Safe Food List from EH

[Kat]

So I checked the ingredients for my organic peanut butter, and it says it has salt, which probably means iodine. Is it really safe?

[SachOfSCP]

I think the concern about iodine is for the salt water as I have fed my crabs some table foods with regular salt & in 3 years I have never had a problem.

[Kat]

Thanks!

[SachOfSCP]

No problem Of note, in my experience, you can also use table salt when doing shell boiling or deco prep since they will dry before coming in contact with the crabs

[wodesorel]

It's the anitcaking agents in the salt which is the worry since it's a derivative of cyanide. Natural salts don't contain it, and not all anti-caking agents have it, but without knowing what goes into the ingredients there's a bit of a worry.

Iodine is necessary for all invertebrates to be able to molt, and marine mixes do contain it in the proper amounts. Iodine is not going to hurt them.

[SachOfSCP]

Thank you, wodesorel! Why can't I "thank you" for your post?

[JediMasterThrash]

See my "iodine in table salt myth" article halfway down this thread:
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 36&t=71817&

[Kat]

Very helpful, thank you!

[hermitcrabzkid]

can plain, cooked shrimp be okay

[Jackolope]

can plain, cooked shrimp be okay

yes, they especially love to crunch on the tails

[jusgus]

The list says wild rice. Does that include all wild rice? I am just wondering if red rice is safe, it is a naturally red Asian rice

[alliciat]

I use Canola Oil 99% of the time, rather than Evoo. I haven't seen canola listed on eithe the safe or unsafe list. Anyone know if it's okay for the crabs to have?

Also, anyone know if Agave nectar/syrup, 100% organic, no preservatives, is safe for Hermit crabs? I use that 90% of the time, rather than honey due to it's low glycemic index.

What about these seeds: Poppy, anise, fennel, caraway? I know crabs are more attracted to strong/stinky smells, and these are pretty aromatic. I use them a lot in baking.

Since whole wheat/whole grain pasta is okay, does this mean wheat flour would be okay? I was thinking about trying to create some hermit crab crunchies, with all sorts of stuff ground up and mixed in, then baking it.

[Jackolope]

Since whole wheat/whole grain pasta is okay, does this mean wheat flour would be okay? I was thinking about trying to create some hermit crab crunchies, with all sorts of stuff ground up and mixed in, then baking it.

wheat flour is okay when baked into something. i used it to make dog treats this past Christmas, and gave one to the crabs. They loved it! it is safe. Here is the recipe: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 48&t=91379
it doesn't taste that good if you are a human though LOL

[wodesorel]

The list says wild rice. Does that include all wild rice? I am just wondering if red rice is safe, it is a naturally red Asian rice

Yes, but keep an eye on the extra minerals. Some of the really exotic rices are high in odd elements and shouldn't be fed constantly. (Once in a while is always okay. )

I use Canola Oil 99% of the time, rather than Evoo.

Yes, it's from the cabbage family.

Also, anyone know if Agave nectar/syrup, 100% organic, no preservatives, is safe for Hermit crabs?

Definitely yes, but they like honey more!

What about these seeds: Poppy, anise, fennel, caraway?

Never tried and unknown, but none would be native to where they came from. I'm generally of the opinion that they won't eat something harmful so it's worth a try. Poppy of course is related to you know what so there is that to think about. Anise, fennel and caraway are closely related to carrot and parsley, so in theory shouldn't be unsafe.

[alliciat]

Great, thanks for the feedback. I'll not offer ground poppy. Better to be safe than sorry. I'm just trying to find ways to entice them to eat. Since it seems they are motivated by scent/smell, like I've read, I'm trying to think of things with stronger smells, to mix in with their foods.

Glad to know about Agave and who'd've thought canola oil was from the cabbage family lol! They have shown absolutely NO interest in honey, each time it was offered, so I was thinking to offer them organic blueberry agave, so see if that draws any interest.