Species
Blue Swimmer Crab
Portunus armatus
Tier 2Eating9/10ultralight tackleNSWVICQLDSAWANT
13 waypoints12–18 cm (max 25 cm) typical
Regulations
NSW7 cm min · bag 20QLD12 cm min · bag 10SA11 cm min · bag 20WA13 cm min · bag 10
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 7 cm min | 20 |
| QLD | 12 cm min | 10 |
| SA | 11 cm min | 20 |
| WA | 13 cm min | 10 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about blue swimmer crab
Coastal crab of bays, estuaries and beaches across most of Australia. Targeted with hoop nets, witches hats (where legal) or scoop nets over weed and sand flats — also caught on bait while fishing for whiting. Size and bag limits and gear rules vary widely by state.
Biology: Blue Swimmer Crab size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Beach, Estuary, Inshore
- Typical size
- 12–18 cm (max 25 cm)
- Weight
- 0.3–0.7 kg (max 1.2 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–50 m
- Diet
- small fish, molluscs, detritus
- Most active
- nocturnal
- Global range
- Indo-West Pacific
How to target: Blue Swimmer Crab angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- witches hats and hoop nets baited with mullet frames on sandy estuary bottoms
- scoop netting at low tide on seagrass flats
- drop nets off jetties on a tide change
Safety & handling
Powerful claws — pin from behind.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught blue swimmer crab
No blue swimmer crab catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: blue swimmer crab fishing spots in Australia
South Australia11
- Black PointShoreline · SA-34.60°
- Coobowie BayEstuary · SA-35.05°
- Davenport CreekEstuary · SA-32.12°
- Fisherman BayShoal · SA-33.55°
- Port Broughton JettyJetty · SA-33.60°
- Port Germein JettyJetty · SA-33.04°
- Port Julia JettyJetty · SA-34.54°
- Telowie BeachBeach · SA-33.06°
- Tickera JettyJetty · SA-33.75°
- Western ShoalShoal · SA-32.51°
- Yatala HarborShoal · SA-33.04°
Western Australia2
More information: blue swimmer crab references & sources
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