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Slender Crab

Species Identification

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Slender Crab

Slender Crab

Metacarcinus gracilis

Also known as: Graceful Rock Crab; Graceful Crab

Crab Native Stable

Size & Weight

Average Length 3.0"
Max Length 5.0"
Average Weight 0.3 lbs
Max Weight 1.0 lbs
Lifespan 5 years

Habitat

Depth Range 0 - 500 ft
Water Temp 50-60°F

Sandy and muddy bottoms; eelgrass beds; bays and estuaries

Behavior

Spawning Season Spring-Summer

Migration: None

Diet: Clams; worms; small invertebrates; detritus

Fishing Tips

PNW Season Year-round
View season chart →

Techniques: Crab pots; hoop nets

Best Bait: Chicken; fish carcass

Eating Quality

Edibility Fair

Sweet; small yield

Fun Facts

Included in 35/day rock crab limit in CA; more slender oval shell than other rock crabs; prefers soft substrate; often in bays/estuaries

How to Identify

Broad oval shell; more slender than other rock crabs; dark purple-brown; black-tipped claws; prefers sandy/muddy substrate in bays
Sources: CDFW
Change History (Last updated Feb 02, 2026 at 11:53 AM)
Date Change Old Value New Value
Feb 02, 2026 11:53 AM Updated Depth Min Ft
Feb 02, 2026 11:53 AM Added image species-118-96207e97ecf506e1.jpg | Source: Wikipedia
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Depth Max Ft 500
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Depth Min Ft
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Lifespan Years 5
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Max Weight 1.0
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Avg Weight 0.3
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Max Length 5.0
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Avg Length 3.0
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Identification Tips Broad oval shell; more slender than other rock crabs; dark purple-brown; black-tipped claws; prefers sandy/muddy substrate in bays
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Sources CDFW
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Fun Facts Included in 35/day rock crab limit in CA; more slender oval shell than other rock crabs; prefers soft substrate; often in bays/estuaries
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Conservation Status Stable
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Flavor Profile Sweet; small yield
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Edibility Rating Fair
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated PNW Season Year-round
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Best Bait Chicken; fish carcass
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Fishing Techniques Crab pots; hoop nets
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Diet Clams; worms; small invertebrates; detritus
Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM Updated Migration Pattern None

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