⚓Follow the Lifecycle of the Blue Crab!

Today, we take a trip through the life of a blue crab’s early egg embryo stage to its fierce snapping excursions around Thomas Point Shaol Lighthouse. “Callinectes Sapidus”, the Latin name for this armored crustacean, captures the sea creature’s essence. It translates as beautiful savory swimmer, but first a few incredible moves through the waterways and growing pains. The end result will create quite a delicacy.

Hidden from view and protected from predators by the male father crab, “jimmy”, a female crab or “sook” hides in the eelgrass and crevices to keep the egg sack out of sight from predators. Protruding from her abdomen with 8 million eggs, the sight marvels the crabber. Shining a light on the crab, you’ll notice a bright orange in color. These eggs, filled with yoke will remain orange until the embryo inside eats the nourishment and grows its eyes. At that point, the eggs will change from brown to black. Set the clock and come back in 2 weeks, and you’ll notice the black eggs ripping apart and the embryos following the currents to waters at the estuary’s mouth, close to the ocean. This higher salinity helps the crab begin its growing spurt. Still not a crab per se, it now enters the realm of a larvae.

Better known as zoea, you’ll notice a one-millimeter creature with a long spine and tail-like abdomen. Yes, they seem erratic with their movement, but they actively search out nourishment for their unsatiable appetites. Microscopic plankton and zooplankton floats by their miniature mouths, and for 30-45 days they will stay in this zoeal stage. Soon, they will transform into the tiny crab appearance, but a swim to the touristy spots like Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse and other destinations, surrounded by brackish waters and seagrass is the next step in transformation.

“Megalopa or Post-Larval Stage” terms this time as they spend 6-20 days eating larger plant particles and insects. Then, finally, they enter into the juvenile stage, measuring 2 millimeters. Examining their diet preference, you’ll notice them eating clams, small fish, and worms. They will also move into the tributaries away from the deeper bay waters for less salinity. At this stage, you’ll see peelers and busters as the crabs molt from their shells. In fact, the juveniles which absolutely now look like a blue crab, molt into larger shells every 3-14 days. The males boast brilliant blue claws and the females with a reddish hue. Both have an olive-green appearance. The growth rate intensifies as the crabs find nourishment and the calendar days turn. Their lifecycle reaches upwards to 3 years, but in colder waters as the Chesapeake Bay, they can extend their lives to 8 years!