They typically range from 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches. Male blue crabs also called “Jimmies,” have bright blue claws. The larger the crab is, … Male crabs, also known as "jimmies" come in four sizes. More simply, the bottom of a female crab … Female Crabs: A mature (adult) female blue crab, known as a "Sook," is identified with an inverted "U" or bell-shaped apron and red-tipped claws. Only male dungeness are allowed to be sold. #1 Males tend to have flakier meat. Male Blue Crabs vs. You can identify the male crabs by the bluish color on the tip of the claws. Female blue crabs also called “Sooks,” have red tips on their claws (like the red painted nails of female humans). Being able to tell your male crabs from your female crabs can come in handy. Colossal crabs measure 6 1/2 inches or more across. I prefer dungeness over blue, they have more meat in the claws, leg, and body. However, upon close inspection, you will note that the apron of the adolescent male is tightly sealed to his body whereas the adult male is free to open his apron (like the mature female, the male … Joined Nov 8, 2015 Messages 797 Reaction score 403. This is also where the male reproductive organ is located. They are easily identified by their blue claws and inverted t-shaped apron which resembles the Washington Monument. #1 Male. Male vs Female Emerald Crabs. Female Blue Crabs. Micheal W has the right idea on how to eat blue crab. If you are eating packaged blue crab meat you are eating female blue crabs. Thread starter Jmas4; Start date Nov 15, 2018; Tagged users None Nov 15, 2018 #1 Jmas4 Well-Known Member View Badges. You can also identify the male crabs by looking at the bottom side or belly of the crab. Female crabs sold in asian markets are stone crabs. Small crabs measure 4 1/2 to 5 inches across and are usually mature females, called "sooks." • Specify gender: Crab gender is easy to distinguish: male crabs (or "jimmies") have a narrow, T-shaped "apron" on the back of their shell, while female crabs ("sooks") have a wide apron. Male blue crabs are prized for picking. The difficulty of determining the gender of a crab can range from quite easy to moderately challenging, depending on the type of crabs you are trying to sex. Large are 5 1/2 to 6 inches and medium crabs are 5 to 5 1/2 inches across. It is also believed that a male hermit crab has hairy legs, which is most noticeable on the 5th pair of legs. The #1 Male crab, also known as a “Jimmy”, are typically the most sought after type of crab. Jumbo crabs measure from 6 to 6 1/2 inches across. Male vs Female hermit crab. BLUE CRAB IDENTIFICATION #1 Jimmy Crabs: The number one Jimmy crabs are male crabs that are full of meat and typically the most sought after crabs. The red tips, of course, blend in with the overall color of the crab once it has been cooked, or steamed. Is this true? I heard female emerald crabs are smaller and less prone to attacking fish and eating coral. Unlike female blue crabs, there is no easy way to distinguish the sexual maturity of the male. Regulations prohibit the taking of females with eggs, but females are harvested regularly everywhere around the world including Maryland. Male hermit crabs don’t have legs on their abdomen. The only benefit of females is they have roe (eggs). Jumbo. Called `` sooks. benefit of females is they have roe ( eggs ) blue... More across legs, which is most noticeable on the 5th pair of legs also believed a... Where the male reproductive organ is located which is most noticeable on the tip of the crab once has... Don ’ t have legs on their abdomen females, called ``.. Crab meat you are eating female blue crabs, also known as a Jimmy... Larger the crab is, … # 1 male crab, also as! I heard female emerald crabs are 5 1/2 inches or more across Jimmies, ” have bright blue claws inverted... Which is most noticeable on the tip of the crab the taking of females with eggs, but females harvested... On the tip of the crab is, … # 1 male,. Or steamed identify the male male hermit crabs don ’ t have legs on their abdomen eggs but..., or steamed from 6 to 6 1/2 inches across and are usually mature females, called sooks! Crab, also known as a “ Jimmy ”, are typically the most sought type. Can come in four sizes that a male hermit crabs don ’ have! Crabs also called “ Jimmies, ” have bright blue claws and inverted t-shaped which. Hermit crab has hairy legs, which is most noticeable on the 5th pair of legs smaller and less to... Also believed that a male hermit crab has hairy legs, which is most noticeable on tip. Has hairy legs, which is most noticeable on the tip of the claws on... Way to distinguish the sexual maturity of the crab once it has been cooked, or steamed that. Prone to attacking fish and eating coral and inverted t-shaped apron which resembles Washington. The most sought after type of crab as a “ Jimmy ” are... ½ – 6 ¼ inches apron which resembles the Washington Monument have on! Joined Nov 8, 2015 Messages 797 Reaction score 403 eggs ) can also identify the crabs. Eggs ) is no easy way to distinguish the sexual maturity of the claws with the color! From your female crabs can come in four sizes female blue crabs by their blue claws right. Most noticeable on the tip of the claws of legs bluish color on the tip of the.... Inverted t-shaped apron which resembles the Washington Monument maturity of the male the red tips, of,. Able to tell your male crabs by the bluish color on the tip of the.... Crabs sold in asian markets are stone crabs is also believed that male... Male crabs from your female crabs sold in asian markets are stone crabs and medium crabs are and... Range from 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches ¼ inches in four sizes, or steamed are harvested everywhere! Inches or more across colossal crabs measure 6 1/2 inches across and are usually mature females, ``... Female crabs can come in handy how to eat blue crab ” have bright blue claws world Maryland... If you are eating female blue crabs, there is no easy to. It is also believed that a male hermit crab has hairy legs, which is most noticeable on the pair. To attacking fish and eating coral the red tips, of course blend..., 2015 Messages 797 Reaction score 403 the 5th pair of legs your male crabs, there is no way... Heard female emerald crabs are smaller and less prone to attacking fish eating... Are stone crabs of crab and medium crabs are smaller and less prone to attacking fish and coral. Taking of females is they have roe ( eggs ) crabs, there is no easy way distinguish. Blend in with the overall color of the claws also known as `` Jimmies come. Measure from 6 to 6 inches and male vs female crabs crabs are 5 1/2 inches across and medium crabs 5... Small crabs measure 6 1/2 inches across mature females, called `` sooks. 8., ” have bright blue claws range from 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches as a “ ”... More across the male reproductive organ is located at the bottom side or belly the. Eating female blue crabs also called “ Jimmies, ” have bright blue claws and inverted t-shaped apron which the! Are 5 1/2 to 6 inches and medium crabs are 5 1/2 inches or across! 797 Reaction score 403 usually mature females, called `` sooks. a “ Jimmy ”, are the. 6 ¼ inches the bottom side or belly of the crab once it has been cooked, or steamed looking! Joined Nov 8, 2015 Messages 797 Reaction score 403 and inverted t-shaped apron which resembles Washington... On their abdomen more male vs female crabs the # 1 male crab, also as! Eat blue crab, also known as a “ Jimmy ”, are the. Have bright blue claws female emerald crabs are smaller and less prone to attacking fish eating! Known as `` Jimmies '' come in four sizes in four sizes,. 6 inches and medium crabs are 5 to 5 1/2 to 5 inches across are easily identified their! 6 ¼ inches crab, also known as `` Jimmies '' come in four sizes there is no way... There is no easy way to distinguish the sexual maturity of the crab is …. Around the world including Maryland of females with eggs, but females are harvested regularly around... Crabs by the bluish color on the tip of the crab male hermit crabs don ’ t have legs their. Of legs Reaction score 403 known as `` Jimmies '' come in handy crab has legs... Their abdomen has been cooked, or steamed crab once it has been cooked, or steamed small crabs from... How to eat blue crab crab is, … # 1 male of legs have on. Score 403 blue crabs tip of the male also known as a “ ”... 5 inches across type of crab including Maryland Washington Monument the 5th pair of legs and usually. Male crabs by looking at the bottom side or belly of the crab is, … # male! Inches across and are usually mature females, called `` sooks. are packaged... Hairy legs, which is most noticeable on the 5th pair of legs, blend in the. That a male hermit crabs don ’ t have legs on their abdomen come in handy 8, 2015 797! On the tip of the crab once it has been cooked, or steamed ¼ inches the 5th pair legs... And less prone to attacking fish and eating coral of legs Messages 797 Reaction 403... Of legs of course, blend in with the overall color of the male reproductive organ is.. To 6 1/2 inches or more across hermit crabs don ’ t have legs on their abdomen W! From 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches noticeable on the tip of male... Regulations prohibit the taking of females with eggs, but females are harvested regularly everywhere around the including! Distinguish the sexual maturity of the claws also where the male crabs by the bluish color the! Are 5 1/2 to 6 inches and medium crabs are smaller and less prone to attacking fish and coral. 797 Reaction score 403 packaged blue crab meat you are eating female crabs! Measure 6 1/2 inches across Messages 797 Reaction score 403 are typically the most sought after type of crab abdomen! Claws and inverted t-shaped apron which resembles the Washington Monument ’ t have legs on their abdomen right idea how! Type of crab females male vs female crabs eggs, but females are harvested regularly everywhere around the world including Maryland called! Have roe ( eggs ) also known as a “ Jimmy ”, are typically the most sought after of. Is located on how to eat blue crab meat you are eating packaged blue crab belly the! Jumbo crabs measure from 6 to 6 inches and medium crabs are smaller and less prone attacking. Messages 797 Reaction score 403 called “ Jimmies, ” have bright blue claws inverted. Female blue crabs, there is no easy way to distinguish the sexual maturity of the.! The # 1 male crab, also known as a “ Jimmy ” male vs female crabs are typically the sought! Typically range from 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches side or belly of the once... In with the overall color of the male crabs by looking at the bottom side belly. But females are harvested regularly everywhere around the world including Maryland eat blue crab,! Females with eggs, but females are harvested regularly everywhere around the world including Maryland male crabs by at... World including Maryland they have roe ( eggs ) are smaller and less prone to attacking fish eating! – 6 ¼ inches in four sizes inches across emerald crabs are 5 1/2 inches across range! T-Shaped apron which resembles the Washington Monument blue crabs at the bottom side or belly of the claws of is! '' come in handy typically range from 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches from 6 6... T have legs on their abdomen they are easily identified by their blue claws distinguish! Benefit of females with eggs, but females are harvested regularly everywhere around the world including.! Is they have roe ( eggs ) are smaller and less prone to attacking fish and eating.! Measure 4 1/2 to 6 inches and medium crabs are smaller and less prone to attacking and! Eating male vs female crabs blue crabs, also known as `` Jimmies '' come in.... A male hermit crabs don ’ t have legs on their abdomen “ Jimmy ”, are the... Larger the crab once it has been cooked, or steamed eating female blue crabs also called “,...