Feeding Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs have a fairly different diet in captivity, to what they do in the wild. The obvious reason for this, is that we are unable to stimulate the food occuring in their natural habitat: by the sea. They would usually eat washed up plants, decaying meat and fecal matter, rotting wood, rotting fruits, and many other things.

Crabs can be fed just about anything, but there are some definite requirements they need in their diet. Calcium is needed for growth of the hermit crab. Carotene is also a vital part of their diet, and a crab low in carotene will go a very light grey in colour, as opposed to orange/light red.

Being omnivores, crabs will eat most things, meat matter and vegetable matter. The variety can consit of meats, to vegetables, to fish, to fruit, and anything in between. There is not really anything crabs can't eat, but try and stay away from atrifical foods, and stick with natural, or organic matter. If you are wild collecting any of the food, make sure they have been collected away from any pesticides, or other pollution (car fumes, etc).

Pre-made crab food can be purchased from stores, however, this is not neccassary. It can be a lot more interesting to make your own mixtures to feed crabs, and you can then gain an idea of what your crab likes, and dislikes.

Calcium can be provided in the form of a cuttle bone. This will need to be cut up into small chunked, although not as fine as power. Rice, oatmeal and plankton can also be fed to help maintain a strong body, even better, all of these mixed into one. This can then be put straight into the enclosure, and will soon be nibbled on.

The occasional treat can be given to your crabs as well. These can include nuts, sugary foods, raw meats, cereals, crackers, raisins, junk food (chips, fish fingers, etc), and peanut butter, which seems to be a favourite! Keep these in small amounts, and only feed on an occasion.