Puget Sound King Crab

Lopholithodes mandtii

The Puget Sound king crab (Lopholithodes mandtii) is a large, strikingly colorful lithodid crab found in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Adults reach a carapace width of 20-30 cm and display a rough, heavily armored body with vivid coloration ranging from bright orange and red to purple and brown, often with contrasting bands on the legs. Their box-like carapace has prominent bumps and ridges. They inhabit rocky reefs, boulder fields, and kelp forests at depths of 10-140 meters, though most commonly encountered between 20-60 meters. They are omnivorous scavengers and predators feeding on sea urchins, barnacles, and other invertebrates. Despite their name, they are only distantly related to commercial king crabs. They are solitary and can tuck their legs beneath their shell to resemble a rock when disturbed. Their spectacular coloration and impressive size make them one of the most exciting crustacean encounters for divers in the Pacific Northwest.