When to remove raw meat?

[crabswell]

Hi all! Still new to this forum (almost a week in with Dr. Samuel Crabson and James Crabswell) and I was hoping to clarify a quick feeding question. I was finally able to offer some (unseasoned) raw meat today as part of their meal. I cleaned and swapped the food dish at around 8:30pm. Night time for them starts around 9:30 and they usually don't have much activity until 1-2am or so (still a bit skittish, but they sure like to eat!). What is the protocol for removing/emptying a food dish with raw meat? How long should I leave it in the tank? They're usually hidden or buried once the sun is up, so I could do it in the morning. Should I leave it less time or for longer? My husband and I live in a 200sqft apartment, so leaving it for 20-24 hours (as I have done with fruit/veggies/dry mixes) seems a little long, odor-wise. Also, are there any extra precautions (above my own food safety, cleaning, handling hygiene) that I should be taking with the substrate around the food dish (that might come in contact)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[megmaholm]

I generally feed around 8:30-9PM, and when I feed raw meats I leave it in for around 24 hours. It doesn't stink or anything by then, at least in my experience, and the crabs sometimes seem to like it better the next day.

Honestly, do whatever is best for you - if they're done eating by the following morning, there's no need to keep it in there if you don't want. I just leave mine since I have a few that like to 'graze' during the day.

No need to do anything special with the substrate around the food dish. Whenever I refill their food I scoop up any bits and pieces of food they've dragged out, but that's about it.

[crabswell]

Thanks for this, megmaholm! Really appreciate the speedy and detailed answer (to a potentially obvious question)--just want to make sure I'm doing things right over here!
All best to you and your crabbies!

[YYWW]

I like dehydrating meats in the oven under low heat. That way i can put it on a platform in the tank, right up against the heater, and i can leave the meat in there longer. I've had dried, chopped chicken by the heater for a couple weeks now, with no visible mold. Same goes for veggies. Fruits not so much!


Crabbers unite!!!

[megmaholm]

Thanks for this, megmaholm! Really appreciate the speedy and detailed answer (to a potentially obvious question)--just want to make sure I'm doing things right over here!
All best to you and your crabbies!

Thanks, and same to you!

I agree with YYWW about dehydrating..it makes life soo much easier. I like to leave out a good mix of dried foods 24/7 (including meat/protein) and supplement fresh when I can. Fresh fruit is more of a pain to me than meat since it gets nasty really fast.

Last night I gave them some raw ground beef and someone dragged it off. That's the fun part, tracking down the leftovers..like the world's nastiest treasure hunt.