Sushi Treat for Japanese Crab

Sea Life marine expert Scott Blacker has turned ‘sushi chef’ to help keep the world’s biggest crab fit and healthy.

Big Daddy, a Japanese spider crab with a claw span of more than 10 feet, is one of the star residents at Blackpool Sea Life Centre.

Veterinary experts have devised a vitamin laced pill to supplement Big Daddy’s fish-diet, to help keep the colossal crustacean in peak condition.

“The key ingredients are Vitamin C and calcium,” said Scott, “the latter essential for strengthening his giant shell-suit.”

Big Daddy would never take his tablets straight, however, so Scott has learned the art of ‘sushi’ to help the medicine go down!

“It was a visit to a local Japanese sushi restaurant that gave me the idea,” he said.

“It took a bit of practice, but I think I’ve got quite good at rolling sushi-style snacks using Big Daddy’s favourite squid, mackerel and whiting.”

Big Daddy – named after the famous wrestler whose real name was Shirley Crabtree – now gleefully swallows his supplement wrapped in a sushi treat at least five times every week.

“These massive crabs can eventually reach a claw span of 12 feet, big enough to straddle a car,” said Scott.

Found in deep waters off the Japanese island of Honshu, the world’s biggest crabs feed mainly on smaller crustaceans and dead fish, and are reputed to live up to 100 years.

Sadly, collection for food has seen numbers diminish and forced those still surviving into icy waters – almost 2,000 feet deep – where they are less easily captured.