Lemon button fern

[Brian_T]

Does anyone know of if lemon button fern are safe for crabs?

They seem to be safe for cats dogs geckos and frogs, but of course there is know information about hermit crabs.

Every I've read about them seems like a crabitat is a good environment for them. They even have a bit of salt tolerance. Ferns seems to be generally safe for terrariums. I'm deciding if I should take a chance. Seems like a mitigated risks.

And it was cheap so I wont be upset if the crabs tear it up.


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[LadyJinglyJones]

Let us know how the experiment goes... I'm trying live plants in my tat too. And what kind of substrate you using for the fern? It doesn't like sand, does it?

[Brian_T]

Let us know how the experiment goes... I'm trying live plants in my tat too. And what kind of substrate you using for the fern? It doesn't like sand, does it?

I'm going to use expanded clay balls and Coco fiber which is a mix used in hydroponics. I'll take it out to water and fertilize. I just need to figure out a safe fertilizer. Or maybe the crabs will take care of that.

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[soilentgringa]

Let us know how the experiment goes... I'm trying live plants in my tat too. And what kind of substrate you using for the fern? It doesn't like sand, does it?

I'm going to use expanded clay balls and Coco fiber which is a mix used in hydroponics. I'll take it out to water and fertilize. I just need to figure out a safe fertilizer. Or maybe the crabs will take care of that.

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I wouldn't recommend using the clay balls in the crabitat.

You can check the Safe Food list, ferns may or may not be on it.

Insects and other crustaceans are the closest things to crabs. Always look to see if something is safe for insects before attempting to put it into a crabitat.

The root systems of live plants can interfere with the substrate and tunnelling, and crabs will shred the plants to pieces.

I personally wouldn't use any live plants other than chia or millet sprouts, but if you are dead set on using them, you may research plants that are found in their natural habitats.


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[Brian_T]

Let us know how the experiment goes... I'm trying live plants in my tat too. And what kind of substrate you using for the fern? It doesn't like sand, does it?

I'm going to use expanded clay balls and Coco fiber which is a mix used in hydroponics. I'll take it out to water and fertilize. I just need to figure out a safe fertilizer. Or maybe the crabs will take care of that.

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I wouldn't recommend using the clay balls in the crabitat.

You can check the Safe Food list, ferns may or may not be on it.

Insects and other crustaceans are the closest things to crabs. Always look to see if something is safe for insects before attempting to put it into a crabitat.

The root systems of live plants can interfere with the substrate and tunnelling, and crabs will shred the plants to pieces.

I personally wouldn't use any live plants other than chia or millet sprouts, but if you are dead set on using them, you may research plants that are found in their natural habitats.


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Thanks for the advice. I've actually considered most of that after reading many of your posts in different threads. I plan on putting it into a container, probably a suction cup soap dish, to address the root issue as well as so I can remove it for watering without risking a flood.

The only information I could find regarding insects is it is commonly damaged by slugs. They do seem to be popular with a number of different viveriums. Frogs and geckos,. Etc. Since they tend to keep isopodes, it seems promising.

No information either way on the safe or unsafe lists.

I am researching Caribbean ferns, hopefully to find a small one that grows as an air plant. I haven't found a good candidate yet. Lemon button ferns are native to Hawaii apparently.

I tend to research these things to death. This is still a work in progress. It was an impulse buy because it I liked the look and it was cheap, so even if it stays on the window sill, no big deal.

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