what to feed my pet hermit crab

What to Feed My Hermit Crab

• Oatmeal. Oatmeal for hermit crabs is a great treat for your pet crustacean. However, you should be aware of certain...
• Peanut butter. When choosing what to feed your hermit crab, choose a variety of nutritious foods. Choose whole grains,...
• Flowers. There are several flower varieties your hermit crab can eat, including lilies, sunflowers,...

Full Answer

What is the best food for hermit crabs?

• Plain oatmeal (not the instant stuff!)
• Flax seed
• Rice (either cooked, or simply washed, any kind but instant)
• Nuts such as almond, chestnuts, walnuts, and peanuts (peanut butter is a high protein snack good for molting or stressed crabs. ...
• Millet (usually sold for birds)
• Whole grain cereals (without sugary additives)
• Lentils
• Wheat germ

What is a hermit crabs favourite food?

Hermit crabs are crustaceans that live in the ocean. They are omnivorous, meaning they eat plants and animals. Their favorite food is algae. The following foods make up a well-balanced hermit crab diet: Commercial hermit crab food of excellent quality. Vegetables (spinach, carrots, and romaine lettuce) as well as non-citrus fruits (mangoes ...

What does a hermit crab eat besides hermit crab food?

• crackers (no or low salt)
• unsweetened cereals
• plain rice cakes
• popcorn (plain, air popped, can be given occasionally)
• cooked eggs, meats and seafood (in moderation)
• freeze dried shrimp and plankton (found in the fish food section at the pet store)
• brine shrimp
• fish food flakes

What kind of human food can hermit crabs eat?

What Do Pet Hermit Crabs Eat?

• Fruits & Vegetables. Hermit crabs are known to prefer sweet foods, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they respond well to being offered pieces of fruit to snack ...
• Grain Products. It might surprise you but yes – your hermit crabs can eat some whole grain products too! ...
• Meat & Alternatives. ...
• Water. ...
• Calcium. ...
• Treats. ...

What should you not feed a hermit crab?

In general, avoid onion, garlic and citrus. When picking any kind of dried meat it is critical to look at the ingredient list for a pesticide called Ethoxyquin. It is a common preservative in many commercial hermit crab and fish foods and is poisonous to your crabs.

How often do you feed a pet hermit crab?

Hermit Crab Feeding Fresh fruits and vegetables such as apple, carrot, kale and banana should be offered 2-3 times per week. Hermit crabs will also readily accept dead insects such as dried mealworms, and crickets which can be coated with a calcium and vitamin supplement.

Do hermit crabs need to be fed everyday?

Your crab is a little creature, so there is no need to feed them multiple times a day. Feed your crab once daily in order to keep the fruits and veggies fresh. Foods like wood will last considerably longer, so change the wood when you see it gets slimy, old, or otherwise unappetizing.

Do hermit crabs like to be held?

First of all, hermit crabs do not particularly like being handled. They are not the kind of pet you take out to cuddle. Sorry if that's what you were looking for. Like many other exotic pets, these crabs tend to get stressed out when they're handled too often.

Can hermit crabs drink tap water?

Hermit crabs use the water to drink, bathe and replenish their shell water (extra water they carry within the back of their shell). By providing both fresh and salt water you are letting the crab decide for themselves what they need. Chlorine found in tap water is harmful to hermit crabs.

What do hermit crabs need in their tank?

Hermit crabs love to climb, so include driftwood pieces or mangrove roots within the aquarium to provide some entertainment. Hermit crabs require humidity of around 50-70%. They need this to keep their gills moist and to breathe properly. If the air is too dry, your hermit crab might become inactive and suffocate.

How long does a hermit crab live as a pet?

Hermit crabs can live 30 years or more in the wild, whereas they typically die within a year as pets. The wild hermit crab has a life expectancy of 30 years if it is allowed to remain in its native habitat.

What fruit can hermit crabs eat?

Safe fruits for your hermit crab to eat include:Mango.Papaya.Coconut (fresh or sugar-free dried)Apple.Banana.Grapes.Pineapple.Strawberry.More items...•

How long can hermit crabs live without food?

Hermit crabs can rarely survive without water and food for more than two weeks. It might seem that crabs are not drinking any water, but they require both fresh as well as saltwater for survival and can only last without it for a maximum of two weeks.

Do hermit crabs need salt water?

Hermit crabs require both freshwater and saltwater water sources to survive. Saltwater should be made using sea salt sold for marine fish and crustaceans.

How deep should hermit crabs water?

You should provide them with dishes of dechlorinated water (both fresh water and salt water) deep enough that the water will flow into the crabs' shell when the crab climbs into the dish. That is approximately one full inch of depth for large crabs, and a half-inch or less for smaller hermies.

How long does a hermit crab live as a pet?

Pet care. Hermit Crabs are wonderful pets that are easy to look after. The hermit crab has evolved to be able to live on land with the use of empty shells as a home and protection. With the right care, your hermit crab can live up to approximately 15 years.

Commercial foods for hermit crabs

There are many ready-made hermit crab foods that you can get for your hermits. These are sold in the form of pellets, flakes, ground powder and more, and provide convenience and nutrition for hermit crabs. You will find buffet blends, fruit mixes, high-protein mixes (made from animal and some protein sources).

Top sources of protein for hermit crabs

Top sources of protein for hermit crabs include animals proteins, and partially plant proteins (around 70-80% animal and 20-30% plant protein). Below you can find a list of top animal and plant protein sources for hermit crabs.

Greens and vegetables for hermit crabs

Vegetables and greens are also an important part of hermit crab diet. Those include sea vegetables, such as seaweed. When offering greens and vegetables, you must limit certain types to only 1-2 times/week. These belong to the group of high oxalic acid and high goitrogenic vegetables and greens.

Hermit crab diet – feeding rules

When buying and choosing food for your hermit crabs, always try to choose the best quality products. Hermit crabs are very sensitive to various pesticides, preservatives, insecticides, fertilizers, and some food additives. Try to choose natural, preferably organic options when you can.

What to feed hermit crabs?

Supplement your hermit crab's diet with fruits and leafy vegetables like kale. They take small bites and eat slowly, but any leftovers in the morning should be removed. Last, always make sure they always have fresh, clean, chlorine-free water. Socializing hermit crabs.

How do you keep hermit crabs clean?

Cleaning hermit crabs. Your crabs will clean themselves if they’re provided with a conditioned freshwater and saltwater bowl to bathe in. Keeping a sea sponge in the tank also helps them stay clean, as it increases the humidity in the enclosure. Normal molting behavior.

How to stop hermit crabs from being lonely?

Socializing hermit crabs. Hermit crabs are social creatures that like to live in large groups. Because of this, they can get lonely if left alone too long. One option to prevent loneliness is to get multiple crabs. If you do add one or more hermit crabs to an existing tank, keep an eye out for fighting. Continued.

Why do crabs leave their shells?

If a crab is stressed, it will become inactive , slow, and may leave its shell for a long period of time (without taking another one, like it does when molting). Hermit crabs can become stressed by bullying, extreme hot or cold temperatures, loneliness, or overcrowding.

Why do hermit crabs fight?

Continued. There are multiple reasons crabs might fight, including not having enough food, water, or space. Some hermit crabs are aggressive with others and may try to steal shells. Having spare shells in the aquarium can help prevent this type of bullying.

What do you need to know before getting a hermit crab?

Before You Get a Hermit Crab. It’s important that you have all the supplies to safely welcome home your new hermit crab. The most important elements are a secure, heated enclosure and food. But once you’ve got the basics, there are lots of ways to make the tank more visually appealing. Hermit crab housing.

What happens to hermit crabs after they molt?

After molting, your hermit crab will change into a new, larger shell. Be sure to have a few ready so they can choose the best fit. This process of growth, shedding skin, and changing shells, is a continuous and repeating process for hermit crabs. Signs of a health problem.

What can you feed a hermit crab?

In addition to commercial food, you can offer your hermit crab veggies such as spinach and shredded carrots a few times a week for extra nutrition. Fruits like papaya and mango make excellent snacks. Nuts and dried seaweed can also be offered on occasion.

How to keep a hermit crab hydrated?

Water. Your pet hermit crab requires access to a reservoir of non-chlorinated water that they can dip their whole bodies into for hydration. A half a coconut shell or a small bowl full of fresh, clean water will do the trick. Make sure that the water is changed daily to filter it and keep it clean as time goes on.

How hot should my hermit crab be?

Lighting and heat are extremely important for your pet hermit crab’s habitat. The temperature should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and between 65 and 75 degrees at night. Use an overhead heat lamp to warm the habitat rather than a ground one, so your pet does not get overheated while lounging on the substrate. You can turn the heat lamp on and off as necessary to maintain proper temperatures.

How much does a hermit crab habitat cost?

The Habitat — $50-$300 Initially. In addition to an aquarium for your hermit crab to live in, the habitat must be furnished with a variety of things, including sand or soil, accessories, and a water reservoir, among other things.

What is the best habitat for hermit crabs?

An aquarium is the best habitat option for a couple of reasons. Hermit crabs are tropical creatures that require a humid, warm environment to live in. A glass aquarium with a tight-fitting lid is a great way to ensure that its habitat stays as moist and warm as a tropical environment.

How often do hermit crabs shed?

Hermit crabs shed their exoskeleton a couple of times each year, in which case, they will seem lethargic and uninterested in food for 24 to 48 hours. The shedding process helps keep hermit crabs healthy. Once the shedding process is complete, an exoskeleton, which may look like a layer of skin, should be found and discarded from the habitat.

How to get rid of crabs in a pet tank?

Remove the crab, and place it in a temporary shelter with substrate and snacks in it. Remove the substrate and everything else from your pet’s habitat, and then clean the tank out with a non-toxic cleaner, water, and a clean cloth.