Crab Species 3: Japanese Spider Crab/Takaashigani

TAKAASHIGANI-1

Takaashigani/高足が二, literally meaning “Tall Legs Crab” is the largest crab in the world and is caught almost only around Japan especially in the Suruga Bay In Shizuoka Prefecture and Izu Islands, but numbers of the crab have diminished over recent years, and there are many efforts to protect them. In Shizuoka Prefecture, people even help them grow from the eggs before returning them to the sea!

Fully grown it can reach a leg span of almost 4 m (13 ft), a body size of up to 37 cm (15 inches) and a weight of up to 20 kg (44 lb). The crab’s natural habitat is on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean (some 300 to 400 m deep) around Japan, where it feeds on dead animals and shellfish. It is believed to have a life expectancy of up to 100 years.

The Japanese spider crab has 10 legs. The front two legs have been adapted into claws. It has an orange body with white spots on its thin legs. In males, the limbs on which the claws are located become longer than its other limbs, and a large male can widen them to more than 3 m. The oval-shaped and vertically rounded shell can reach 30 cm in width and can be up to 40 cm long. The compound eyes are situated on the front, and two thorns stick out between them. Younger specimens feature hair and thorns on the shell, and their frontal horns are longer, but these gradually atrophy as the crab ages.

In Japan it is considered a delicacy and prices can easily jump!
The Japanese spider crab is caught using small trawling nets, and is often eaten salted and steamed.

TAKAASHIGANI-BOILED

Interestingly enough, when bolied/steamed, not only the shell but also the flesh turns red.

TAKAASHIGANI-SUSHI

They do make for impressive sushi!

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14 thoughts on “Crab Species 3: Japanese Spider Crab/Takaashigani”

  1. I’ve eaten everything from Whale to Horse in Japan, but for some strange reason, have never eaten crabs in any form! This thing will not escape me next time! Anyway, dropped by to check out what kind of seafood is seasonal at the moment. Having a sushi/sashimi party this Wednesday, so doing some research on your blog before going to the fish market! Do you have any recommendations of seafood thats in season in France?

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    1. Cheers, Nick!
      Oysters should be still fine. Mussels are great!
      As for fish try lotte/frogfish-monkfish.
      If it’s sashimi/sushi keep to fresh white-flesh fish such as cabillaud/young cod, turbot, sole and the like!
      All the best!
      Cheers,
      Roert-Gilles

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  2. I’ve heard of these crabs, but never seen them up close. Kind of creepy looking to me. Then again. I hate spiders so that may be a factor. But I’ll eat these buggers either way. LOL.

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