HCA: Hermit Crab Association

If you have ever gotten freeze dried foods for your crabs, do you generally rehydrate them or serve "as is"?I ordered from HCA a while ago and some of the FD foods are really hard (more specifically sweet potatoes, etc). Not sure if the crabs are able to eat it. Some of the FD foods (like chicken) are fine the way they are though.If you do rehydrate, what's the best method?

I usually do not rehydrate the foods. I find that the humidity in the crabitat softens most of them. I believe I have read somewhere that you should use a small amount of dechlorinated or salt water if you do want to help it along.

I think I read a post a while ago about how dehydrating the food makes it smell stronger which the hermits like.

As far as the sweet potatos go, I've just given them a quick dip in the salt water dish, and put them in the food dish. They seem to like them.

Saber, now that I think about it, I think you were the one who suggested the sweet potatoes!I, too, notice that for some of the FD foods the humidity takes care of, but others are rock hard even after 2 days. I tried putting coconut oil on them once, which the crabs loved, but I'm not sure how much of the sweet potato they actually ate! Saber, I think I'll try your "dip" method and see how it works!Thanks all!

Jess, I also have the sweet potatoes from HCA and I grind them up to a fine powder in my crabby coffee grinder with a handful of dried corn. I don't have to add water to the mixture and the crabs love their gourmet 'Thanksgiving' veggies served this way!I know I am making my crabs lazy, but I do grind up most of their food (other than meats) as it gets a better response from them by doing so.

I also find that the humidity in my tank helps things to soften quickly and make some items more pliable for the crabs. Although, they have no qualms about dragging something they like off to a corner until it is "just ready" and then eat it.As an FYI, I just purchased in the bulk bins at Whole Foods, some vegetable soup mix, that is mostly dried, thin shavings of carrots, potatoes, etc. and it seems to be a big hit so far.