Purple Shore Crab
Hemigrapsus nudus
Also known as: Naked Shore Crab; Purple Crab
Size & Weight
Average Length
1.0"
Max Length
2.2"
Average Weight
0.0 lbs
Max Weight
0.1 lbs
Lifespan
3 years
Habitat
Depth Range
0 - 5 ft
Water Temp
45-60°F
Intertidal rocky shores; under rocks; tide pools; Puget Sound beaches
Behavior
Spawning Season
Spring-Summer
Migration: None
Diet: Algae; detritus; small invertebrates
Fishing Tips
Eating Quality
Edibility
Not edible
Too small for consumption
Fun Facts
Found under almost every rock on Puget Sound shores; purple/brown color; smooth legs (no setae); spots on claws; often mistaken for baby Dungeness
How to Identify
Purple to reddish-brown; smooth legs without hair; purple spots on claws; square-ish carapace; found under intertidal rocks
Official Resources
Sources: WDFW
Change History (Last updated Feb 02, 2026 at 11:50 AM)
| Date | Change | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 02, 2026 11:50 AM | Updated Depth Min Ft | — | — |
| Feb 02, 2026 11:50 AM | Added image | — | species-113-a612e37a351daa44.jpg | Source: CDFW |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Depth Max Ft | — | 5 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Depth Min Ft | — | — |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Lifespan Years | — | 3 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Max Weight | — | 0.05 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Avg Weight | — | 0.02 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Max Length | — | 2.2 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Avg Length | — | 1.0 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Identification Tips | — | Purple to reddish-brown; smooth legs without hair; purple spots on claws; square-ish carapace; found under intertidal rocks |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Sources | — | WDFW |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Fun Facts | — | Found under almost every rock on Puget Sound shores; purple/brown color; smooth legs (no setae); spots on claws; often mistaken for baby Dungeness |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Conservation Status | — | Stable |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Flavor Profile | — | Too small for consumption |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Edibility Rating | — | Not edible |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated PNW Season | — | Year-round |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Best Bait | — | N/A - not targeted |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Fishing Techniques | — | Hand collection |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Diet | — | Algae; detritus; small invertebrates |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Migration Pattern | — | None |