Masked crabs, where to look?

[Force Eleven]

Hello again, sorry to start yet another thread in here

I have trawled through all the pages in the water-life section, and I occasionally found posts concerning masked crabs, mainly identifying them.

My question is, where do you find them? I heard that they like to bury under the sand. I know they are present here on the east coast, but I'm not sure where to look; middle shore? lower shore? What type of rockpool? etc etc blah blah

Any information on these interesting, mysterious crustaceans would be much appreciated

Thanks,

F11

[Geoff F]

As far as I am aware they live in slightly deeper water just off the beach, etc. Say 30ft plus, you may find one at extreme low water mark. I used to trawl up a few in Starehole Bay, Salcombe, S. Devon; a very small area but never found them anywhere else so I think they may be a bit fussy about where they live.

[Force Eleven]

Thanks for the reply Geoff

It looks like I will need some good luck to see one up here then

F11

[Tobyh]

I used to get these all the time while bait digging. I'm on the South Coast - Hastings area but it was at Pett that I used to remember getting plenty.

Basically big low tides, out as far as I can get most of the time just finding them while digging. I don't remember any topsand clues that they may be underneath but I did used to dig all the keyholes and other signs - mainly hoping for razors or white rag.

Edit to add - they used to be shallow in the sand, top 8-10 inches or so often just under the surface.

[Jim Greenfield]

I dive the N E Coast a lot in summer and masked crabs were relatively common from about 7m down on sandy areas - typically with just their antennae protruding. However, haven't seen any at all for the last few years.

Jim Greenfield

[epops]

i caught one of orford island last year only small but a masked crab none the less

[Force Eleven]

Thankyou for all your help, much appreciated

ps, excellent website Jim

F11

[coasty]

HI F11

I have dug bait on all the scarborough beaches over many years and have never unearthed one of those ,,

I have dug bait at Barmston ( near Bridlington) years ago and they look like a crab we unearthed from time to time, When digging for Black Lugworm at low tide ( Spring Tides) .

Hope that helps,,,

Andy

[Force Eleven]

Cheers Andy

[coasty]

Should be a good low tide tomorrow,,, Which beach are you going on??

Andy

[Force Eleven]

We went today Andy to cornelian bay. Lovely place. We can't go anywhere tomorrow, but we might be rockpooling on Sunday at Holbeck