Slender Crab
Metacarcinus gracilis
Also known as: Graceful Rock Crab; Graceful Crab
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
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 |