Blunttooth Swimcrab

Callinectes bocourti

The Blunttooth swimcrab is a swimming crab native to the Western Atlantic, ranging from Jamaica and Belize to Brazil. It has also been found as far north as North Carolina. This species is characterized by a light brown shell adorned with red spots and markings, while its claws and legs are distinctly red. The carapace is almost twice as broad as it is long, featuring nine teeth along the anterolateral margin and a set of four well-developed teeth at the front. The crab's pincers are smooth, with heavily toothed fingers, and its fifth legs are flattened into paddle-like structures, aiding in swimming. Inhabiting shallow brackish waters, the Blunttooth swimcrab is typically found at depths up to 40 meters, with most occurrences shallower than 20 meters. It thrives in environments ranging from nearly fresh to fully marine waters, often on sand or rock-shell bottoms. The crab is tolerant of polluted and stagnant conditions, making it a resilient species in various habitats. Its diet is diverse, including mollusks, other bottom-dwelling invertebrates, some fish, carrion, and detritus. Reproduction involves a precopulatory courtship ritual, utilizing olfactory and tactile cues, and typically involves indirect sperm transfer. Despite being edible and subject to small-scale fisheries, the species has not been evaluated for conservation status by the IUCN.