Posted by Eric Frasco on September 26, 2003 at 13:03:19:
In Reply to: Re: Best way to keep bugs alive? posted by Chris on September 26, 2003 at 08:24:55:
I agree - keep the fresh water away from the salt water critters. I don't have a pump and a stone. What I have found to work well is "blue ice" freezer packs on the sides of the cooler with a little salt water and heaps of kelp under and over the bugs (bugs not submerged). Occaisionally dip into the salt water and pour it over the bug to keep him damp. Swap out the blue ice every 8 hours. I've kept bugs alive and feisty for over 24 hours this way. After 24 hours, they become weak.
If longer than 24 hours, you should separate the tail, de-vein it, and store it in the fridge until you cook it or freeze it. I can't stand to see the head twitch and try to crawl around after pulling the tail, so I boil the head immediately after, and then later I will clean out the small amount of meat left in the head for lobster tacos.
-Eric-