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The Snow crab would be considered a good crab species to try as it is similar to the King crab
with regard to having chunky leg meat. These crabs also produce a newer shell under the old one, eventually molting
the old one.
This crab is very handy for the everyday consumer as it is very high in
numbers and easily available from most markets. Due to the high numbers of this species, the prices are lower,
meaning more than the rich can try this crab. Not only that, they are still packed full of flavour and have a very
crabby taste. They are also as healthy as other crabs with very high protein content, very low in fat and would
benefit your diet by any ones standards.
With an average weight of 1-3 pounds and only 90 calories in a 3oz serving, snow crab nutrition
is as delicious as its ease of preparation. Cleaned and pre-cooked before being flash frozen, its freshly caught
taste is preserved and ready for you to heat at your convenience.
Learn About The Alaskan Snow Crab
The Alaskan snow crab is a delicacy consumed in North America and to a lesser degree in certain parts of North East
Asia. It is also referred to as the Opilio crab, tanner crab, and the queen crab. They are commonly found in the
Bering Sea as well as the Chuckchi Sea. It is in these areas were most of the commercial fishing and harvesting
takes place. They thrive in such cold waters.
The species molt a few times each year when young though this is reduced as they age and mature. This is a normal
part of the life cycle of many crustaceans. Typically an average individual would weigh in at around five
pounds.
In Canada the season for fishing snow crabs is from April though to November. In the Bering Sea this depends
predominantly on when the ice breaks and melts away. For this reason the crabbing season can vary in length
dramatically from year to year.
The Alaskan snow crab has a relatively long life when compared to species that inhabit warmer waters such as the
Dungeness crab. Adulthood is not reached until around six or seven years of age and then they can live and breed
for an additional four or five years. As they age, they occasionally develop patches dark in color on their shells
and often have an appearance, which is not so appealing. Such individuals can be bought for a lower price, as many
people believe incorrectly that the meat would be less tasty.
A typical female has a very high reproductive rate and can lay literally hundreds of thousands of eggs on an annual
basis. Once they have reached full maturity they will only molt a single time. Their width of carapace will rarely
grow larger than three inches whereas with a male Alaskan snow crab the carapace can often be six inches wide.
The Alaskan snow crab is often called the queen crab as they have very long legs similar to those found on the
Alaskan king crab, but their carapace and leg width are far smaller; though larger than that found on the blue crab
or Dungeness crab. You may already know from experience that although both the snow crab and Alaskan king crab are
large species a fishing pot full of the latter may contain up to eighty individuals whereas the same size pot would
be able to accommodate upwards of two hundred snow crabs.
Today more people are seeking out this delicacy, as it is known as being a high protein low
calorie food. There are very few meals available that also provide such a mouth-watering taste. When this is
combined with a relatively low cost and wide availability it is no surprise to find Alaskan snow crabs popping up
on plates and menus up and down the country.
If you are interested in the actual figures then you may be pleasantly surprised to discover that three ounces of
the meat contain just over a single gram of fat and only ninety-five calories.
Biomass: In the Bering Sea, snow crab mature male biomass currently exceeds the target level.
Aquaculture: There is currently no aquaculture of snow crab in the U.S.
Spider Crab
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