King crabs are a highly sought-after seafood known for their impressive size and rich flavor. These crustaceans are a popular delicacy worldwide, often sparking curiosity about their natural environments.
Geographic Range
King crabs are primarily found in the cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean and adjacent seas. Their distribution extends across vast stretches of this region, encompassing areas from British Columbia to Japan. Significant populations thrive in the Bering Sea and along the Alaskan coast. Some species can also be found in other cold ocean environments globally, including parts of the Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans, as well as near hydrothermal vents and cold seeps.
Major King Crab Species and Their Habitats
Several species of king crab are commercially harvested, each with distinct habitat preferences. The three most significant species in Alaska are the red king crab, blue king crab, and golden king crab.
Red king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus) are widely distributed across the North Pacific. In Alaska, major populations are found in Bristol Bay, Norton Sound, and around Kodiak Island. They also inhabit waters off the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Sea of Japan.
Adult red king crabs reside in waters deeper than 200 meters (656 feet), often on sand and muddy bottoms. They undertake annual migrations, moving to shallower waters in late winter or early spring for molting and mating, then returning to deeper feeding grounds. Juveniles inhabit shallower areas, less than 90 feet deep.
Blue king crabs (Paralithodes platypus) have a more restricted distribution compared to red king crabs. They are primarily found in specific areas of the Bering Sea, including around the Pribilof Islands, St. Matthew Island, and near the Diomede Islands. These crabs prefer shallower waters, around 70 meters (230 feet), but can be found from the intertidal zone down to 100 fathoms (600 feet) or more. Female blue king crabs migrate seasonally between depths, moving to shallower waters for egg hatching.
Golden king crabs (Lithodes aequispinus), also known as brown king crabs, inhabit much deeper waters across the North Pacific. Their stronghold in Alaska is the Aleutian Islands, with populations also found off British Columbia and extending to Japan. These crabs live between 100 to 400 fathoms (600 to 2,400 feet), though they can be found as deep as 500 fathoms (3,000 feet). They favor complex, rocky environments and steep-sided ocean bottoms, associating with corals and sponges.
Habitat Preferences
King crabs thrive in cold marine environments. They prefer water temperatures between 2 to 4 degrees Celsius (35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit). Some species can tolerate temperatures ranging from -1.8 to 12.8 degrees Celsius, immature crabs favor cooler conditions below 6 degrees Celsius.
The type of seabed is another important factor influencing their habitat. Red and blue king crabs prefer sandy or muddy bottoms. In contrast, golden king crabs are found in rocky habitats, utilizing structures like boulders, corals, and sponges for shelter and foraging. The depths at which king crabs live vary significantly by species and life stage, ranging from shallow coastal zones for juveniles to abyssal depths for some adult golden king crabs.
Primary Fishing Grounds
The commercial harvesting of king crabs largely aligns with their natural distribution. The Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands are the primary fishing grounds for king crabs in Alaska. Specific areas such as Bristol Bay and Norton Sound are known for their abundant red king crab populations.
The Gulf of Alaska also serves as a significant fishing area, particularly for golden king crabs in the Aleutian Islands. Beyond Alaskan waters, king crabs are also commercially caught in the Russian Far East and off the coast of Japan.