HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Last night I was feeding the crab clan as usual, when I noticed a meal worm munching down on a nest of tiny maggots growing in a moist spot under their dish.

I left it there since there has been more feeding activities around the area. Are they sweet treats to the crabs or need to be taken out? The meal worms are loving them too.

I am new in this group and have been a crabber since I was 14. I am going on 30 now. This is something I haven't had happen before - well noticeably.


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I believe they're safe for your crab to eat, they won't harm your crab either. It might be a pain when the maggots become flies and start flying around your crabitar though. You can always just scoop them up and toss them to get rid of them.

I agree with hermitcrab101. Not necessarily harmful, but I'd still remove them.

Thanks! I've noticed them squirming out of some of the peas, corn, wheat, and dry foods. Which I thought the shrimp and salmon would've had the larva. So odd. I've been scooping out the small spots (of what's left). Although, the crabs are really enjoying this delicacy. Yuck.

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Sounds like fruit fly or gnat larvae. We've seen them in food dishes. Not harmful just annoying. I'd scoop them out and toss them.

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soilentgringa wrote:Sounds like fruit fly or gnat larvae. We've seen them in food dishes. Not harmful just annoying. I'd scoop them out and toss them.

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Thanks. I was thinking the same thing, although I've never had flies. I wonder if they can be from the grubs in there? If so, they had to be laid in their dish and tossed out by the crabs. Hmm. I did scoop them up and toss what was left out, after the feeding frenzy. Hopefully the crabs will keep them maintained and they won't come back worse.

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