Eating the sub?

[Hermiecrab]

Hey guys! It's been a while! I'm writing this cause I'm worried.... For some reason, all my crabs seem to enjoy getting all up by the tank walls, and eating the substrate off the glass... Should I be worried about this? It's just coco sub.

Thanks!

[setaegin]

I don't think there's anything wrong with crabs picking at their substrate. Mine has been doing it for the 9 years I've had him and he's fine It may be worth offering some (safe/sterilized) detritus like leaf litter, worm castings, some cork bark, etc. as they like to eat that stuff and may be looking for it in their substrate as they would be in the wild.

[CrabbyLover77]

Have you tried offering greensand? My guys love it, maybe yours will too since they like sifting thru your sub. Maybe offer flaked coconut too since they like the EE.

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[curlysister]

Crabs will for sure eat coco fiber, totally normal.

[Hermiecrab]

Okay thanks! I assumed it was ok, but i wanted to be sure because I've heard horror stories about small pets getting impactions... I'll for sure try to get them greensand sometime soon! And I do sometimes offer flaked coconut.

[Pumpkincrab]

I offer greensand and other diff. minerals and natural items and I still see mine eat the sand! One time I bought a whole bunch of food and one walked up, ate sand for like 15 seconds then walked away lol.
Nothing to worry about, I'd say

[CrabbyLover77]

I offer greensand and other diff. minerals and natural items and I still see mine eat the sand! One time I bought a whole bunch of food and one walked up, ate sand for like 15 seconds then walked away lol.
Nothing to worry about, I'd say

Sounds like when I used to buy my cat a nice toy and she'd play with the box lol!
Crazy crabs

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[wodesorel]

Okay thanks! I assumed it was ok, but i wanted to be sure because I've heard horror stories about small pets getting impactions... I'll for sure try to get them greensand sometime soon! And I do sometimes offer flaked coconut.

Impaction is a physical blockage that occurs in mammals and reptiles when there's either a lot of small indigestible pieces passing through the intestines all at once, something foreign that blocks them up, or when something is wrong with husbandry and/or there's major underlying health issues so that they aren't able to digest normally.

Crabs are so tiny, and are able to digest organic plant matter that other animals can't including cellulose, that impaction probably is impossible for them. Even when it comes to sand, they are able to scrape the outside of the grains and then spit them back out.

[Hermiecrab]

Ok! Thanks! I've been reading too much about bearded dragons lately: lol: And I'm definitely no biologist...


This forum is so helpful! There are so many knowledgeable people on here.

HUGS!