Are Crabs With Black Spots Safe to Eat?

December 11, 2014

Question: I just bought two crabs and found one with black spots on the outside shell. I’ve seen these before and usually avoid them, but this time the seller sneaked it into my package. When I called him about it, he said he didn’t know what it is, but it doesn’t permeate the shell. This isn’t true—I’ve seen this stuff on the flesh at the joints. It looks like oil. Can you enlighten me? Besides being ugly, is it unsafe? (Mari V., Berkeley)

Answer: Black spots on the shells of crustaceans are typically composed of melanin, which is the end product of a series of immunological reactions. This means the crab was likely responding to some shell damage that could be caused by physical trauma or a disease agent. In this case, the black spotted crab is probably safe if cooked correctly. However, if the discolored shellfish tissue has an unpleasant taste or texture, or looks or smells unusual, we always recommend not eating it.

Really good to know. Thank you!

crabs with black spots are deadly, give them to me and I will dispose of them safely for you 

If you bought live crabs from oriental store and theres discoloration on the meat, that means you fell for the bait and switch like I did. I bought a 4 live crabs got home to cook and found all dead crabs. They wont even take them back...Mother flickers.... NOW I check my bag before I leave the store.

If you bought live crabs from oriental store and theres discoloration on the meat, that means you fell for the bait and switch like I did. I bought a 4 live crabs got home to cook and found all dead crabs. They wont even take them back...Mother flickers.... NOW I check my bag before I leave the store.

Or you can just catch your own?

If you bought live crabs from oriental store and theres discoloration on the meat, that means you fell for the bait and switch like I did. I bought a 4 live crabs got home to cook and found all dead crabs. They wont even take them back...Mother flickers.... NOW I check my bag before I leave the store.

Or you can just catch your own?

Yeah, if they are in season. 

If you bought live crabs from oriental store and theres discoloration on the meat, that means you fell for the bait and switch like I did. I bought a 4 live crabs got home to cook and found all dead crabs. They wont even take them back...Mother flickers.... NOW I check my bag before I leave the store.

It's better to drive to HMB and buy live crabs from the commies. The live crabs in the Asian markets are of variable quality depending on how long they were in the tank.