Spiders are Arachnids which means they have eight legs but in some species the front pair of legs may convert to a sensory function. Arachnids include animals such as spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites. Crustaceans include animals such as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp and krill. Both crustaceans and arachnids are members of the larger group called arthropods.

The Japanese Spider Crab is a crustacean. It is a crab. It is not a spider. The Japanese Spider Crab is the Biggest Crab in the World. The Japanese Spider Crab is also the biggest arthropod in the World. A fully grown Japanese Spider Crab can weigh 20 kilogrammes with a body length (oval-shaped and vertically rounded shell) of 60 cm long and a leg span of 4 metres.

Japanese spider crab is to be found in seabed of Pacific sea around Japan – in areas such as Sagami, Suruga, Tosa bays and IzuIslands.

Japanese Spider Crab is a delicacy to the Japanese. They are usually eaten salted and steamed. To cook Japanese spider crabs, cook them alive but first put them in ice to slow down their metabolism which will put them in hibernation. Prepare brine which is as salty as sea water. Boil the brine and then put the crabs for 15 to 25 minutes. When time is up, remove them from fire and leave to cool before serving.

Japanese Spider Crabs can be reared in aquaria just like rearing saltwater aquarium fish and other invertebrates.

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