, Delaware River, salt marsh, osprey, pitch pine
- Philippine seafoodmilkfish, tilapia, grouper, red snapper, snapper
- regional seafoodMaine lobster, Gulf shrimp, Norwegian salmon, Japanese eel, Chilean sea bass
blue crablobster
Large marine shellfish
shrimp · crawfish · crayfish · Maine lobster · langoustine
blue crabking crab
Large edible spider-shaped crustacean
snow crab · red king crab · Dungeness crab · stone crab · spider crab
blue, crab, crabby, blueprint, bluish, blueberry, bluebird, blueness, crabapple