Portunus plicatus Risso, 1816 Liocarcinus depurator, sometimes called the harbour crab[2] or sandy swimming crab,[3] is a species of crab found in the North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea.

[4] It grows up to 50 millimetres (2.0 in) in width and 40 mm (1.6 in) long,[5] and can be distinguished from other crabs, such as the shore crab Carcinus maenas, by the curved rows of white spots on its carapace.

[2] The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

[1] The females in this species reach maturity within their first year of life.

They reach their peak of reproduction during the winter time in the Mediterranean.