Larval Stage Feeding

• As zoeae (the crab's earliest stage,) these small organisms feed on various types of plankton. They eat algae, phytoplankton and zooplankton.
  
  

Megalopa Stage Feeding

• The zoeae grows through molting and eventually transforms into the megalopa. As the crab's body changes, so do its feeding habits. This change broadens the crab's range of food. The range now includes fish larvae, small mollusks and aquatic plants.
  
  

Juvenile Feeding

• When the megalopa grows, it moves further on its journey toward adulthood. Juvenile blue crabs are both predators and scavengers. They most often feed on small fish and plant material; however, they often feed on dead matter that is found on the sea floor.
  
  

Adult Feeding

• As the blue crab reaches full adulthood, it now feeds on a wide variety of prey. These crabs primarily feed on mollusks such as clams, oysters and mussels. They also eat fish, shrimp and other invertebrates. With the use of their claws and legs, crabs search the sea floor for their food.
  
  

Alternate Food Sources

• Adult crabs are still scavengers as they will feed on plant matter and dead fish. They scavenge for a variety of plant matter that includes roots, algae, sea lettuce and eel grass. These crabs have also been known to eat other blue crabs.