blue swimmers
Scientific Name: Portunus pelagicus
Also known as the flower crab, Blue Swimmers are found in the deeper waters of intertidal estuaries but can occasionally be found in shallow waters. They’re found in most coastal regions of Australia, from Northern Queensland to Eden in New South Wales; Western Australia and the South Australian Gulfs. Blue Swimmers are the sweetest of the crabs found commercially. An excellent addition to pasta, they only take 7 minutes to cook. Get your pot of water to a rolling boil, and chuck them in with a bit of salt and sugar.
sand crabs
Scientific Name: Ovalipes australiensis
Also known as the surf crab, these crabs are easy to identify with the two dark red spots on its carapace. They are found on intertidal beaches, and in estuaries and oceans up to a depth of 35m. Found in most states of Australia, you can find the sand crab from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania to Western Australia!
Though not as sweet as the Blue Swimmer Crab, these crabs are a beautiful addition to pasta and great served on their own.
