Dongping Lake Hairy Crab

Dongping Lake Hairy Crab

　　Dongping Lake Hairy Crab, scientifically known as the Chinese mitten crab, is also called river crab or simply crab. It belongs to the phylum Arthropoda, class Crustacea, and genus Eriocheir. The hairy crab has a wide, flat body, with a dark green back and a white belly. Its five pairs of walking legs extend symmetrically on both sides of the body. The first pair of pincers is particularly well-developed, shaped like tongs, and densely covered with hair-like bristles on the front part. The surface of the crab shell is uneven and divided into multiple compartments, each corresponding to internal organs.

　　　 Hairy crabs are omnivorous and live in burrows, foraging at night. They eat both plant and animal matter but prefer animal-based food such as fish, shrimp, clams, snails, and animal viscera. They can endure starvation but will also engage in cannibalism when food is scarce. When food is abundant, they consume large amounts and store the nutrients.

　　　 Hairy crabs are migratory aquatic animals that reach sexual maturity after spending two autumns in freshwater. Around the transition from autumn to winter, they migrate from rivers into the sea to spawn. Female crabs carry their eggs between their limbs and return to estuaries in early spring or early summer the following year to hatch. The larvae go through metamorphosis to become juvenile crabs. The young crabs then enter estuaries with lake water and gradually migrate to freshwater habitats where they settle. In recent years, the number of artificially hatched crab fry has increased significantly.

　　　 Dongping Lake Hairy Crabs are highly popular for their large size, rich roe, solid yellow fat, tender meat, delicious flavor, and high nutritional value, making them a best-selling product in both domestic and international markets. Historical records indicate that before 1958, there was a considerable population of hairy crabs in Dongping Lake. However, after the construction of the Chen Shankou Dam, which blocked their migratory routes, coupled with the fluctuating water levels of the Yellow River, they disappeared. Starting in 1975, 450 kilograms of crab fry were artificially released into Dongping Lake, leading to a significant increase in crab production. In recent years, with advancements in artificial breeding techniques, pond farming of hairy crabs has gradually been promoted. By 2000, the city had over 5,000 acres of pond farming area and 12,000 acres of net-enclosed farming, yielding more than 500 tons of mature crabs annually.