It is not clear how this species established a presence so far away from their natural range, although the most likely explanation is that the larva of this species has been transported from Asia in the ballast water of commercial ships. The crabs are the only freshwater crab species in Germany, and their tendency to dig holes has caused damage to industrial infrastructure and dams.The first time the crab was brought to Europe was most likely by commercial vessels. Their main prey consists of worms, mussels, snails, dead organic material, and other small crustaceans and fish.Starts off as a fresh-water organism. This species is now present in European and North America waters as an invasive species.
Huge downstream migrations of Chinese mitten crabs have also caused water intakes and turbines in dams to become blocked.Attempts to remove or even just manage Chinese mitten crab numbers in areas where they have established themselves have proved very difficult. During their fourth or fifth year in late summer, the crustaceans migrate downstream and attain sexual maturity in the tidal estuaries. Males have a V-shaped abdomen, while females have a U-shaped abdomen. After the crabs successfully reproduce, they have very little energy and begin to waste away.1) Eggs require pure salt water to mature. All the following efforts were attempted but showed little improvement: "catch as many as you can", migration barriers, trapping, raising awareness, electrical screens, and pulses.There has been a discussion of capturing the breeding crabs at the river mouths. The larvae hatch from the eggs during summer and they float and drift about the brackish waters. All the following efforts were attempted but showed little improvement: "catch as many as you can", migration barriers, trapping, raising awareness, electrical screens, and pulses.There has been a discussion of capturing the breeding crabs at the river mouths.