Description

Live mud crab

Mud crabs are often found in the estuaries and mangroves of Africa, Australia and Asia. also known as Scylla sp. is a type of aquatic invertebrate which lives in the water for most of the time. The Scylla sp., is often farmed in a condition where we call brackish water, which the salinity is between freshwater and seawater, between 10-30ppt

Delicacy

Though the name does not sound appetizing, these crabs are delicious to eat and like stone crabs, they have a lot of meat. They are pretty robust species as well and will eat a good variety of organisms in the water and are tolerant of a wide range of water conditions. Chili mud crab dishes are very popular.

Their Taste

They are also referred to as black crab, green crab, mangrove crab, muddie, muddy and green crab. Many seafood fans in Southeast Asia consider them to be the tastiest crabs surpassing the Tasmanian giant crab and snow crab.

 

Things you didn’t know about Mud Crabs

• Mud crabs are crustaceans that live in mudflats and estuaries. They have been around for over 500 million years and are considered to be some of the oldest creatures on earth. They are known to be omnivorous and eat algae, bacteria, fungi, decaying matter, and even small animals. They are also known to be scavengers and feed off dead fish and other marine organisms.

• Benefits of Mud Crabs
  The benefits of mud crabs are many and varied. They help clean our oceans by eating harmful algae and bacteria. They also help keep the ocean floor clean by eating detritus and decomposing matter. They also help control erosion by breaking down rocks and sediment. In addition, they help prevent pollution by consuming plastic bags and bottles.

• How to Farm Mud Crabs/Mud crab farming
  To farm mud crabs, you need to find a suitable location where there is plenty of water and food. You should also make sure that the area is not polluted or contaminated.
• Once you have located a suitable location, you need to dig holes in the ground about 10 inches deep and 6 inches wide.
• Then place a piece of wood in each hole to act as a trap door. Next, fill the bottom half of the hole with sand and gravel. Finally, cover the top half of the hole with a layer of mud.
• After placing the traps, wait until the mud crabs hatch out of their eggs. When they do, remove them from the traps and release them back into the wild.

Philippines Mud Crab

Philippines Mud Crab (Scylla paramamosain) is a species of crustacean native to the Philippines. It lives in coastal waters, estuaries, mangrove swamps, and rivers. It feeds mainly on mollusks, fish, and small invertebrates. Its diet consists of about 95% bivalves and 5% gastropods.

The Philippine mud crab is a popular seafood in the Philippines. It is sold fresh, frozen, salted, dried, canned, smoked, pickled, and deep-fried.

It is eaten whole, steamed, boiled, fried, grilled, baked, sauteed, barbecued, and stir-fried. It is often served with vinegar, soy sauce, sambal oelek, garlic, chili peppers, and calamansi juice.

It is also known as the “king crab”, “king prawn”, “crab king”, “prawn king”, “big prawn”, “mangrove crab”, “mud crab”, “crayfish”, “crab”, “prawn”, “shrimp”, “freshwater shrimp”, “river shrimp”, “manila clam”, “clam”, “soft shell crab”, “bay crab”, “tiger prawn”, “black tiger prawn”, “red claw prawn”, “white claw prawn”, “brown claw prawn”, “yellow claw prawn”, “green claw prawn”, “blue claw prawn”, “orange claw prawn”, “spiny lobster”, “jellyfish”, “sea cucumber”, “sea slug”, “sea snail”, “sea slug”, and “sea cucumber”.
Philippine mud crabs are caught using traps, pots, and nets. In some regions, they are fished commercially.

The Biology of Mud Crabs

1. Size
   The crabs are small crustaceans that live in the mud along the ocean floor. They have been known to grow to about 2 inches long. Their size is determined by their diet. If they eat algae, they will get larger than if they eat dead fish.
2. Habitat
   These Crabs live in the intertidal zone, between the high tide line and low tide line. They prefer to live near shorelines where there is plenty of food and shelter.
3. Diet
   They eat algae and dead animals. They do not need much oxygen and can survive without water.
4. Reproduction
   They reproduce by releasing eggs into the water. After mating, the female releases her eggs into the water. She then returns to the safety of the bottom.
5. Life Cycle
   The life cycle of a mud crab begins with birth. When the baby is born, it is called a nymph. Nymphs stay in the water until they reach maturity. Once mature, they leave the water and begin to look for a mate. A male and female will mate once a year. After mating, the females release their eggs into the water. The males return to the safety of the ocean floor.
6. Population
   There are many different species of mud crabs. Each species lives in its own habitat. There are over 1,000 species of mud crabs.
7. Uses
   They are eaten by humans for food. They are often sold at seafood markets. In some countries, they are considered a delicacy.