Description 5 1/4" (133 mm) wide, 3 1/2" (89 mm) long. Fan-shaped. Upper side yellow, closely dotted with reddish or purplish spots, whitish to creamy yellow underneath. Carapace oval, fairly smooth, front border rounded, 3 teeth between eye sockets, middle one longest; 9 simple teeth to side of eye socket. Pincers stout, short, fingers bent downward, black at tips. Walking legs short, hairy at edges.

Habitat On rock, sand, or gravel bottoms, in estuaries and on open shores; from low-tide line to water 2600' (780 m) deep.

Range Labrador to South Carolina.

Discussion This crab enters lobster pots, and until a short time ago was regarded by lobstermen as a pest and a bait-stealer. But the rise in seafood prices has made it profitable to market the crabs as well as the lobsters.