Commercial Pellet

[LittleCinderella]

I've been feeding my PP crabs fresh and dried food: shrimp, fish, chicken, peanut butter, watermelon, mango, dried pineapple, dried cherries, zucchini, broccoli, coconut, and coconut oil, just for an example.

However, the only thing they seem to eat is commercial pellet food I received for free when I got them.

Thoughts?

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[HappyHermit0916]

So...
They are probably eating the commercial food because it smells good but it is really horrible for them so I would suggest that u stop feeding them the pellets.
If ur crabs still are not interested try plain organic popped popcorn it was a huge hit with my crabs.
Also my crabs like plain dried shredded coconut

[LittleCinderella]

Thanks! I put a fresh chicken poo in the aquarium tonight to see if I can pique their interest >shudder<.

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[Motörcrab]

HappyHermit is right. Just about all commercial food contain preservatives that aren't good for them. Hermit Crabs are very picky with their foods, it's hard to fathom because they love to eat poop so much. They don't always respond to new foods the first few times they are offered. They may even prefer fruits and veggies dehydrated over raw, maybe even steamed, or when it starts to get funky after a day or two. I'll put a food in and they will devour it. The next 3 times they don't touch it.
You can try to ween them off of the pellets over the course of a few weeks. Offer your new foods with some pellets mixed in. That will make them at least move or pick at the new foods. Slowly cut back the amount of pellets as you see them eating the new foods.

[LittleCinderella]

Thank you! I'll work on weaning them off the pellets. That's how I figured out that was all they were eating. I put a tiny bit of pellet food in the center of the selection and it was gone the next day. Everything else looked untouched.

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[HappyHermit0916]

Thank you! I'll work on weaning them off the pellets. That's how I figured out that was all they were eating. I put a tiny bit of pellet food in the center of the selection and it was gone the next day. Everything else looked untouched.

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That's great! I'm glad I could help, but seriously try popcorn with your crabs!

[Motörcrab]

I don't know of any crabs that don't like popcorn! It's more of a treat since it isn't really that nutritious compared to other foods. We make our own fruit powders and toss the popcorn in that! They go crazy for that. You can try doing that with your foods too.

Just be sure if you offer popcorn it is plain. Not buttered, salted, or flavored. You can add crabby powders if you like.

[HappyHermit0916]

I don't know of any crabs that don't like popcorn! It's more of a treat since it isn't really that nutritious compared to other foods. We make our own fruit powders and toss the popcorn in that! They go crazy for that. You can try doing that with your foods too.

Just be sure if you offer popcorn it is plain. Not buttered, salted, or flavored. You can add crabby powders if you like.

Yep my crabs only get this once in a while but they love it!

[LittleCinderella]

Oh! I like the idea of sprinkling it with powdered nutrients. I've ordered some and will try it!

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