A RARE type of 'albino' edible crab, which has previously been found in Robin Hood's Bay, has been discovered by aquarists at Tynemouth's Blue Reef Aquarium.
The cute crustacean was spotted in a clump of seaweed which had been collected to go into one of their native marine displays.
Now the rare crab is being looked after in a special display at the award-winning aquarium – safe from any would-be pred
ators.
Although marine experts at the Tyneside attraction do not believe Albert is a true albino they say they have never come across such a bizarrely coloured edible crab before and believe him to be extremely rare.
Blue Reef's Anna Etchells said: "True albinism means there is a total lack of pigment whereas with Albert he just appears to be incredibly white.
"No one is sure why this extreme colour change happens but there are similar cases recorded from the Robin Hood's Bay area in North Yorkshire dating back to the 1970s," she added.
In the wild juvenile crustaceans use their natural camouflage to protect themselves from predators.
In Albert's case, however, his white shell did the complete opposite and actually attracted attention to him.
"Normally such a relatively small crab would have been virtually invisible among all that seaweed but you could spot Albert from a mile away," said Anna.
"It was lucky that we found him when we did as I fear his chances of surviving in the wild for any length of time would have been pretty slim," she added.
As young crabs have to moult regularly in order to grow it is unclear whether Albert will remain a white crab throughout his life
The edible crab is the largest of the crab species commonly found around the British Isles.
Large specimens can weigh up to several pounds and live to eight years or more. They can reach sizes of up to 30 cm and sport huge black-tipped claws which they use to catch and eat their prey.
