New Jersey Scuba Diving

Spider Crabs

Spider Crab

Spider Crabs Libinia emarginata are scavengers. Although they are fearsome-looking, they are actually slow-moving, and their usual claws-out threat display is mostly bluff. Spider Crabs have relatively small round bodies (to 4"), long legs, and rather weak claws. They are found subtidally to at least 160 ft, on any type of bottom, and are very common in rivers and inlets. They often cover themselves with detritus for camouflage, and can also burrow in soft sediments.

A related species is used for food in Europe. The only thing more unattractive than a Spider Crab is two of them mating.

Spider Crab — A large adult Spider Crab

Spider Crab — Looks like one of those old Japanese monster movies, doesn't it?

Spider Crab — A baby Spider Crab, decorated with algae that it has stuck to itself for camouflage

Spider Crab — A small specimen trailing a veil of algae

Spider Crab — I'm not sure what these two spider crabs were doing, and I'm sure I don't want to know !

Herb Segars Photography

Conger Eel

Conger Eel

Conger oceanicus

Size
to 7 1/2 ft and 90 lbs., usually smaller

Description
The Conger Eel closely resembles the American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, but is distinguishable by its longer snout and the very large dorsal fin that originates much closer to the pectoral fins. The Conger is also larger, frequently attaining a weight of 10 to 20 pounds and a length of 5 to 7 feet. Its European cousin, Conger conger, is even more spectacular, occasionally tipping the scales at 130 pounds and measuring over 12 feet in length. The American Conger is gray above and white underneath. The dorsal and anal fins have broad black margins. Overall, the Conger appears much lighter than the freshwater eel, thus the common name Silver Eel. The species is distributed from Massachusetts to south Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico westward to Mississippi.

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