Maturity is reached by the second year at carapace lengths of 120-170 mm. Growth in decapods is highly dependent on temperature, molt frequency, food quality and availability, and life stage. Generally, growth occurs at temperatures over 15 C, and is mostly unaffected by salinity conditions. In Florida, monitoring of commercial and recreational fisheries shows that blue crabs are plentiful, ranking fifth in abundance across all fisheries in the Indian River Lagoon. It also has three pairs of walking legs, and a powerful set of chelae.
Blue crabs are highly mobile, but are more active during daylight hours than in the evenings.
The total distance traversed per day for these crabs is approximately 215 meters. Spawning peaks in the blue crabs are closely associated with the region inhabited. In Chesapeake Bay, for example, spawning is initiated in May and June, with a second spawning in August. In North and South Carolina, spawning occurs from March through October, with peaks from April to August. Around the St. John's River in Florida, spawning occurs from February to October, with peak spawning occurring from March through September.