Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Prefers sandy to sandy-muddy substrates, at depths from 30 to 60 m.
Collected mainly by bottom trawls, sometimes by traps and nets. The commercially most important species
of Charybdis. Like Portunus spp., Charybdis feriatus is more delicate than Scylla, and is frequently sold
frozen. The lucrative and booming live-seafood market, however, is seeing the increased use of aquaria to
keep these species alive. The crucifix crab is especially important in markets in East Asia where it
commands substantially higher premium prices than Portunus spp., being sold for US$8 to US$15 per kg