Can we eat sand crabs on the beach?

Can we eat sand crabs on the beach? Sand crabs are very clever and difficult to catch. The muddy beach is not suitable for digging holes, and there are often "opposite holes". After digging here, it will run there. Fishermen trap sand crabs by inserting ropes into the holes and slowly pulling them out based on their ability to grasp anything they see. Caught sand crabs should not be washed or raised in water, so when they arrive at the market, the sand crabs are still covered in mud. But sand crab is cheap and good, and after frying, it becomes a meat dish with excellent taste.

Introduction to sand crabs

Sand crabs are dominant crabs that live in the intertidal and supratidal zones of warm seas. They burrow in deeper holes on the beach. The holes are generally spiral-shaped, with the entrance The formation of sand towers is unique to sand crabs. The holes of female crabs are as high as sand towers and may contain male crabs. Sand crabs are extremely agile in movement. They often use the second and third pairs of legs to crawl at a speed of 1 to 1.6 meters/second. They only use the fourth pair of legs when they stop or change direction. Sand crabs have long eye stalks, so they can peek out of the cave. The larvae feed on plankton, while the adults like to climb in the mangroves, tumbling branches and leaves, using their chelicerae to catch flies, insects, rotting small animal carcasses, and also eat algae.

How to preserve sea crabs and how long they can be stored

Cooked sea crabs can be frozen so that the meat will not shrink. When you want to eat them, just put them in a steamer and steam them. Don't refrigerate it, as it will cause the meat to shrink and become woody. Take it out and steam it again the next day. It is recommended to add an appropriate amount of minced ginger to sterilize it. Because cooked sea crabs are poisonous when they come into contact with fog, dew, etc., they must be cooked again, in boiling water, and heated for half an hour after boiling. The microorganisms in the anti-crab are not completely killed. This processing method ensures that it is delicious, clean and safe. But if it smells bad, it’s best to throw it away. Although it’s a waste, health is more important.