I went to the Wholesale Market in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, more than 10 years ago, with a student. Suruga Bay (2,500 m at the maximum depth) is inhabited by a number of decapod crustaceans, and it is possible to buy them through brokers.

Auctioneers in the market. The photograph taken before auction (around 6:00 a.m.)

Metanephrops japonicus (アカザエビ in Japanese）This species is collected in the deep sea along the coast of Pacific Ocean (from Suruga Bay to Tosa Bay in Kochi). It is very expensive, isn’t it (more than 1,000 yen per individual).

The head of Metanephrops and Nephropus (Infraorder Astacidea: ザリガニ下目）) is unique, and is a bit similar to that of endrobranchiata (根鰓 亜目）

I visited Numazu perhaps in March or April. Many females carried eggs in spring. Embryos of marine decapod crustaceans are often greenish blue in color and is very beautiful.