how to encourage crab to eat exo?

This forum is where you discuss issues relating to molting hermit crabs, including pre- and post-molting issues. If you are having a molting emergency please post in the Emergency Forum.
Locked
User avatar

Topic author
SlurExe97
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:12 am
Location: Canada

how to encourage crab to eat exo?

Post by SlurExe97 » Sat Jan 22, 2011 9:19 am

my crab Dark had been under the food dish for 1 week. but then he resurfaced and moved into another shell. at the same time Chipped is under the dish at that time. my first thought is a fight because i saw limbs lying around but thats only exo. now Dark is in iso and he won't eat her exo. she is already very active just like when i first got her. but how do i make her want to eat the exo? the exo she left is 3 legs and the big claw.
and i just noticed she doesn't have a left back leg even though it was there before the molt and i can't seem to find it anywhere.

User avatar

CallaLily
Posts: 3831
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:05 pm

Post by CallaLily » Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:15 am

I've noticed that sometimes the crabs will leave pieces uneaten. I wouldn't worry about it if the crab ate most of it and is now up and about acting normal. Just continue to offer her good, fresh foods. With her missing a leg she might immediately prepare for another molt to regrow it. You can't find it because chances are it was eaten. :wink:

User avatar

Topic author
SlurExe97
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:12 am
Location: Canada

Post by SlurExe97 » Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:14 am

can i offer the exo to other crabs? if yes how?

User avatar

Shivering Isles
Posts: 148
Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 10:48 pm
Location: United States

Post by Shivering Isles » Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:38 am

Yesterday I cleaned the tank and found tons of leftover exo pieces. Last night I put them in the food dish. This morning most of the pieces are gone! I think it is a good idea to give it to your other crabs. :)
"Some things start out big, and some things start out small, very small. But sometimes the smallest thing can make the biggest changes of all."
-Plio from Dinosaur

User avatar

tnt4eva
Posts: 237
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:31 pm
Location: Australia
Contact:

Post by tnt4eva » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:28 am

Yep, just throw it in the food dish. You might want to offer Dark some cuttlefish bone and egg shell, perhaps laced with some honey or peanut butter, just to make sure he gets enough calcium, as he may molt again soon to regrow that leg.

User avatar

Topic author
SlurExe97
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:12 am
Location: Canada

Post by SlurExe97 » Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:56 am

thanks! i picked out the not-so-tough bits and put them in the food dish. let's hope some of them are hungry..

Locked