How to Care For a Pet Blue King Crab

The Blue King Crab, also known as the paralithodes platypus, can be caught in Alaska, in many places along the East Coast, in Canada and all the way down to South America. It is considered the largest of the king crabs, and has unusually large claws. This king crab is brown with blue highlights, which is how it got its name. Blue king crab are typically cooked and eaten right after being caught, but they can be stored for a few days. Keeping them as pets for more than a few weeks is rather dangerous and rare, because of their large, sharp claws, and it is not recommended.

Things You'll Need

  • Container or tank
  • Sand
  • Moist cloth or towel
  • Fish heads
  • Chicken or turkey
  • Clams, oyster or live feeder fish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a large well-ventilated tank or container in which to house the crab. Spread some sand over the bottom. Do not keep the crab in standing water in the tank since this may kill the crab as the oxygen level decreases over time. The temperature inside the tank should not be more than 122 degrees and not less than 50 degrees. To cool the crab, place ice under or around the tank but make sure it doesn't melt and get inside the tank.

    • 2

      Place the crab into the tank. Place the tank in the shade or away from direct sunlight. If you have more than one crab, make sure to separate adults from young crabs by placing them into two separate tanks. Adults may feed on the young crab.

    • 3

      Cover the top of the tank with a moist cloth or towel. The crab needs moisture without getting wet from standing in water.

    • 4

      Make a meal for the crab by chopping up fish heads and scraps of chicken or turkey, such as a turkey neck a day -- a typical blue crab meal. Place this meal inside the crab's tank. This type of food is good for the crab the first few days, unless you plan on keeping it longer.

    • 5

      Get some clams, oysters or live feeder fish for the crab after a few days. It needs this type of meal to avoid tank pollution.

    • 6

      Clean the tank or container occasionally, using water and dish detergent. Throw away any food remains from the bottom. Place clean sand and fresh food into the tank before placing the crab back in its home.