Can you eat a dead swimming crab?
Aug 30, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
In general, whether a swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) is still safe to eat after death depends on the specific time of death and the storage conditions. When purchasing, prioritize live and fresh swimming crabs, and avoid buying dead individuals directly. If temporary storage is necessary, place the crab immediately into the refrigerator for cold storage, and do not store for more than 6 hours. Carefully inspect the crab before consumption; if the shell appears darkened, the flesh feels loose, or there is a fishy odor, discard it.
Generally speaking, whether a dead swimming crab is still edible depends on the specific time of death and storage conditions. The detailed analysis is as follows:
If the swimming crab has been dead for a short time and has been stored under low-temperature conditions without showing signs of spoilage, such as an unpleasant odor, softening of limbs, or leakage of crab roe, it may be consumed after thorough cooking. During cooking, ensure the core temperature reaches above 75°C to kill any potentially滋生 bacteria.
If the swimming crab has been dead for more than 4 hours or was stored at room temperature after death, even if there are no apparent abnormalities in appearance, it is not recommended for consumption. These crabs may easily breed pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus and could produce histamine, which is difficult to fully eliminate through heating, potentially causing gastrointestinal discomfort after consumption.
When purchasing, prioritize live and fresh swimming crabs and avoid buying already dead individuals directly. If temporary storage is necessary, immediately place them in the refrigerator for cold storage, and do not store for more than 6 hours. Carefully inspect before consumption; if the shell appears darkened, the meat is loose, or there is a fishy or foul smell, discard them directly and do not consume.
