Cancer gracilis Cancer gracilis Cancer gracilis
                                                                                                                                                           male holding female
Cancer gracilis Dana, 1852
Graceful Crab

intertidal to 175m          carapace to 115mm wide
north Mexico to central Alaska
Similar in appearance to Dungeness crab, this one has a white margin around the carapace and is widest at the 9th tooth, walking legs are purplish in color in adults





Amphipods
Caprellidae
Caprella sp.
Caprella sp.
Skeleton Shrimp
intertidal to subtidal          size to 4cm
common, central California to north Alaska
Stick-like bodies, several species present in our area
Pinnixa littoralis
found in a Tresus capax siphon
Pinnixa littoralis
Holmes, 1894

Gaper Pea Crab

intertidal to 91m     carapace to 27mm wide
north Mexico to central Alaska

White and sometimes with dark markings, also frequently found in Tresus capax and other clams












Citation:  Pacific Northwest Shell Club, www.PNWSC.org
Home > Northwest Shells & Marine Life > PNW Shells & Marine Life Photos > Crustaceans

















Balanus rostratus
Balanus rostratus Hoek, 1883
Rostrate Barnacle
low intertidal to 338m     
size to 5.6 cm wide
Washington to north Alaska, Japan
Usually smooth with a narrow top, one side more vertical than the other

Balanus glandula Balanus glandula
Balanus glandula Darwin, 1854
Common Acorn Barnacle

intertidal          size to 2.2cm wide
north Mexico to north Alaska
Our most common intertidal barnacle, ridged outer plates, inner plates form a sinuous "W" or "M" shape, in crowded conditions can become elongated
Balanidae
Balanus crenatus Balanus crenatus
Balanus crenatus Bruguière, 1789
Crenate Barnacle
intertidal to 182m          size to 2cm wide
common, south California to north Alaska
Smooth white plates, squat appearance with wide base, usually attached to smooth surfaces, inner plates form a sharp "W" or "M" shape
Chthamalidae
Chthamalus dalli Chthamalus dalli
Chthamalus dalli Pilsbryi, 1916
Small Acorn Barnacle
intertidal          south California to north Alaska          size to 6mm wide
Gray-brown color, inner plates form a cross pattern
Balanus nubilus Balanus nubilus
Balanus nubilus Darwin, 1854
Giant Acorn Barnacle
intertidal to 90m          Size to 15 cm wide
north Mexico to south Alaska
A very large barnacle



Barnacles 

Archaeobalanidae
Semibalanus cariosus Semibalanus cariosus
Semibalanus cariosus (Pallas, 1788)
Thatched Acorn Barnacle
intertidal to 54m          size to 6cm wide
south California to north Alaska, Japan
Walls with numerous fine ridges that form into downward pointing spines

Crustaceans

(Oregon to Southeast Alaska)

Click on photo to enlarge.  Scale line in photo equals 1cm unless otherwise specified.  












Cancer productus Cancer productus Cancer productus Cancer productus
                     adult                                                    male holding female                   juveniles are variable in color and pattern
Cancer productus Randall, 1840
Red Rock Crab
intertidal to 79m          north Mexico to central Alaska          carapace to 200mm wide
Adults are solid red, juveniles are variable in color including striped patterns, strong claws with black tips
Brachyura - True Crabs  




Pollicipedidae
Pollicipes polymerus
Pollicipes polymerus (Sowerby, 1833)
Goose-Neck or Leaf Barnacle
intertidal to 30m          size to 15cm high
 north Mexico to south Alaska
Numerous plates cover the barnacle, lives in areas of strong waves or high currents






Cancridae
Cancer antennarius 
















 Hemigrapsus oregonensis Hemigrapsus oregonensis Hemigrapsus oregonensis Hemigrapsus oregonensis
Hemigrapsus oregonensis (Dana, 1851)
Green Shore Crab
intertidal (to shallow subtidal in some spots)         north Mexico to south Alaska          carapace to 2cm wide
Abundant, usually greenish but may be red to purple, juveniles can be variable in color, fringe hairs along the walking legs, a slight notch in the carapace between the eyes
Grapsidae
Hemigrapsus nudus Hemigrapsus nudus Hemigrapsus nudus Hemigrapsus nudus  Hemigrapsus nudus (Dana, 1851)
Purple Shore Crab
high to mid intertidal           north Mexico to south Alaska          carapace to 5cm wide
Very common, usually reddish-purple but can be green, sometimes claws have dark reddish spots, juveniles can be variable in color including all white, no hair on the walking legs

Epialtidae
Pugettia gracilis Pugettia gracilis Pugettia gracilis Pugettia gracilis
Pugettia gracilis Dana, 1851
Graceful Kelp Crab
intertidal to 367m          north Mexico to north Alaska          carapace to 45mm wide
Usually red but juveniles variable from white to red, may decorate with a single piece of seaweed on its long rostrum


Oregoniidae
Oregonia gracilis Oregonia gracilis Oregonia gracilis Oregonia gracilis
Oregonia gracilis Dana, 1851
Graceful Decorator Crab
intertidal to 436m           central California to north Alaska, Japan          carapace to 39mm wide

Cancer magister Cancer magister Cancer magister 
                                                                                                 a female brooding its eggs                                                                                       juveniles                                       


Cancer oregonensis Cancer oregonensis Cancer oregonensis
Cancer oregonensis
(Dana, 1852)
Pygmy Rock Crab
intertidal to 435m          north California to central Alaska          carapace to 50mm wide
Brownish red to orange to white, rounded carapace with warty protrusions, hairy legs, claw tips are black, found under rocks or in empty giant barnacle shells

Lepadidae
Lepas anatifera
Lepas anatifera Linnaeus, 1758
Pelagic Goose-Neck Barnacle
pelagic          size to 20 cm long
South America to Alaska
lives at sea attached to flotsam, especially driftwood, often found washed ashore












Talitridae
Traskorchestia traskiana
Traskorchestia traskiana (Stimpson, 1857)
Pacific Beach Hopper
very high intertidal          size to 2cm
north Mexico to north Alaska
Gray to red-brown, found in the high beach drift, one of many similar species on our beaches


Hyalidae
Hyalidae
Beach Hopper
unidentified
mid to high intertidal - Many similar looking species present on our beaches














Ampithoidae
Ampithoe sp.
Ampithoe sp.
Sea Fleas
intertidal to subtidal        north Mexico to Alaska        size to at least 2.5cm
These tend to be lower intertidal or subtidal.  The individual species can really only be determined by dissection.





Bopyridae
Orthione griffenis 


Sphaeromatidae
Exosphaeroma russellhansoni
Exosphaeroma russellhansoni
Wall, Bruce & Wetzer, 2015
intertidal     Washington     8.6mm
This species was separated from
 E. amplicauda.

Ligiidae
Ligia pallasii Ligia pallasii
Ligia pallasii Brandt, 1833
Sea Slater
Very high intertidal          size to 3.7cm
central California to north Alaska
Gray brown to slate gray, only found in the high splash zone

Gnorimosphaeroma oregonense Gnorimosphaeroma oregonense
Gnorimosphaeroma oregonense (Dana, 1853)
Oregon Pill Bug
intertidal          central California to Alaska          size to 1cm
Black to gray to tan, can roll up into a ball to protect itself



Pinnotheridae
 Pinnixa faba
 found inside a Tresus capax
Pinnixa faba (Dana, 1851)
Mantle Pea Crab

intertidal to subtidal     carapace to 25mm wide
south California to south Alaska
Usually orange but sometimes white or mottled, often found living inside Tresus capax but never T. nuttallii, can also be found inside other clams and a few mollusks and sea cucumbers
Panopeidae
Lophopanopeus bellus Lophopanopeus bellus
                                                                                                                                                                         a female brooding its eggs
Lophopanopeus bellus (Stimpson, 1860)
Black-Clawed Crab
intertidal to 80m          south California to south Alaska          carapace to 40.5mm wide
Variable in color, fingers of claw almost always very dark
Cheiragonidae
Telmessus cheiragonus Telmessus cheiragonus Telmessus cheiragonus Telmessus cheiragonus
                                                                                                                           male holding female
Telmessus cheiragonus (Tilesius, 1812)
Helmet Crab
intertidal to 180m          central California to north Alaska; Siberia, Japan & Korea          carapace to 102mm wide
Typically yellowish-green, sometimes reddish, covered with bristly hairs

Anomura - Other Crab groups  

 





Pugettia producta Pugettia producta
Pugettia producta (Randall, 1840)
Northern Kelp Crab
intertidal to 73m          carapace to 110mm wide
north Mexico to south Alaska
Kelp brown to dark red with smooth carapace, only juveniles seem to decorate rostrum with a piece of seaweed
 



Pentidotea wosnesenskii Pentidotea wosnesenskii Pentidotea wosnesenskii Pentidotea wosnesenskii
Pentidotea wosnesenskii (Brandt, 1851)
Rockweed Isopod
intertidal to 16m          size to 4cm
north Mexico to central Alaska & Sea of Okhotsk
May be black, shades of brown, greens or red, tail segment is rounded with a very slight point at the end









Pleustidae
Chromopleustes oculatus
Chromopleustes oculatus (Holmes, 1908)
Black and White Sea Flea
intertidal to at least 12m          size to 1cm
central California to BC
Black with gold stripes and a white midsection, lives in areas with strong currents
Sunamphitoe sp.
Sunamphitoe sp. (previously Peramphithoe)
Sea Flea
intertidal to ~18m          size to at least 5cm
north Mexico to south Alaska
Pictured species is likely 
S. humeralis which is found around brown kelp




Lopholithodes mandtii
juvenile
Lopholithodes mandtii (Brandt, 1849)
Puget Sound King Crab
subtidal to 137m     carapace to 308mm wide
central California to
south Alaska
Red with yellow, orange & purple markings, juveniles have pronounced elevations on the carapace
This is a protected species.




Orthione griffenis Markham, 2004
Upogebia Gill Isopod
intertidal          size to 1cm
north Mexico to BC, introduced from Asia
This is a parasite of the Blue Mud Shrimp.  The male and female of this isopod have different appearances.  It is an invasive species.













Pinnixa sp.
Pinnixa comparison
These are two male Pinnixa.
Note that the longest segment
of the third walking leg of the male is fatter on the P. littoralis than on P. faba.

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Idoteidae
Pentidotea resecata Pentidotea resecata
Pentidotea resecata (Stimpson, 1857)
Eelgrass Isopod
intertidal to 19m          size to 4cm
north Mexico to central Alaska
Yellow-brown or green, tail segmented looks forked



This page last revised: 7-21-2020

Synidotea sp.
Synidotea sp. ?
intertidal
This specimen about 2cm long, photo taken at Birch Bay, WA






Elassochirus tenuimanus Elassochirus tenuimanus
             in a Neptunea lyrata                           in a Fusitriton oregonensis
Elassochirus tenuimanus (Dana, 1851)
Widehand Hermit
intertidal to 388m          carapace to 50mm long
north Washington to north Alaska
Reddish brown with purple-blue on the upper part of the walking legs, right claw is large and flattened

Pachycheles rudis
Pachycheles rudis Stimpson, 1859
Thickclaw Porcelain Crab
intertidal to 29m          carapace to 19mm wide
north Mexico to central Alaska
Color variable and often mottled gray, brown or white, large claws are unequal in size





Phyllolithodes papillosus Phyllolithodes papillosus Phyllolithodes papillosus
Phyllolithodes papillosus Brandt, 1848
Heart Crab
extreme low tide to 183m          south California to central Alaska          carapace to 100mm
Gray to brown, juveniles white with orange or purple markings, triangular carapace with heart-shaped sculpturing, walking legs have white bands, legs and claws covered with blunt flattened projections


Cryptolithodes typicus
Cryptolithodes typicus Brandt, 1848
Butterfly Crab
intertidal to 55m          caparace to 80mm wide
south California to central Alaska
Variable in color, carapace has more angular outline than C. sitchensis and bumps on its claws


Pagurus granosimanus Pagurus granosimanus Pagurus granosimanus Pagurus granosimanus
           in a Nucella lamellosa                           in a Nucella lamellosa                 using a Hairy Hermit crab claw for a shell                    without a shell
Pagurus granosimanus (Stimpson, 1858)
Grainyhand Hermit Crab
intertidal to 36m          northern Mexico to central Alaska          carapace to 19mm long
Olive green with blue granules, orange or red antennae, claws have a granular appearance, prefers shells which seem too large so it can completely withdraw inside


Hemigrapsus oregonensis & nudus
Hemigrapsus nudus and oregonensis together



Lithodidae
Cryptolithodes sitchensis Cryptolithodes sitchensis















Pentidotea stenops
Pentidotea stenops
(Benedict, 1898)
Feather Boa Isopod
intertidal - subtidal     size to 4cm
north Mexico to south Alaska
Brown, narrows at tail end which is  rounded  with a small point
 








Pagurus hirsutiusculus Pagurus hirsutiusculus Pagurus hirsutiusculus Pagurus hirsutiusculus
       in a Ceratostoma foliatum                                                                             juvenile in a Haminoea vesicula                                  juvenile in a Nucella ostrina
Pagurus hirsutiusculus (Dana, 1851)
Hairy Hermit
intertidal          south California to north Alaska          carapace to 31.7mm long
Variably colored, becoming more olive green with age, banded antennae, hairs on legs and claws, hairiness can be variable, blue dot at dactyl of walking leg, juveniles have white bands on legs and claws, prefers shells on the small side, extremely common on Pacific Northwest beaches





Pagurus holmi Pagurus holmi
              in a Lacuna vincta                                   in a Littorina scutulata
Pagurus holmi Ng & McLaughlin, 2009
intertidal          size to 3mm
currently known only from the south Salish Sea  
This tiny species was discovered by members of the PNWSC during a field trip in May 2008. Nearly identical to a very juvenile Hairy Hermit but is an adult at this size.  The walking legs lack the blue dot on the Hairy Hermit.


Isopods

Pagurus armatus Pagurus armatus
                                                                               in a Neverita lewisii
Pagurus armatus (Dana, 1851)
Blackeyed Hermit 
intertidal to 185m          carapace to 50mm long
 south California to north Alaska
Reddish orange and white bands on legs, erect black eyes, a line of spines down middle of legs

Paralithodes camtschaticus
juvenile found at very low tide in Alaska
Paralithodes camtschaticus
(Tilesius, 1815)
Red King Crab or Alaska King Crab
subtidal, north BC to north Alaska,
Japan & Siberia

Hapalogastridae
Oedignathus inermis
Oedignathus inermis (Stimpson, 1860)
Granular Claw Crab
intertidal to 50m          carapace to 25mm
central California to central
Alaska; Japan, Korea and Siberia
Brown to bluish, right claw much larger and covered in warty blue granules, frequently in rock crevisses and holes and prefers the outer coast or other high current locations
 







Thoridae
Heptacarpus brevirostris Heptacarpus brevirostris Heptacarpus brevirostris
Heptacarpus brevirostris (Dana, 1852)
Stout Shrimp
intertidal to 128m          south California to north Alaska          size to 62mm
Color and pattern extremely variable, short rostrum ends in a single point, one of most frequently seen shrimp in the intertidal

Caridea - Shrimp












Grapsidae
Pachygrapsus crassipes
Pachygrapsus crassipes Randall, 1840
Striped Shore Crab
intertidal     north Mexico to south BC     carapace to 48mm wide
Striped pattern, red-black with green
Caution - readily pinches when handled

















Elassochirus gilli
in a Nucella canaliculata
Elassochirus gilli (Benedict, 1892)
Pacific Red Hermit
intertidal to 200m          carapace to 38mm long
north Washington to north Alaska
Brilliant red or orange claws and legs, white carapace




































Pandalidae
Pandalus danae Pandalus danae Pandalus danae


Crangon nigricauda Crangon nigricauda
                                                                                                                         female with eggs
Crangon nigricauda Stimpson, 1856
Blacktail Shrimp
intertidal to 201m          north Mexico to central Alaska          size to 68mm
A common intertidal Crangon, tail sometimes but not always black











Scyra acutifrons Scyra acutifrons
Scyra acutifrons Dana, 1851
Sharpnose Crab
intertidal to 220m          carapace to 45mm
north Mexico to Alaska
Brown to tan but frequently encrusted, surface of carapace very irregular, rostrum is two flattened leaf-like horns with rounded outside edges


















































Cancer magister
male holding female

Cancer magister Dana, 1852
Dungeness Crab
intertidal to 230m          south California to north Alaska          carapace to 254mm wide
Similar in appearance to Graceful crab, carapace widest at 10th tooth, serrated along edge of claws, juveniles are variable in color, grows much larger than the Graceful crab

Cancer antennarius Stimpson, 1856
Pacific Rock Crab
intertidal to 90m          carapace to 178mm wide
north Mexico to north BC
Common on the exposed coast, reddish-brown with strongly curved spines along carapace margin, black-fingered claws


































Cancer comparison
C. gracilis - C. magister comparison


Portunoidea
Carcinus maenas












Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758)
European Green Crab
intertidal to~ 6m (deeper in its native region)          carapace to 100mm wide
central California to south BC, introduced from Europe
Highly invasive, mottled green and yellow, juveniles variable in color and pattern, differs from all other west coast crabs with its 5 teeth on each side of carapace, so far has only isolated populations on west coast primarily in high intertidal salt marshes 










































































Hippidae
Emerita analoga

Emerita analoga (Stimpson, 1857)
Pacific Sand Crab
intertidal          carapace to 33mm long
north Mexico to central Alaska
Gray, egg-shaped body, found on wave-swept sandy beaches











Paguridae
Discorsopagurus schmitti
Discorsopagurus schmitti (Stevens, 1925)
Tubeworm Hermit
intertidal to 220m          size to 7mm
south Oregon to south Alaska
Reddish-brown bands on legs, yellow or orange claw fingers, lives in calcareous tubeworm shells which are attached to rocks

































Pagurus beringanus Pagurus beringanus
              in a Nucella lamellosa                            in a Ceratostoma foliatum
Pagurus beringanus (Benedict, 1892)
Bering Hermit

intertidal to 364m          carapace to 26mm long
central California to north Alaska
Pale blue walking legs with red spots and bands, reddish spiny claws, prefers a large heavy shell

















































Pagurus kennerlyi
in a Nucella lamellosa
Pagurus kennerlyi (Stimpson, 1864)
Bluespine Hermit
intertidal to 274m          carapace to 35mm long
north Washington to north Alaska; Japan
Pale blue to white claws covered with spines, walking legs have reddish-brown blotches, banded antennae

































Placetron wosnessenskii
Placetron wosnessenskii schalfeew, 1892
Scaled Crab
Subtidal to 185m          carapace to 73.3mm wide
north Washington to central Alaska
Very rarely intertidal, greenish-gray to reddish, carapace and legs covered in scale-like plates




Porcellanidae
Pachycheles pubescens
Pachycheles pubescens Holmes 1900
Pubescent Porcelain Crab
intertidal to 55m          carapace to 22mm
north Mexico to north BC
Color reddish-brown to orange-brown, claws covered with short thick brown hair, rostrum is hairy and pointed

 



Petrolisthes cinctipes
Petrolisthes cinctipes (Randall, 1840)
Flat Porcelain Crab
intertidal          carapace to 24mm
south California to north BC
Light to dark brown color, carpus of claw very broad, high to mid intertidal on or near the outer coast












Cryptolithodes sitchensis Brandt, 1853
Umbrella Crab
intertidal to 37m          south California to south Alaska          carapace to 90mm wide
Bright red to orange, gray or white, sometimes with patterns, smooth claws, more rounded outline than C. typicus



Cryptolithodes sitchensis
 







































Rhinolithodes wosnessenskii Rhinolithodes wosnessenskii
Rhinolithodes wosnessenskii Brandt, 1848
Rhinoceros Crab
subtidal to 201m          carapace to 74mm
north California to central Alaska
Gray-brown with orange and cream markings, triangular carapace with a deep semicircular depression, legs and claws covered with spines tipped with long hairs

































Crangonidae
Argis sp.
Argis sp.
Argid
subtidal
This specimen photographed in Freshwater Bay, WA





















Lebbeus grandimanus Lebbeus grandimanus
Lebbeus grandimanus (Brazhnikov, 1907)
Candy-stripe Shrimp
subtidal to 250m          size to 45mm
north Washington to central Alaska; Russia & Japan
Bright bands of red, yellow and blue; lives in association with anemones


























Pandalus danae
 
Pandalus danae Stimpson, 1857
Dock Shrimp
intertidal to 263m          south California to Alaska          size to 140m
Variable in color depending on habitat, broken diagonal stripes on body, often has bright blue spots, legs and antennae are banded

































Petrolisthes eriomerus Petrolisthes eriomerus Petrolisthes eriomerus
Petrolisthes eriomerus Stimpson, 1871
Flattop  Crab
intertidal to 86m          south California to south Alaska          carapace to 19mm wide
 Dark brown to blue, blue spot at base of the moveable finger of the claw