Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Also known as Opilio, Opies
Culinary Profile
Sweet.
Delicate and flaky.
Alaska snow crab is a low-fat source of protein.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Alaska snow crabs have a hard rounded shell, four pairs of walking legs, and one pair of claws. On top they are brownish in color and underneath they are lighter. Their eyes are green or greenish blue. Males and females can be distinguished by the shape of their abdominal flaps. On males this flap is triangular, and on females it is broadly rounded.
Biology
Male Alaska snow crab can reach 6 inches in shell width but females seldom grow larger than 3 inches. Scientists estimate that snow crabs may live for up to 20 years. Females can carry up to nearly 100,000 eggs, depending on their size. They hatch their larvae in the spring when there is plenty of food in the water column. When the eggs hatch, the larvae look like tiny shrimp.
Where They Live
Range Alaska snow crabs are found off the coast of Alaska in the Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas. Habitat Alaska snow crabs prefer soft sandy or muddy ocean bottoms, typically in water less than 650 feet deep, where they can burrow if threatened by predators and where they can feed on the animals living in the sediment.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Generally harvested from January to April in the Eastern Bering Sea, but available year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught in Alaska.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2024, there were no commercial landings of Alaska snow crab because the commercial fishery was closed. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: The fishing fleet is made up of a variety of vessels, from small inshore vessels to large-scale “super crabbers” that fish in the Bering Sea. Commercial fishermen use crab pots to harvest snow crab. They bait the pots with chopped herring, mackerel, or squid and lower the pots over silt and mud ocean bottoms. After a couple days, fishermen haul the pots back on board, empty them, and sort the catch – then start all over again.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Alaska Snow Crab ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc | 3.54 mg | 3 / 111 | 97% |
| Vitamin B12 | 9 µg | 12 / 106 | 89% |
| Phosphorus | 229 mg | 28 / 111 | 75% |
| Selenium | 37.4 µg | 29 / 106 | 73% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 170 mg | 37 / 104 | 64% |
| Iron | 0.74 mg | 49 / 111 | 56% |
| Protein | 18.06 g | 63 / 111 | 43% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 150 mg | 63 / 104 | 39% |
Other Alaska Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Alaska Snow Crab.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
Greenland Turbot
Reinhardtius hippoglossoides
Sweet, rich flavor that is similar to halibut.
Red King Crab
Paralithodes camtschaticus
Red king crab meat has a distinctive rich, sweet flavor and delicate texture.
Yellowfin Sole
Limanda aspera
Mild, sweet flavor.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Alaska Snow Crab, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should Alaska Snow Crab be cooked?
Alaska Snow Crab has Delicate and flaky. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
How does Alaska Snow Crab reproduce?
Male Alaska snow crab can reach 6 inches in shell width but females seldom grow larger than 3 inches. Scientists estimate that snow crabs may live for up to 20 years. Females can carry up to nearly 100,000 eggs, depending on their size. They hatch their larvae in the spring when there is plenty of food in the water column. When the eggs hatch, the larvae look like tiny shrimp.
Is Alaska Snow Crab a good source of vitamin B12?
Yes — Alaska Snow Crab provides 9 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g raw, which is 375% of the 2.4 µg daily value.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Alaska snow crab is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2025 stock assessment, Alaska snow crab is overfished but still rebuilding, and not subject to overfishing based on 2024 catch data. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock is overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Habitat impacts from crab pots are minor because fishing occurs in areas of soft sediment such as silt and mud that are unlikely to be damaged by fishing gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries , the North Pacific Fishery Management Council , and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game manage the Alaska snow crab fishery. Managed under the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs , which defers management of crab fisheries to the State of Alaska with federal oversight.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 20 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.