HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello! Need help figuring out a good diet plan for my new hermits. I'd prefer to not feed processed crab foods. I found acceptable foods online and printed them, but want to know what I should feed to make sure my crabs are getting a nice rounded diet with all the nutrients they need.

Tonight, after cleaning their food bowl [which had a hardened layer of substrate on the bottom from the previous owner that I had to scrape off], I offered them some carrot, uncooked oats, dried shrimp, and one pellet just because I was given and I'm not sure if that's what they're used to eating. I also offered them cuttlebone.

Attached is the list of foods I printed. There's probably some foods missing from the list xD
If anyone can give me a good guide on what to feed for a rounded diet that would be great!

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Here is a the link to the list of safe foods from this site....viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557

I’ve also ordered homemade foods online and they have loved them all so far...the store is listed in the shopping link on this site

fandt94 wrote:Here is a the link to the list of safe foods from this site....viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557

I’ve also ordered homemade foods online and they have loved them all so far...the store is listed in the shopping link on this site

I'll check it out and expand my list, thanks!

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So I looked at the list. What should I have daily? As far as how much should be vegetables, fruits, meat, etc. not necessarily specific foods.

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Oswin wrote:So I looked at the list. What should I have daily? As far as how much should be vegetables, fruits, meat, etc. not necessarily specific foods.

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I don't know what the pros will say but I give a little of each food group and because I have a true "hermit" at the moment I have been giving lots of honey, proteins and calcium. My two lively ones partake of the honey every time they eat from what I have seen...one even ventured over to the "hermits" separate little dishes and had some lol. I'm a newbie so I am still playing around to see what they like. So far as foods from my fridge etc its been plums, grapes, peanut butter, cucumber, cherries, carrots, pork, hard boiled eggs. I haven't cooked much lately so have relied on the foods I ordered for more proteins like mealworms, shrimp etc.

Offer some protein and calcium, but also offer a good variety of fruits, vegetables, and plant matter. That’s where most of their vitamins are coming from.

viewtopic.php?p=852657#p852657

Edit: Fixed link.


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I feed my hermies everything that comes from my garden that’s on the safe food list. I’ve gone to the list of reputable vendors from the HCA and purchased the items I don’t have on hand like proteins and leaf litter. If you go to your local farmers market or organic grocery you can really go from kitchen to tank. The other day i made them a salad that looked better than my own topped with shrimp and a honey dressing.


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Over in the FAQ and care sheets section, you will find the 'food pyramid' that explains nutrition really well. Edit - it's actually at the top of this section, in the nutrition by Killimanjaro post.

Please don't feed the pellets, they are not safe.

curlysister wrote:Over in the FAQ and care sheets section, you will find the 'food pyramid' that explains nutrition really well. Edit - it's actually at the top of this section, in the nutrition by Killimanjaro post.

Please don't feed the pellets, they are not safe.

After doing more research today and last night I had already decided not to feed pellets. C:

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One question... why should eggs be fed in moderation? I feed my guys cooked eggs but without butter, salt or pepper and they love it. I’ve even observed my crabs scavenging pieces of egg they’ve dragged off of the food dish.

My crabs also love grilled chicken. I just make sure to check the package for added chemicals to the meat before cooking and offering. Mango is a favorite in my tank, too.