An easy to identify crab the edge of the carapace looks somewhat like the pressed or crimped edge of pie and the shape of the carapace being wider across than it is narrow in length. The eyes set close to the middle of the carapace with four notches between the eyes. The claws are large with the colour of the crab dark reds to browns. Washed up shells may be whiteish.

A traditional food source for the New Zealand Maori as a larger crab that lives in the shallows it was and is an easy capture as source of food.

Note: This crab was added to the National Introduced Marine Pest Information System in 2017 believed to have been introduced from New Zealand at some stage in the past. Whilst there is little information as to when and what impacts this species will have locally.

At a glance

Habitat Sheltered reef areas out to a depth of around 20m
Size Can grow to around 190mm across the carapace
Origin Introduced
Distribution New Zealand and South-eastern Australia including Tasmania
Descriptions
Distribution
New Zealand and South-eastern Australia including Tasmania
Habitat
Sheltered reef areas out to a depth of around 20m
Size
Can grow to around 190mm across the carapace

Identification

An easy to identify crab with the edge of the carapace looking somewhat like the pressed or crimped edge of pie and the shape of the carapace being wider across than it is narrow in length. The eyes set close to the middle of the carapace with four notches between the eyes. The claws are large with the colour of the crab dark reds to browns. Washed up shells may be whiteish.
Common Name Pie Crust Crab
Aliases No Known Aliases
Origin Introduced
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Distribution and map

Distribution provided by The Atlas of Living Australia

Classification

Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumCrustacea
SuperclassMulticrustacea
ClassMalacostraca
SubclassEumalacostraca
SuperorderEucarida
OrderDecapoda
SuborderPleocyemata
InfraorderBrachyura
SectionEubrachyura
SuperfamilyCancroidea
FamilyCancridae
GenusMetacarcinus
SpeciesMetacarcinus novaezelandiae
Synonyms

Synonyms

Cancer novaezealandiae Jacquinot, 1853
References and dates
Original No original text available
Bibliography View page references
Added Mon 17 Aug 2020 @ 00:00 AM
Updated Tue 22 Nov 2022 @ 23:00 PM
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Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into trying to identify and ensure accurate identifications are made, and that the listed Descriptions, Sizes, Habitats and Distribution information is as accurate and valid as possible. Unfortunately, information in this arena is ever changing and as such no guarantee can be offered that it is correct or currently valid — the information is provided as a guide, and it is always suggested that you do a little research to ensure you have the latest and most accurate information. View the references or bibliography. Feedback and comments on the information provided are always welcome.