WANTED: Chinese Mitten Crab
Liz McArdle
Aliases
- Eriocheir Sinensis
- The Borrow Bandit
What to Look For
- Hair (especially on claws)
- Claws resembling mittens with white tips
- Light brown in color
- Square shaped shell
Last Seen in Eastern Asia
Preferred Habitat
- Slow moving water
- Borrow and hide amongst aquatic weeds, gravel, or sand
- 50-77 degrees F
Offenses
- The crabs have a tendency to burrow in loose soil which can create excessive erosion and can lead to flooding
- Negative effects on fishing, the crabs tend to steal the bait and rip through netting
- They can spread the disease mammalian lung fluke which can potentially spread this and seriously damage the ecosystems they have invaded
Reward
- Protection against dangerous flooding and erosion
- Protection from the spread of specific diseases that can damage both wildlife and plant life
- Economically the extraction of this species will increase profits for the fish market
- Capture and control of this species will also provide you with eternal glory