Before you decide what to feed a hermit crab, you should know a little about these creatures. Crabs love climbing and need an appropriate environment. So, here are some tips to make your crab’s life better. A hermit crab’s enclosure should include two water bowls and one smaller food bowl. The water bowls should be deep enough for the crabs to fully submerge without overstraining them. The enclosure should also contain salt and fresh water, and should have sea sponges to allow for proper humidity levels. Besides the water bowls, you should also include some catappa leaves and growth shells.
Contents
Eggs
Hermit crabs lay eggs to start a new life. They take about one month to mature, and after the egg reaches the ‘egg stage’, they turn gray and are ready to hatch. While the female crabs lay hundreds of eggs each year, most of these babies never get to the full development stage and become a meal. Because of the fragility of hermit crab eggs, they only hatch when the exact hatching conditions are met.
Hermit crabs can live for 40 years or more. They originate in the ocean, where they spend most of their life. Then, they adapt to land life and start laying eggs. The male hermit crab transfers his spermatophore to the female and both crabs emerge partially from their shells to become pregnant. The female crab lays her eggs when the eggs have reached the correct size, and they lay them with the help of gill grooming appendages located on the left side of her abdomen.
Vegetables
Although vegetables for a hermit crab are generally safe for hermits, some can cause problems. Carrots, onions, and garlic should not be fed to your hermit crab. Also, fruit and potatoes should be given on a rare basis, if at all. Consult a veterinarian before giving your hermit crab any new foods. In addition, never use butter or other fattening ingredients.
Hermit crabs are natural scavengers, so it’s a good idea to rotate the variety of foods they eat. They won’t eat the same thing twice in 24 hours. If one day your hermit crab enjoys eating vegetables, but doesn’t the next, there’s a good chance they’ll dislike them again. It’s important to consider that a variety of environmental factors may be the reason for your hermit crab’s lack of appetite.
Fruits
Hermit crabs love fruits. They have a high nutritional value, and can be safely fed to your pet. If possible, try to buy a variety of fruit and serve it in small portions. If you’d rather not mess with chopping up your own fruits, freeze-dried fruit is an option. It retains the nutrients in the fruit, but is still semi-soft and crunchy. Coral sand is another option for hermit crabs. Coral sand is often used for aquarium substrate, but is also edible for your pet.
Hermit crabs do not need to be deprived of fruits – they thrive on fresh fruit and will enjoy the taste and nutritional value. But don’t forget that your crab will get bored with one type of fruit. A mix of a variety of fruits will keep your hermit crab happy and healthy. Apples are a great choice, since they are nutrient-dense and plentiful year-round.
Commercial crab food
Commercial crab food is a great way to supplement your crab’s diet. There are many varieties to choose from, and you should make sure to select one that is made of high quality ingredients. Crabs are naturally carnivorous animals that enjoy a variety of different types of protein, from raw meat to steamed seafood. The variety is also important for their health, so you should look for the highest quality commercial food possible.
Hermit crabs like to eat a variety of foods, so you should try to select a mix that has a healthy mix of grains, animal protein, fats, and a little sweet stuff. When buying commercial crab food, be sure to check the label and look for “cold-pressed” oils and fats. Many hermit crab keepers are overly concerned with oils and are advising against them. However, some commercial crab food may not be containing any of these additives and could be harmful to your crab’s health.
Fresh water
Hermit crabs need two bowls: one should be shallow and the other saltwater. Salt water should be prepared with marine aquarium salt. Hermit crabs can live in a coconut hut or driftwood, but cedar is poisonous to them. It can take several months for a hermit crab to shed its skin. Changing their food and water bowls periodically will prevent their molting. Fresh water should be filtered to eliminate chemicals or ionide, so bottled spring water is the best choice.
While hermit crabs drink water when they’re bathing for 20 minutes at a time, this water will be contaminated by feces and foreign bodies. Therefore, a separate drinking bowl is preferred. Hermit crabs that deliberately burrow into their substrate are absorbing water from their substrate, and this is not sustainable. Instead, a separate water bowl should be placed in their habitat.
Commercial crab food for hermit crabs
The first step in providing healthy commercial crab food for your hermit crab is to find a high-quality diet. These food pellets and powders should be made from different protein sources. Avoid commercial foods that are high in copper sulfate or ethoxyquin, which can kill your hermit crab. In addition, your hermit crab should eat fruits and vegetables as these contain vitamins and minerals. To make sure that your hermit crab is getting the most nutritious food possible, it is a good idea to thoroughly wash the veggies and fruits before serving them to your pet. Wood is another good choice to provide a balanced diet.
In addition to commercial food, hermit crabs love small treats. Most people think hermit crabs don’t like meat, but in reality, hermit crabs are very flexible eaters and will try anything that gets their attention. You can even serve them scrambled eggs or popcorn. However, it is best to avoid feeding your hermit crab meat. Only small amounts of cooked meat and fish will be beneficial to them. Crackers and various fruits and vegetables will keep them healthy.
