AbstractInvestigations have been carried regarding carotenoids and vitamin A in the crabsPachygrapsus marmoratus(FABRE) andEriphia spinifrons(HERBST) from the Black and Adriatic Sea. The presence of carotenoids and vitamin A was determined by means of column and thinlayer chromatography.The following carotenoids were found:Pachygrapsus marmoratus:β‐carotene, cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, astaxanthin and vitamin A;Eriphia spinifrons:β‐carotene, echinenone, canthaxanthin, isozeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein (ester and epoxy), astaxanthin and ast