Paralithodes rathbuni, the spiny king crab or California king crab, is a species of king crab in the family Lithodidae. It is closely related to P. californiensis with the same common names being used for the two and some authorities suggest that they might be conspecific.[1] P. rathbuni is found on sandy, muddy or rocky bottoms at depths of in the Pacific Ocean off southern California (north to Cordell Bank) and Baja California.[1]