Research on Hermit Crab Food

[Melancholy]

Hello,

Just reaching out to see if there are any other avid researchers out there.
I am a zoology research major in Australia, work in a pet shop, and have my own little hermie family.

Due to the misinformation and lack of education in pet care, I am writing a comprehensive pet care guide.
The issue is that I only use information backed by peer-reviewed textbooks, journal articles, or veterinary books.
I have plenty of access to research regarding everything hermit crab minus safe/unsafe foods. (Though articles on 'shell-water' and respiration are still a little conflicting). I have a decent understanding on their nutritional requirements, however; I was going through the list of safe/unsafe foods listed and was wondering what the food list was based on and if anyone could provide me with reliable resources.

From what I have read; dietary information is re-shared from two primary sources
- Hermit Crab Association
- Crab Street Journal

For example; I started research on Aloe Vera as Crab Street Journal said it interfered with potassium absorption, however, I couldn't find any research on it (only one journal article about increased survival rate using powdered whole leaf aloe vera for shrimp infected with white spot). I was thinking perhaps the information is based on items that are toxic to other animals? As someone who owns dogs, a bird, reptiles and fish; I know what is toxic/safe to one is very different to the other, but also that reliable research is very limited. I have decided to direct my research towards other crustaceans under decapoda for the mean time; but if anyone can direct me to some good resources, I would be eternally grateful.

Thank you!

[wodesorel]

Yes, the original unsafe lists were put together using items toxic to other companion mammals, and anything that was listed as an insect pesticide or repellent - even if it was in concentrated essential oil form. I think it's one of the weakest sources of info among crab groups and came from a place of pure caution rather than solid facts. We've removed a lot of items from our HCA list over the years because of that.

The safe list was originally compiled by Julia Crab of Epicurean Hermit and it serves as the basis of every groups' list. Unfortunely her web forum where she did the original research no longer exists. (Maybe archives exist via the way back machine?) Additional items came from a book, it's referenced at the bottom of our safe food list. That one has been out of print for a while and I don't belive there are online copies.

If you want to go back far enough as to where the idea of food lists for captive crabs originated, it was from the crab groups on Usenet and Yahoo in the mid to late 90s. That there are no existing archives anymore is devastating.

Everything that was on the original list was food trialed by volunteers who fed the item over time and watched for deaths. We've expanded that list here over the years via people sharing what they've fed even if it was something considered unsafe previously, which is why it no longer matches to other groups. (Things like mint and lavender, for instance.) Also added related plants that would be safe as a whole. (Such as different types of lettuce, different types of meats, etc.) It's entirely by trial and error on captive crabs instead of research into wild diets.

[Melancholy]

Thank you for your reply!

It seems like nutrition is going to be a very difficult topic, I have a feeling that academic studies are unlikely to be funded any time soon.
It is such a shame that the priorities of formal research is so heavily influenced by how it can benefit humans.

I am trying to break things down to a chemistry level instead of trying to find nutritional studies now, but even then that seems unreliable and indefinitive. Plus trying to differentiate what form a compound/food/element is considered toxic gets complicated lol (and if its toxic through external contact, if ingested, or if it enters the respiratory system). Like for example, dietary copper is essential but free copper(II) ion pollution is toxic. I also have a difficult time articulating information in simple terms that the general will understand lol.

I have read a few studies on olfactory perception and food aversion in hermit crabs; based on that I have to assume instinctually most would not eat something that would make them sick... surely haha.

I'll keep searching for now, and hopefully eventually I will find something XD

[KyMart]

Thank you for your reply!

It seems like nutrition is going to be a very difficult topic, I have a feeling that academic studies are unlikely to be funded any time soon.
It is such a shame that the priorities of formal research is so heavily influenced by how it can benefit humans.

I am trying to break things down to a chemistry level instead of trying to find nutritional studies now, but even then that seems unreliable and indefinitive. Plus trying to differentiate what form a compound/food/element is considered toxic gets complicated lol (and if its toxic through external contact, if ingested, or if it enters the respiratory system). Like for example, dietary copper is essential but free copper(II) ion pollution is toxic. I also have a difficult time articulating information in simple terms that the general will understand lol.

I have read a few studies on olfactory perception and food aversion in hermit crabs; based on that I have to assume instinctually most would not eat something that would make them sick... surely haha.

I'll keep searching for now, and hopefully eventually I will find something XD

Please share your findings with us, I'm sure so many of us would love to read what you find on hermit crab food, and the initial project that this is apart of!