Madeleine Hull
Hermit crabs are omnivores and require a balanced diet of commercial food supplemented with fresh plant and animal matter. They require calcium to support the health of their exoskeletons, especially during molting. In the wild, they scavenge beaches for food and shells, eating almost anything. A varied diet is recommended for pet hermit crabs, including fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains, and animal protein. They can also eat dried seaweed, popcorn, and even citrus fruits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Diet Composition | Commercial food, fresh plant matter, animal matter |
| Water | Freshwater, saltwater, treated with a dechlorinator |
| Foods to Avoid | Starchy vegetables, iceberg lettuce, salty, fatty, sugary snacks |
| Commercial Food Frequency | Once a day |
| Commercial Food Preparation | Crushed, moistened |
| Fresh Food | Fruits, vegetables |
| Fruits | Apples, bananas, citrus fruits (sweet over sour), dried fruit |
| Calcium Sources | Cuttlebone, calcium supplements, crushed oyster shell, coral sand, crushed eggshells, crab exoskeleton |
| Seeds | Chia seeds, nutritional yeast flakes |
| Nuts | Yes, in small pieces |
| Popcorn | Yes, plain, unbuttered |
| Other | Seaweed, granola mixes, dried bugs and shrimp, grains, animal protein |
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What You'll Learn
Calcium-rich foods
Hermit crabs require calcium to support the health of their exoskeletons, especially during molting. Here are some calcium-rich food sources that you can include in their diet:
Cuttlebone
Cuttlebone, available in the bird section of pet stores, can be added to a hermit crab's diet. It can be offered whole or shredded and added to their food.
Calcium Supplements
Calcium supplements for reptiles can also be added to hermit crab food.
Crushed Oyster Shells
Crushed oyster shells, found in the bird section of pet stores, are another excellent source of calcium for hermit crabs.
Coral Sand
Using fine coral sand as a substrate or supplement in the tank provides calcium for hermit crabs.
Crushed Eggshells
Eggshells can be boiled, dried, and crushed to provide an easy and accessible source of calcium. They can be mixed with the hermit crab's food or substrate.
Calcium-Rich Vegetables
Some vegetables, such as kale and squashes, are good sources of calcium with a low oxalic acid content, which can interfere with calcium absorption. Parsley, on the other hand, has a high oxalic acid content, reducing calcium availability.
In addition to these calcium-rich foods, it is important to provide hermit crabs with a balanced diet that includes commercial food supplemented with fresh plant and animal matter. A variety of fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts can also be offered, along with occasional treats like plain popcorn or dried river shrimp.
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Fresh and dried fruit
Hermit crabs are omnivores and require a balanced diet of commercial food supplemented with fresh plant and animal matter. They can eat almost any fruit, including fresh and dried fruit. However, some experts recommend avoiding highly acidic or citrus fruits, such as oranges, tomatoes, lemons, and limes.
Fresh fruit is a good source of antioxidants for hermit crabs. Safe fruits for your hermit crab to eat include apples, avocado, banana, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, carambola, cherries, coconut, cranberries, grapes, honeydew, mango, papaya, peach, pear, pomegranate, raisins, and watermelon. You can also offer strawberries, although these should be fed in moderation, no more than twice a week.
When preparing fresh fruit for your hermit crab, make sure to wash and dry the produce to remove any pesticides. Cut the fruit into small pieces, especially for smaller crabs. You can place the fruit directly in the cage or in a flat bowl or plate with easy access for the hermit crab.
Dried fruit is a sweet treat that hermit crabs enjoy, but it should be given sparingly. Dried fruit can become sticky, so spread a pinch of calcium powder on the cut sections to help keep them separate. Some dried fruits that hermit crabs can eat include coconut, raspberries, apples, and raisins.
In addition to fresh and dried fruit, it is important to provide your hermit crab with a variety of other foods, such as vegetables, meat, fish, nuts, and grains. Hermit crabs also need access to both freshwater and saltwater, which should be treated with a dechlorinator to remove any harmful chemicals.
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Commercial and pelleted foods
It is important to remove any uneaten food at the end of each day, as it can quickly become contaminated with bacteria and mould. In addition, it is recommended to provide hermit crabs with both freshwater and saltwater, treated with a dechlorinator, to drink and bathe in.
Some owners choose to create their own hermit crab food mixes using ingredients such as grains, animal protein, seeds, nuts, and calcium. These mixes can be made in bulk and stored, and it is important to stir the ingredients before serving. Owners can also grow their own plants and sprouts for their hermit crabs to eat.
Overall, while commercial and pelleted foods are a good option for hermit crab owners, it is important to supplement their diet with fresh foods and ensure they have access to clean water to keep them healthy and happy.
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Seeds and nuts
Hermit crabs are omnivores and require a balanced diet of commercial food supplemented with fresh plant and animal matter. In the wild, they are scavengers and will eat whatever they can find. In captivity, their diet should be based on a balanced commercial food supplemented with a variety of fresh foods and treats.
Beechnuts, coconuts, and walnuts are all nuts that hermit crabs enjoy eating. The papery insides of walnut shells are a favourite food in some crab habitats. Hazelnuts are also a good option, as hermit crabs have been known to enjoy them.
Seeds can be added to a hermit crab's substrate and sprayed with water to encourage sprouting. Crabs will eat the sprouts and can easily replant them.
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Salt and freshwater
Both freshwater and saltwater are essential for hermit crabs. The water should be treated with a dechlorinator. Crabs require a constant supply of freshwater for drinking. Most hermit crabs also drink saltwater, and some like to bathe in it.
In the wild, Caribbean hermit crabs carry briny water in their shells at all times. Some crabs in captivity have survived for a long time without access to saltwater. However, there is no proof that saltwater is unnecessary, and there are no downsides to providing it. Crabs can obtain salt from their diet or by consuming saltwater. Saltwater is particularly important for purple pinchers.
To prepare saltwater for hermit crabs, it is best to use tap water treated with a dechlorinator and marine salt. This is the ideal way to provide the crabs with the minerals they need.
It is important to provide both saltwater and freshwater sources for hermit crabs. Some crabs may not use the water when being observed but may do so when alone.
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Frequently asked questions
You should avoid starchy vegetables, iceberg lettuce, and overly salty, fatty, or sugary foods.
Hermit crabs are omnivores and require a balanced diet of commercial food supplemented with fresh plant and animal matter. They can eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains, and lean meats.
Pelleted foods can be fed once a day. Hermit crabs are nocturnal scavengers and will eat almost anything, so they may eat and drink ravenously when they are about to molt.
All water should be treated with a dechlorinator. Separate bowls of saltwater and freshwater should be provided, as hermit crabs need both for drinking and bathing.
Calcium can be provided in the form of cuttlebone, reptile calcium vitamin supplements, crushed oyster shell, coral sand, or crushed eggshells.
