King crabs are marine crustaceans known for their substantial size, with some species reaching a leg span up to 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) and weighing over 12 kilograms (28 pounds). They are a highly valued seafood delicacy.
Global Ocean Habitats
King crabs generally inhabit cold, northern ocean waters, primarily across the North Pacific Ocean and its adjacent seas. Significant populations are found throughout the Bering Sea, including waters off Alaska and Russia.
They also extend into the Gulf of Alaska, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Sea of Japan. Furthermore, some king crab species have established populations in the Barents Sea, introduced during the 1960s.
Deep-Water Environments
King crabs primarily reside in deep-water environments. While some red and blue king crabs can be found in shallower waters around 200 feet, golden king crabs typically inhabit much greater depths, sometimes exceeding 1,600 feet. Adult red king crabs often live more than 200 meters (656 feet) on sand and muddy substrates.
Their preferred habitats feature consistently cold water temperatures, typically ranging from 1 to 4 degrees Celsius. Seafloor composition also plays a role, with some species favoring soft sediments like sand and mud, while others seek rocky or gravel bottoms.
Species-Specific Locations
Red King Crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus) are widely distributed across the North Pacific. They are abundant in the Bering Sea, including Bristol Bay and Norton Sound, and extend into the Gulf of Alaska and along the Aleutian Islands. Populations also thrive off the Kamchatka Peninsula, in the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Sea of Japan. These crabs often migrate from deeper feeding grounds to shallower coastal areas for molting and reproduction, preferring soft, muddy substrates.
Blue King Crabs (Paralithodes platypus) have a localized distribution, concentrated in specific regions of the Bering Sea. Populations are found near St. Matthew Island, the Pribilof Islands, and the Diomede Islands, with some presence in Norton Sound and St. Lawrence Island. They inhabit rocky substrates at depths ranging from 20 to 500 meters (66 to 1,640 feet).
Golden King Crabs (Lithodes aequispinus), also known as brown king crabs, inhabit very deep waters across the North Pacific. Their range includes the Aleutian Islands, the Gulf of Alaska, and parts of the Bering Sea, extending to the Russian Far East and Japan. These crabs are found at depths exceeding 550 meters (1,800 feet) and prefer complex, steep-sided ocean bottoms that offer rocky habitats, corals, and sponges.