In order to study the functions of class B type I scavenger receptor (SR-B1/SCARB1) in the metabolism, growth, immunity and other biological processes of Eriocheir sinensis, the cloning and spatiotemporal expression analysis of scarb1 gene in E. sinensis were analyzed, the changes of related tissue structure and carotenoid content after RNA interference were observed, the SNP markers of the gene were screened and their association with the growth related traits were evaluated. The results showed that the scarb1 gene in E. sinensis was composed of the two exons and one intron. The open reading frame (ORF) was 2 415 bp and 805 amino acids were encoded; phylogenetic tree based on the amino acid sequences showed that the highest similarity with 80.51% were found between E. sinensis and Portunus trituberculatus, indicating its high conservation among species. Its expression was detected in all tissues encoded, including hepatopancreas, intestines, blood cells, heart, gills and muscle tissues at different molting stages, but the relatively high expression existed in hepatopancreas, intestines and blood cells. After RNA interference in scarb1 gene for 15 days and 30 days, histological observation showed that the lumen of the hepatic tubules in hepatopancreas was blurred and partially vacuolized, and significant cavities appeared in the muscular layer and submucosa of the intestinal intima. The color of hepatopancreas changed from yellow to gray white, and the content of carotenoids decreased significantly. One SNP locus (C432T) was screened in the first exon of the gene, which was significantly correlated with the weight gain rate and carapace length growth rate after molting (P < 0.05). The results of this study provide useful guidance for genetic research of scarb1 gene in E. sinensis and its breeding.