Florent's Guide To The Florida, Bahamas &

Caribbean Reefs

Atlantic Blue Crab
Callinectes sapidus
Atlantic Blue Crab
Also known as: Common Blue Crab, Maryland Blue Crab, Chesapeake Blue Crab
Category: Swimming Crabs
Scientific Name: Callinectes sapidus
Size: 4 to 6 in. (10 to 15 cm)  
Depth: 5-50 ft. (2-15 m)
Distribution: Caribbean, Bahamas, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Gulf of America
Arthropoda (Phylum)
└Crustacea (Subphylum)
 └Multicrustacea (Superclass)
  └Malacostraca (Class)
   └Eumalacostraca (Subclass)
    └Eucarida (Superorder)
     └Decapoda (Order)
      └Pleocyemata (Suborder)
       └Brachyura (Infraorder)
        └Portunoidea (Superfamily)
         └Portunidae (Family)
          └Portuninae (Subfamily)
           └Callinectes (Genus)
            └C. sapidus (Species)

Crustaceans
Swimming Crabs

Atlantic Blue Crab

Sargassum Swimming Crab

Indo-Pacific Swimming Crab

Blackpoint Sculling Crab

Redhair Swimming Crab

Ocellate Swimming Crab

Blotched Swimming Crab

Speckled Swimming Crab

Ornate Blue Crab



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© 2025 Florent Charpin