How to Store Live Seafood Before Cooking

Quick Takeaways

✓Cook live seafood as soon as possible for best quality.

✓Do not soak marine seafood in tap water.

✓Keep seafood cool, shaded and properly ventilated before cooking.

Live seafood is best cooked as soon as possible after purchase. The longer it is kept, the higher the risk of stress, quality loss or mortality.

Many marine seafood items should not be soaked in tap water. Tap water can stress or kill seafood and affect quality.

Avoid direct heat and sun. Keep seafood in a cool, shaded place while preparing to cook.

Crabs and lobsters should be handled with care. Keep them secure, avoid unnecessary stress and cook promptly.

Different seafood needs different handling. Ask Crab Talk for advice based on what you buy and when you plan to cook it.

Live seafood stock changes daily. WhatsApp Crab Talk before visiting to check arrivals, sizes and reservation options.

How long can I keep live crab before cooking?

It is best to cook live crab as soon as possible after purchase.

Can I put live seafood in tap water?

Do not soak marine seafood in tap water unless specifically advised.

Should seafood be kept cold?

Keep seafood cool and shaded, but handling depends on the type of seafood.

Continue browsing our seafood guides and live seafood pages.