I have some live blue crabs and need to transport them a long distance (or store them alive). Whats the best method to ensure they stay alive?
Crabs can live for several days out of water as long as they are healthy and are kept cool, moist, and stress-free. The optimal temperature is about 50 F., anything colder will ultimately kill them. Transporting – A cooler filled with a layer of ice (or several gel packs) on the bottom is probably the best method to transport live crabs. If using ice, be sure to fasten a shelf to keep the crabs out of the melted ice water. If the crabs get into this water they’ll quickly deplete the water’s oxygen and will suffocate (for this same reason, never keep live crabs in a bucket of standing water.) Alternatively, you can transport the crabs in a wooden bushel basket, covered with a damp burlap sack, and out of direct sunlight. While not optimal, this method is more practical for commercial watermen who utilize bushel baskets during the short period of time between catching and delivering their crabs to market. Storing Live – The best method for storing blue crabs involves the use of a live bo
