Why Are Blue Crabs Blue?

Started by firstkegg, November 20, 2013, 05:40:28 PM

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firstkegg

After searching high and low, I can find nothing that gives an explanation of what makes these crabs blue. I was thinking maybe it's a defense mechanism? Or perhaps a dietary or genetics thing, or maybe a combination. Any information would be hugely appreciated!

flounderpounder

" I CAN SKIN A BUCK, I CAN RUN A TROT LINE A PA BOY CAN SURVIVE" 


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Crab Shack

If your entire life consisted of living on the bottom of a bay or river, eating dead sea life and raw chicken, getting kidnapped, thrown into a steampot, covered with spice and then cooked... you'd be blue too..... :laugh: :laugh:
NO CRABS WERE HARMED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THIS POST
WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS...FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE
YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID

Edaoud

Quote from: Crab Shack on November 20, 2013, 07:31:09 PM
If your entire life consisted of living on the bottom of a bay or river, eating dead sea life and raw chicken, getting kidnapped, thrown into a steampot, covered with spice and then cooked... you'd be blue too..... :laugh: :laugh:
:2thumbsup:Good scientific answer.

54bobby

Quote from: firstkegg on November 20, 2013, 05:40:28 PM
After searching high and low, I can find nothing that gives an explanation of what makes these crabs blue. I was thinking maybe it's a defense mechanism? Or perhaps a dietary or genetics thing, or maybe a combination. Any information would be hugely appreciated!
the same reason a lion has a mane, a turkey has a beard, and a deer has antlers. it's all about getting laid. ;D ;D

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crewstation

bobby, you're a man after my own heart......wait, you work in AC, i didn't mean that literally.....i meant.....you think like i do ;D ;D ;D ;D
Oh, de crab, he taste so fine.
Yuh catch 'um wid a neck an' a line.
Bile de water 'til 'e good 'n hot.
Den eat de crab strait from 'de pot.

Oh, de beer, he taste so chilly.
Drinks it 'til I gets too silly.
Washin' down 'de crab an' butter.
If I doesn't fall down, I'll 'ave anudder.

crabbywaters

Quote from: crewstation on January 12, 2014, 05:59:18 PM
bobby, you're a man after my own heart......wait, you work in AC, i didn't mean that literally.....i meant.....you think like i do ;D ;D ;D ;D
Oh, you just ruined my joke :laugh: :laugh:
I wish i was a crab.

54bobby

and that's also why sallys wear lipstick.

cja313

Its genetics, they have Blue Jeans LOL:) :laugh:

GA

Quote from: firstkegg on November 20, 2013, 05:40:28 PM
After searching high and low, I can find nothing that gives an explanation of what makes these crabs blue. I was thinking maybe it's a defense mechanism? Or perhaps a dietary or genetics thing, or maybe a combination. Any information would be hugely appreciated!
This was an interesting question and I found this paper (Baldwin and Johnsen, 2012).

"In the blue crab, both the blue and red colors are due to carotenoid-based pigments located in the hypodermis. As carotenoids cannot be synthesized de novo in animals, they must be ingested and may reflect an individual's foraging ability. In environments where carotenoids are limited, carotenoid-based pigmentation may serve as an indicator of individual quality."

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Luna Sea 3

Are they really the color blue?.. It is just a small portion that is colored blue, or red.  Most of the crab is brownish green to camouflage into the bottom. 
Luna Sea 5
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GA

#11
The blue coloring is referring to their legs and claws (male).

TheRiz

Quote from: GA on May 02, 2014, 08:01:13 PM
The blue coloring is referring to their legs and claws (male).
That is the bluest blue crab I have ever seen.

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