Species information
Scientific name: Eriocheir japonica
Japanese name: モクズガニ
Chinese name: 日本絨螯蟹
English name: Japanese mitten crab
Origin: Japan (Hokkaido to the Ryukyu Islands), Russia, Korea, Taiwan
Ecology and description
The Japanese mitten crab is a relatively large river crab, with a carapace width of up to 7–8 cm. Its most distinctive feature is the dense, soft, long hair covering both claws, which makes them look like fur balls.
Adults normally live in rivers. Every September to October, they migrate downstream to reproduce, mating and spawning in estuaries or the sea, where most individuals end their lives. The larvae develop in the sea, passing through the zoea and megalopa stages before metamorphosing into juvenile crabs, which then migrate upstream and keep molting and growing in fresh water. This species feeds mainly on aquatic plants, but also eats animal food.
References: Toba Aquarium Picture Book, Okayama Prefectural Fisheries Research Institute, Zukan Bouz, Urasoe City Environment Map, TaiEOL, Wikipedia, Molecular systematics of the Asian mitten crabs, genus Eriocheir (NHM)
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
This species is occasionally seen during our 【Herping】 tours.
