The Jonah crab is a fascinating creature that inhabits the northwest Atlantic Ocean. With its large, brownish-red body, thick claws, and sweet, delicate meat, this crab is growing in popularity on dinner tables and restaurant menus. But what exactly is a Jonah crab? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this delicious crustacean.
An Overview of Jonah Crabs
The Jonah crab (Cancer borealis) is a species of crab that lives in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Newfoundland down to Florida. It is closely related to the European brown crab and is the largest crab species in the Cancer genus.
Jonah crabs have a oval-shaped carapace (shell) that can grow up to 9 inches wide. Their shells are a brownish-red color with reddish spots and light gray lines. Underneath the hard exterior are five pairs of legs for walking and movement, as well as large, powerful claws for catching prey and defending itself. These claws are typically dark brown or black on the tips.
One of the defining features of a Jonah crab are the three sharp spines on each side of its shell. Their underside is a lighter cream color. Jonah crabs also have two beady black eyes on stalks that allow them to detect predators and prey.
Where Jonah Crabs Live
Jonah crabs are found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Newfoundland down the East Coast of North America to Florida. They live in depths from the shallow intertidal zones down to 750 meters underwater on the continental shelf and slope.
Some of the key habitats for Jonah crabs include
- Rocky ocean floors off New England and Atlantic Canada
- Sandy and silty substrate in the Mid-Atlantic region
- Subtidal zones with rocks, cobble, sand, and mud
Jonah crabs exhibit seasonal migratory patterns moving into shallower inshore waters in early summer and offshore to deeper waters in the fall and winter. The crabs migrate to find ideal temperatures food sources, and mating opportunities.
Unique Behaviors of Jonah Crabs
Jonah crabs display some interesting behaviors and adaptations for life in the ocean:
-
They practice thermoregulation, moving into waters of their preferred temperature range of around 15°C (59°F).
-
To avoid predators like gulls, they will forage in deeper offshore waters despite food being more plentiful in the intertidal zone.
-
Their crushing claws allow them to feed on large shellfish like mussels and clams.
-
After female crabs molt, mating occurs and sperm can be stored for months until eggs are ready to be fertilized.
-
Females carry fertilized eggs for 5-6 months before they hatch into tiny planktonic larvae.
The Life Stages of a Jonah Crab
Jonah crabs go through various life stages as they grow and develop:
Larval Stage
After hatching from their eggs, Jonah crab larvae spend time drifting in the ocean’s plankton. The larvae molt through several zoeal stages over 30-90 days.
Megalopae Stage
The larvae then transition into the megalopae stage, taking on a more crab-like form. They settle to the seafloor at this point, preferring rocky or gravel substrate.
Juvenile Stage
Once settled on the ocean bottom, juveniles will continue to molt and grow. Sexual maturity is reached after several years.
Adult Stage
As adults, Jonah crabs continue molting to support growth, especially in males. Females have a terminal molt once maximal size is reached. Jonah crabs may live up to 8 years.
What Do Jonah Crabs Eat?
Jonah crabs are opportunistic predators and scavengers. Their diet consists mainly of:
- Bivalves like mussels, clams, oysters, and scallops
- Gastropods including periwinkles, whelks, and moon snails
- Crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and lobster
- Polychaetes and echinoderms
- Algae and plant matter
Their powerful claws allow them to crush thick shells and extract the soft meat inside. They use their other legs to place food into their mouth.
Natural Predators of the Jonah Crab
While their armored shells and bold claws help protect adult Jonah crabs, they still have predators to watch out for:
- Large bottom-dwelling fish like cod, haddock, wolf fish, and pollock
- Lobsters, which may fight with crabs over food and shelter
- Sea stars, specifically the 24-armed sunflower sea star
- Gulls, terns, cormorants, and eider ducks prey on crabs in intertidal areas
- Sea otters along the Atlantic Canadian coastline
- Humans are now major predators of legal-size Jonah crabs
The Jonah Crab Fishery
Jonah crabs were once considered a nuisance by lobster fishermen, but are now a targeted species in the Northwest Atlantic. They are fished commercially through:
- Lobster traps
- Crab pots
- Trawls
- Bottom-dragging otter trawls
The Jonah crab fishery has grown rapidly since the 1990s due to their declining predators and market demand. Landings increased from around 2.5 million pounds per year to over 17 million pounds by 2014. Regulations are now in place to manage Jonah crab stocks and promote sustainability.
Culinary Uses of Jonah Crab
So what do Jonah crabs taste like, and how are they eaten? Jonah crab meat has a delicate, sweet flavor. Their claws are especially prized. Popular culinary uses include:
- Crab cakes
- Salads with crab meat
- Boiling and steaming claws and legs
- Cold chilled claws with cocktail sauce
- Dishes accentuating crab flavor like pastas, risottos, and soups
- In sushi rolls, poke bowls, and seafood platters
The sweetness of Jonah crab shines through when preparations are kept simple. This allows their signature flavor to take center stage.
Nutrition Facts and Benefits
Jonah crab meat provides an impressive nutrition profile:
- High in protein – 16g per 3oz serving
- Low in fat and calories
- Good source of minerals like zinc, copper, and magnesium
- Contains vitamin B12, selenium, and phosphorus
- Omega-3 fatty acids promote heart health
With minimal saturated fat and calories, Jonah crab is a nutritious addition to one’s diet. Their sweet flavor delivers robust protein, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
Alaska | Super Jumbo
People often compare Jonah Crab to Dungeness and stone crab, but they are different and tasty on their own. The thick, meaty claws have a sweet taste and are easy to cook, which makes them a great choice for crab lovers who want to save money.
Before you try Jonah crab claws for the first time, you might want to try one of these ways to prepare and serve them to get the most out of your meal.
Jonah Crab chilled as an appetizer
When you order Jonah crab claws, they will arrive frozen and already cooked. That’s why our first step in preparation is to do nothing. Yep, you read that right. Simply defrost your crab claws and enjoy chilled, just like you would a shrimp cocktail. Another great thing about these claws is that they look great spread out on a tray and are easy to eat while moving around a crowd.
Jonah Crab warmed and dipped
That being said, Jonah crab claws taste great cold, but they can also be warmed up for a more traditional crab eating experience. Simply defrost your claws, then warm by steaming, broiling or roasting for a few minutes until heated through. Once heated, you can dip in one of our favorite homemade dipping sauces. The sweet meat and flavorful sauce go well together as an appetizer or as a main dish with a few sides. If you need inspiration for what to cook to complement your crab claws, check out this list.
Jonah Crab cake
Thanks to its unique sweetness, Jonah crab claw meat is actually perfect for mixing into a crab cake. There are a lot of different ways to make a good crab cake. We suggest finding a recipe with few fillers so that the real flavor of the crab meat can shine through. Either pan fried or baked, serve your crab cake alongside some complementary sides or in a sandwich.
Grilled Jonah Crab
For an extra layer of smoked flavor, consider throwing your Jonah crab claws on the grill. We suggest that you spray cooking spray on your grill grates and then wrap them in a few layers of aluminum foil to make cooking as easy as possible. That way, you’ll be able to easily move the claws around for a more even cooking. Along with the grill flavor, you might also want to add some extra seasoning, like a mix of your favorite spices or a healthy sprinkle of Old Bay.
If you’ve never had Jonah crab claws before, try one of the ways listed above at your next get-together, dinner party, or even just on a normal Tuesday. As far as we’re concerned, it’s always a good time for crab. Trust us: however, you enjoy them, these unique little claws are worth a taste test. Regardless of which method you choose, you really can’t go wrong with these tasty little claws.
Order some Jonah crab claws today.
Our crab claws are already cooked and frozen, so all you have to do is thaw them and serve them cold like shrimp cocktail. You can also steam, broil, or roast them for a few minutes to warm them all the way through. Or you can grill them or add them to your favorite crab cake recipe. Want the latest on recipes, deals and new releases? Sign up here!.
Sectioning and Shucking Jonah Crab / Fisherman’s Market
FAQ
Is Jonah crab good to eat?
Is Jonah crab the same as Dungeness crab?
Is Jonah crab the same as stone crab?
Why is it called a Jonah crab?
What is Jonah crab meat?
Jonah Crab Meat Ingredients: Jonah Crab, Water, Salt Sold by the 1lb pack Maine crabmeat is low in fat, high in zinc, and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. For decades Jonah crab was one of New England’s best kept secrets.
What does a Jonah crab look like?
Jonah crabs possess a rounded, rough-edged carapace with small light spots, and robust claws with dark brown-black tips. The maximum reported carapace width for males is 222 mm, while females rarely exceed 150 mm. It is the closest relative to the European brown crab in the Western Atlantic.
What is the life cycle of a Jonah crab?
The life cycle of Jonah crab is poorly described and what is known is largely compiled from a patchwork of studies. Female crab are believed to move nearshore during the late spring and summer and then return offshore in the fall and winter.
Where are Jonah crabs found?
Jonah Crabs are primarily found along the Atlantic coast of North America, with a significant presence in Maine. Is Jonah Crab healthy to eat? Yes, Jonah Crab is nutritious, rich in protein, and low in calories.