Paralithodes camtschaticus have a dark red body and are characterized by having a fan shaped tail. King crabs have 5 sets of appendages, the first two are pincers, the right is usually larger then the left. The last appendages are used for mating. For males the last two appendages are used to spread spermatophore over the genital opening of a female, and for females the appendages are used to aid in the spreading of the spermatophore.
Range mass: 12.7 (high) kg.
Average mass: 10 kg.
Average length: 220 mm.
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike