Q&A for How to Keep Blue Crabs Alive

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Question

What should I feed blue crabs to keep them alive?

Community Answer

If it is an adult, you should feed them fish, worms, plants. Their favorite foods are thin-shelled bivalves.

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Question

Can I keep blue crabs as pets?

Community Answer

Yes, with proper care you can keep blue crabs as pets. Just make sure that you take good care of them.

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Question

I catch blue crabs for a living. My problem is that in the time between catching them and transporting them (I ice them, sort the different sizes and types, and then crate them), I lose a lot of crabs. I live in south Mississippi, so it's hot. What can I do to stop them from dying?

Community Answer

There are a couple of things you can try. It is recommended that commercial fisherman use wooden bushel baskets to store the crabs. Place a moist burlap bag at the bottom of the basket (over the ice) and over the top of the basket, to prevent the gills from drying out. If you are using ice (instead of icepacks) to chill them, it could possibly be the standing water that is causing them to suffocate and die. Make sure to drain any water that comes from melted ice. Also, try to avoid stacking the crabs on top of each other. This can cause them undue stress, and even death.

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Question

I found a blue crab in the parking lot of the apartment complex I live in and it's the middle of the night. What should I do with him to ensure his safety?

Avery Lemming

Community Answer

Buy a standard five-gallon bucket. Drill holes into the sides and bottom of the bucket. Place a mesh lid on top. Feed him once or twice per day. Keep him cool.

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Question

Should I keep crabs that I catch in water while we're catching more?

Community Answer

Yes, blue crabs breathe through gills and need to be in water. They will die if you leave them out in the air.

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Question

Can I use fresh water from the river for shedding tanks? I need to keep them for no more than a week.

Community Answer

As long as it's fresh water and you're keeping them for no more than a week, then that should be fine!

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Question

If I am using a bushel basket, how do I keep from stacking them?

Community Answer

Well, they will have to be somewhat stacked as there won't be a cooler large enough to lay them all flat across the bottom. Buy the biggest cooler you can and spread the crabs out as far as you can instead of just piling them on top of each other, and that should help.

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Question

I have a 250 gallon tank and I want to keep 3 dozen blue crabs alive for 5 days. How many gallons of water (their natural water) do I need? And will any kind of areator work?

Community Answer

You don't need a specific amount of water to keep blue crab shrimp alive for five days, you'll just have to make sure the water is high enough to let them feel comfortable and in their natural environment, so an estimate would be about 175 gallons. Any aerator will work for five days. If you were keeping them for any longer, you'd need a specific aerator.

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Question

Does the water have to be salt water?

Community Answer

Yes. You at least need brackish water -- a mix of saltwater and fresh water -- to keep them alive.

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