Yellow Rock Crab
Metacarcinus anthonyi
Also known as: Yellow Crab
Size & Weight
Average Length
4.0"
Max Length
7.0"
Average Weight
1.0 lbs
Max Weight
3.0 lbs
Lifespan
8 years
Habitat
Depth Range
10 - 300 ft
Water Temp
55-65°F
Sandy bottoms; sand-rock interface; soft substrate; Southern California
Behavior
Spawning Season
Year-round peak in spring
Migration: None
Diet: Clams; snails; worms; dead fish
Fishing Tips
PNW Season
Year-round
Techniques: Crab pots; hoop nets
Best Bait: Chicken; fish carcass; squid
Eating Quality
Edibility
Good
Sweet; delicate; similar to Dungeness
Fun Facts
35/day limit CA; 4 inch minimum; light brown to pale yellow; no spots on underside; prefers sandy bottom; most common in Southern California
How to Identify
Light brown to pale yellow color; no spots or mottling; black-tipped claws; prefers sandy substrate; lacks distinct markings of other rock crabs
Official Resources
Sources: CDFW
Change History (Last updated Feb 02, 2026 at 11:56 AM)
| Date | Change | Old Value | New Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 02, 2026 11:56 AM | Added image | — | species-116-14841e56847693c4.jpg | Source: Wikipedia |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Depth Max Ft | — | 300 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Depth Min Ft | — | 10 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Lifespan Years | — | 8 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Max Weight | — | 3.0 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Avg Weight | — | 1.0 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Max Length | — | 7.0 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Avg Length | — | 4.0 |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Identification Tips | — | Light brown to pale yellow color; no spots or mottling; black-tipped claws; prefers sandy substrate; lacks distinct markings of other rock crabs |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Sources | — | CDFW |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Fun Facts | — | 35/day limit CA; 4 inch minimum; light brown to pale yellow; no spots on underside; prefers sandy bottom; most common in Southern California |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Conservation Status | — | Stable |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Flavor Profile | — | Sweet; delicate; similar to Dungeness |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Edibility Rating | — | Good |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated PNW Season | — | Year-round |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Best Bait | — | Chicken; fish carcass; squid |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Fishing Techniques | — | Crab pots; hoop nets |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Diet | — | Clams; snails; worms; dead fish |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Migration Pattern | — | None |
| Feb 02, 2026 10:59 AM | Updated Spawning Season | — | Year-round peak in spring |