Red King Crab
About the Red King Crab
The most valuable fishery in Alaska - worth over $100 million per year. Their leg span can reach 1.8 meters. They can live 20-30 years. They undergo an annual migration from deep to shallow water to spawn. Deadliest Catch made their fishery famous. They are not true crabs but are more closely related to hermit crabs. They are an invasive species in the Barents Sea, spreading westward from Russia. A single crab can sell for $100+. Their blood contains a compound used in medical testing. Overfishing has caused several population crashes. They are among the largest arthropods in the ocean.
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