Chinese mitten crab

Scientific name

Eriocheir sinensis

Key features

Key features of Chinese mitten crab include:

• hairy ‘mittens’ on claws
• four spines either side of the eyes
• four sharp spines between the eyes
• smooth shell up to 8cm wide
• freshwater for first 4-5yrs.

Habitat

The Chinese mitten crab:

• mud on riverbanks
• estuaries and coastal areas.

Impacts

The Chinese mitten crab:

• burrowing causes erosion on riverbanks and shorelines
• damages aquaculture
• host of dangerous liver fluke which harms humans
• host of several crustacean diseases including crayfish plague.

Known established populations

The Chinese mitten crab is currently not present in Victoria.