Raising Dungeness crabs (Metacarcinus magister, formerly Cancer magister) can be a rewarding endeavor, whether for aquaculture, research, or educational purposes—but it comes with significant biological, logistical, and regulatory challenges.
Permits Required: In most U.S. West Coast states (California, Oregon, Washington) and Canadian provinces (e.g., British Columbia), collecting wild Dungeness crabs—or their larvae—requires permits from fisheries or wildlife agencies.
Aquaculture Licenses: Commercial crab farming may not be legal in certain jurisdictions, as wild-caught Dungeness crab fisheries are tightly managed. Always consult local authorities (e.g., NOAA Fisheries, state DFW) before starting.
Understanding their natural biology is critical:
Eggs: Females carry 0.5–2 million eggs under their abdomen (pleopods) for 3–5 months.
Larval Stages: After hatching, they go through 5 zoeal stages (free-swimming planktonic larvae) over 2–4 months, followed by 1 megalopa stage before becoming juveniles.
Juveniles: Settle to the bottom and resemble tiny crabs. They molt frequently and grow rapidly.
Maturity: Reach legal harvest size (~6¼ inches carapace width) in 2–3 years.
⚠️ Biggest Challenge: Successfully rearing larvae through zoeal stages is extremely difficult due to specialized feeding and water quality needs.
A. Broodstock Collection & Care
Source: Obtain mature, berried (egg-carrying) females legally during open season.
Tank Setup:
Size: 50–100+ gallons
Water: Chilled seawater (8–12°C / 46–54°F), salinity 28–32 ppt
Filtration: Protein skimmer, biofiltration, UV sterilizer
Substrate: Sandy bottom with hiding places
Diet: Clams, fish, squid, commercial crustacean pellets
B. Larval Rearing (Most Difficult Phase)
Hatching: Eggs hatch at night; transfer larvae to separate rearing tanks.
Water Quality: Stable temperature, pristine water, gentle aeration (no strong currents)
Feeding:
Zoea I–II: Live rotifers and phytoplankton (e.g., Isochrysis, Chaetoceros)
Zoea III–V: Artemia nauplii (newly hatched brine shrimp), enriched with DHA
Megalopa: Begin offering minced seafood, copepods
Density: Keep low (<50 larvae/L) to reduce cannibalism
C. Juvenile & Grow-Out Phase
Housing: Individual compartments or heavily structured tanks to prevent aggression
Molting: Provide iodine supplements and calcium-rich diet
Growth: Feed daily; expect slow growth compared to other aquaculture species
High Mortality: Especially during larval transitions
Disease: Bacterial/fungal infections in crowded conditions
Cannibalism: Crabs are highly cannibalistic without adequate shelter or space
Feed Conversion: Inefficient compared to shrimp or fish aquaculture
Not widely farmed: Due to long larval phase, low survival rates, and abundant wild stocks.
Research Focus: Institutions like Oregon State University and NOAA are studying hatchery techniques, but large-scale farming remains experimental.
Hatchery-Supported Enhancement: Some programs release hatchery-raised juveniles to boost wild populations (still under study).
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): Being explored but not yet cost-effective.
NOAA Fisheries: Dungeness Crab Biology & Management
Oregon State University – Aquaculture Program
“Crustacean Larval Rearing” (Journal of the World Aquaculture Society)
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Raising Dungeness crabs is feasible for research or small-scale educational use with proper permits and expertise, but not recommended for beginners or as a commercial venture without significant investment and regulatory approval.
Related Keywords: Dungeness crab aquaculture, Raising Dungeness crabs at home, Dungeness crab farming guide, Dungeness crab larvae care, How to hatch Dungeness crab eggs, Dungeness crab tank setup, Dungeness crab water requirements, Feeding Dungeness crab juveniles, Dungeness crab molting cycle, Dungeness crab broodstock management, Dungeness crab zoea stage, Saltwater tank for Dungeness crab, Dungeness crab growth rate, Legal permits for crab farming, Dungeness crab diet and nutrition, Preventing cannibalism in crabs, Dungeness crab life cycle, Indoor Dungeness crab rearing, Dungeness crab temperature needs, Sustainable Dungeness crab cultivation