Polybius holsatus

Polybius holsatus, sometimes known by the common name flying crab, is a species of swimming crab found chiefly in the North Sea, Irish Sea and English Channel.^[2][3] It has a carapace up to 4 centimetres (1.6 in) wide, which is brownish-grey with a green tinge.^[4] It is very similar in appearance to the harbour crab Polybius depurator.^[4]

Polybius holsatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Polybiidae
Genus:	Polybius
Species:	P. holsatus
Binomial name
Polybius holsatus (Fabricius, 1798) [1]
Synonyms
Polybius holsatus (Fabricius, 1798) Macropipus holsatus (Fabricius, 1798)

The diet of P. holsatus comprises crustaceans, especially juvenile Crangon, molluscs such as Spisula elliptica, and fish.^[5] P. holsatus sometimes hosts the parasitic barnacle Sacculina.^[4]