Experts at the aquarium in Norwalk are trying to figure out how crabs native to the Pacific Northwest ended up in the waters of Long Island Sound.
Oyster fishermen hauled up four unusual crabs off the coast of Norwalk last week, threw three back but brought one to the Maritime Aquarium in the city, according to the aquarium.
Aquarium experts identified the 2 -pound crustacean as a male Dungeness crab, which is larger than most of the crabs native to Long Island Sound. Dungeness crabs are reddish brown to purple and have light claws while native rock crabs have black-tipped claws.
Senior aquarist Sandi Schaefer-Padgett said the discovery is "not normal" and scientists are now trying to figure out how they ended up off Connecticut's coast, the Hour newspaper reports.
She says it's most likely that someone purchased them and then released them.
State marine officials are monitoring the situation and telling fishermen to contact authorities if they catch one.
