March 11, 2011
Bangkok (AFP) - A star crab left its aquarium due to construction work at the center and was to be transported to another Sea Life center outside in Paris.
Crabzilla, the largest living crab in Europe, was named after the fictional giant monster, the Japanese Spider Crab (as cited at http://www.dutchdailynews.com).
It was first caught in the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham and later moved to Sea Life Blankenberge.
Crabzilla or "Macrocheira kaempferi" is with the leg span of 3.5 metres which will extend to 4.5 metres (as cited at http://www.expatica.com).
The Japanese spider crab is one of the visitors' favorites even though it looks similar to a spider. The Sealife centre in Blankenberge already accommodates six Japanese spider crabs housed in a special aquarium.
Crabzilla is normally put in a refrigerated vehicle during the transportation. With a reservoir and special pumps, the crab will be in the special aquarium just in time to cash in for the Easter holidays.
Found in Japan, China and Taiwan, giant crabs show up on the sandy soils. Also they slowly move at the bottom of the sea, especially at a depth of 200-300 metres.
