A Japanese spider crab believed to be the largest ever seen in Britain has gone on display at Weymouth Sea Life Park. The male crab, named Crab Kong, has a claw span of more than 8ft (2.4m), weighs 15kg (33lb), and is estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old.
The crab was caught earlier this month by fishermen in Suruga Bay, south-west of Tokyo. It will remain at the Weymouth attraction until Easter, when it will be transferred to a permanent home at a Sea Life centre in Munich, Germany.
Sea Life biologist Robin James, who visited the region in Japan, was contacted by the fishermen about the specimen. He described the acquisition as 'the aquarium equivalent of signing Ronaldo,' adding that giving people a chance to witness such a creature firsthand helps boost support for marine conservation.
Japanese spider crabs are commonly found in the Pacific Ocean at depths of around 1,000ft (300m), though they have been known to live deeper. In the wild, they can achieve a leg-span of over 12ft (3.7m), weigh as much as 19kg (41lb), and may live up to 100 years.
