* One of the most common crabs in the Gulf of Mexico
* Blue-green in color with white tips on its claws
* Found in shallow waters, including bays, estuaries, and mangrove swamps
* Feeds on a variety of animals, including fish, shrimp, and mollusks
* Commercially important species, harvested for its meat
Stone crab (_Menippe mercenaria_)
* Another common crab in the Gulf of Mexico
* Brown or reddish-brown in color with white spots on its claws
* Found in shallow waters, including rocky shores, oyster reefs, and seagrass beds
* Feeds on a variety of animals, including mollusks, barnacles, and algae
* Commercially important species, harvested for its claws
Red crab (_Geryon quinquedens_)
* A deep-water crab found in the Gulf of Mexico
* Red or orange in color with long, spindly legs
* Found in depths of up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet)
* Feeds on a variety of animals, including fish, shrimp, and other crabs
* Not commercially harvested, but sometimes caught as bycatch
Fiddler crab (_Uca pugnax_)
* A small crab found in the Gulf of Mexico
* Brown or gray in color with one large claw on each side
* Found in salt marshes and mudflats
* Feeds on algae, detritus, and small animals
* Not commercially harvested, but an important part of the food chain
Hermit crab (_Pagurus longicarpus_)
* A small crab that lives in empty shells
* Brown or gray in color with long, slender legs
* Found in a variety of habitats, including rocky shores, sandy beaches, and seagrass beds
* Feeds on a variety of animals, including algae, detritus, and small animals
* Not commercially harvested, but an important part of the food chain