Text says, The Blue Crab
small illustration of the first crab phase of the Blue Crab life cycle

 small illustration of the juvenile phase of the Blue Crab life cycle  

What do young crabs look like?

Eventually the megalops settles and metamorphoses to the first crab stage.

First Crab Stage

illustration of a ruler with a first crab stage illustration that is less than 1/5 inch long from point-to-point

Now it looks much like an adult crab, but is only 1/5 of an inch from point to point.

Juvenile Crab Stage

illustration of a ruler with a juvenile phase crab that is 2 1/2 inches long
A spring-spawned crab can reach a size of 2½ inches
(point to point) by their first winter.

Crabs reach maturity (become adults) in 12 to 18 months.