David K - 5-15-2005 at 10:47 PM
Cyndarouh sent this in, hoping someone could identify this creature caught off Colonia Vicente Guerrero (north of San Quintin)... Here's her note with
the photo:
They are caught in traps 90-120 feet down. I have never seen the likes of
them. Maybe you can post it and someone would know what type it is. The
shells are so hard probably because of how deep they are with the presure
and such. Really yummy but never in my years have I seen this one. I grew up
with half the tuna fleet thought I had seen it all.
[Edited on 5-16-2005 by David K]
Sharksbaja - 5-16-2005 at 12:20 AM
It looks like libinia emarginata the ugly "Spider Crab. They are brown until cooked, then red. I have seen them at depths up to 70-80 ft. hanging on
to Macrocystis (giant kelp).
There are also many similiar sub-species that range in size and color. I have caught many off So. Cal. in the 60s-70s. They are very good eating and
grow to 5 ft across. The only thing uglier are two of them mating.
Cyndarouh - 5-16-2005 at 05:41 AM
David,Thank You for posting the pic. Sharksbaja, Thank you for letting us know what type it is. They are yummy but strange looking critters. It was
brown before cooking. A few of them made a beer can look very sm. 5 ft across that is something. 
Ken Bondy - 5-16-2005 at 06:24 AM
They are also called "sheep crab" in So. California waters where they are fairly common.
Cyndas Crabs
jrbaja - 5-16-2005 at 01:58 PM
That's funny Cynda. You can get them almost always at Popotla, not the trailer park!
Jr
Cyndarouh - 5-16-2005 at 02:00 PM
Just had to add some humor to you Bamboo life down south. Miss you bud. It is a bit dift.
than the ones I have seen Shell was much harder. 
