Striped shore crab

Characteristics

They normally roam rocky shores, and when humans approach them, they flee to the shade of the rocks. You can also catch it with your hands if you are careful not to get caught. On moonlit nights, they can also be found on roads a little farther from the beach. Generally, it is not eaten, but it is delicious when eaten with miso soup.

Ecology

It has a crustacean about 3.5 cm long and preys on sea lice, small fish, and dead seafood. When it senses danger, it hides in crevices between rocks and tidal pools. I don't go into the sea very often.

Use as fishing bait

It is sometimes used as bait for catching black sea bream and sea bream. There is a method called 'shirikake', in which a needle is inserted into the belly of a rock crab so that it can roam the ocean floor. You can buy it at a fishing tackle shop, but you can also procure it locally at a rocky place or near a tetrapod.

Habitat

Found near Himegahama, Nakajima, Ehime Prefecture. When I went to see the moonlit sea with a friend, many rock crabs appeared along the coastal road.

The small rock crab ran away as soon as we approached it, but it was alone on the embankment.