Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Chaceon quinquedens
Also known as Atlantic red crab, Red crab, Red deepsea crab
Culinary Profile
Sweet and clean.
Delicate.
Atlantic deep-sea red crab is a great source of protein that is also low in saturated fat.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Atlantic deep-sea red crabs are large bright red crabs with a square carapace. They have long legs that extend to the side, so that the entire width of the crab is double the width of the carapace.
Biology
Atlantic deep-sea red crab females reach up to 5¼ inches (13.3 cm) carapace width and males reach 6.5 inches (16.5 cm). They reach maturity at less than 4 inches (10.2 cm) carapace width. Mating occurs after the female has molted, with the male carrying the smaller female beneath him for up to several days.
Where They Live
Range Along the eastern United States, red crabs are found from Nova Scotia to North Carolina. They are also found in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). Habitat Atlantic deep-sea red crab live in very deep, cold waters on the ocean bottom. Bottom habitat consists of smooth, silty ocean bottom, as well as rocky canyons. Light and plant life are scarce, and food is limited.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
Wild-caught from North Carolina to Massachusetts.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2022, commercial landings of Atlantic deep-sea red crab totaled 1,999.4 mt (4,408,055 lb, according to the final 2022 fishing year quota monitoring report . The majority of landings are from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Commercial fishermen use conical, or cone-shaped, pots that are wider at the base than the top. The gear consists of up to 150 baited crab pots in a string, and each permitted vessel is limited to fishing 600 pots. Landings of red crab are driven by market demand which can be variable. There is limited bycatch of other species in the red crab fishery.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Atlantic Deep-Sea Red 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 New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Halibut has a very mild, sweet taste.
Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Slightly sweet.
Shortfin Squid
Illex illecebrosus
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Atlantic Deep-Sea Red 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.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab get?
reach up to 5¼ inches (13.3 cm.
Where is Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab found?
Range Along the eastern United States, red crabs are found from Nova Scotia to North Carolina. They are also found in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). Habitat Atlantic deep-sea red crab live in very deep, cold waters on the ocean bottom. Bottom habitat consists of smooth, silty ocean bottom, as well as rocky canyons. Light and plant life are scarce, and food is limited.
Where in the water column does Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab live?
Range Along the eastern United States, red crabs are found from Nova Scotia to North Carolina. They are also found in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). Habitat Atlantic deep-sea red crab live in very deep, cold waters on the ocean bottom. Bottom habitat consists of smooth, silty ocean bottom, as well as rocky canyons. Light and plant life are scarce, and food is limited.
Sustainability Story
Stock Structure
Atlantic deep-sea red crab was assessed in 2023, but the stock assessment did not provide information to determine the population status so it is unknown. There are currently no indications that the stock is overfished. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . Every 4 years, new information is reviewed to assess stock indicators.
Population
The stock has not been assessed. Although the population level is unknown, management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Traps used to harvest deep-sea red crab have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Bycatch is low because trap/pot gear is selective, and the presence of other species is low because of the depths where red crabs are found.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the New England Fishery Management Council manage the Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery. Atlantic deep-sea red crab is managed under the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan which includes: Permitting requirements for commercial vessels. Limited to five permitted vessels that fish exclusively in federal waters.
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.