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Tasmanian Giant Crab - Pseudocarcinus gigas
Topic Started: Apr 4 2014, 07:44 AM (3,029 Views)
Scalesofanubis
Omnivore
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Tasmanian Giant Crab - Pseudocarcinus gigas

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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Menippidae
Genus: Pseudocarcinus
Species: Pseudocarcinus gigas

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The Tasmanian giant crab, Pseudocarcinus gigas (sometimes known as the giant deepwater crab, giant southern crab or queen crab) is a very large species of crab that resides in the southern waters of Australia on the edge of the continental shelf at depths of 20–820 metres (66–2,690 ft), but mostly 140–270 metres (460–890 ft).

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Description
The Tasmanian giant crab is one of the largest crabs in the world, reaching a mass of 13 kilograms (29 lb) and a carapace width of up to 46 centimetres (18 in). It is the only species in the genus Pseudocarcinus. Males reach more than twice the size of females. It has a white shell with claws that are splashed in red. The females' shells change colour when they are producing eggs.

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Behavior
The Tasmanian giant crab feeds on slow-moving species such as gastropods, crustaceans and starfish. They breed in June and July, and the female carries the 0.5–2 million eggs for about four months.

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Fishery
The Tasmanian giant crab has been commercially fished in Tasmanian waters since 1992. Following concerns surrounding the sustainability of catch numbers, the total allowable catch was adjusted in 2004 to 62.1 tonnes (137,000 lb). Twenty-five operators competed for the catch in 2005, delivering a total catch valued at about A$2 million. The Tasmanian giant crab is very long-lived and slow-growing, making it vulnerable to overfishing.

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Edited by Taipan, Apr 7 2014, 10:01 PM.
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Naronu
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Apex Predator
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Neat pic of Tasmanian Giant Crab.

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