Three-spot Crab

Three-spot Crab

　　The three-spot crab, also known as the "red star swimming crab," has sweet and delicious meat, making it a specialty of Lingshui City in Hainan. There are many ways to enjoy the three-spot crab: steamed to savor its natural flavor, boiled in soup with noodles, or chopped and stir-fried with scallions, garlic, and chili to make flavorful dishes such as scrambled eggs or bitter melon — every preparation is tasty.

　　The carapace of the three-spot crab is spindle-shaped, about twice as wide as it is long; the front part of the carapace has a granular surface, while the back is smooth. The frontal area is divided into four teeth — in adults they are spine-like, while in juveniles they are blunter. The lateral teeth are larger than the central ones but not more protruding. The front lateral edge features nine teeth, with the first tooth being longer and sharper than the following seven, and the last tooth being the largest and protruding sideways. The length of the chelipeds is slightly greater than the width of the carapace, with the merus having 3–4 spines along its front edge; the dactylus is very long. The surface of the last walking leg is covered with soft hairs, while the back part is smooth and spineless. The carapace and chelipeds are greenish-yellow, with three round red spots edged in white on the rear part of the carapace; the movable finger of the cheliped has a red marking; the walking legs are mostly pale blue.