[2] It is very closely related to the Florida stone crab, Menippe mercenaria, of which it is sometimes considered to be a subspecies.

Stone crabs have a hard exoskeleton shell which is brownish red with gray spots on top but a tan underside.

[2] Stone crabs are typically found feeding near jetties, oyster reefs, or other rocky areas, as well as in marshes, such as where blue crabs are, and can be caught with line or in traps.

[4] The claws must be at least 2.875 inches (7.3 cm), as measured from the tip of the lower, immovable finger to the first joint beyond it,[6] and harvest from egg-bearing crabs is prohibited.

Fishing for Florida stone crabs in warm water temperatures also increases post-release mortality.