HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So my hermitcrabpatch order came in yesterday and I wasn't sure if it was necessary to refrigerate the food or not. Any thoughts?

I personally refrigerate mine.

I don't. It says to help things stay fresh longer to refrigerate it. I don't have that ability so they can deal with stale food.

Honestly, I never refrigerated any except the Bugs N Nuts (or whatever it was called - it's been a while) that specifically said to. I store most of my dried food in a cool, dark cupboard.

I freeze stuff, but I have space in my freezer. Natural oils in insects and nuts, especially coconut, only keep for so long at room temperature before they turn rancid. Hermit crabs are like vultures in that they can eat anything without getting sick so there's no risk there although it might start smelling weird. As far as giving them the highest levels of vitamins and nutrients, keeping the food fresh is important as those things break down quickly.

I have a bunch of food from them, and I keep it in airtight containers right by the tank. The only thing of theirs that I ever refrigerated was the Chicken Pot Pie, which specifically said on the package to keep in the refrigerator......all others that I have don't give that instruction.