Reptile Calcium Powder

[crabby33]

I just want to clarify but the crabbing community feels that reptile calcium powder like Repashy is dangerous, correct? Due to the chemicals added? I don't have any intention of using reptile powder for calcium but I just wanted to get an opinion. I'm getting the impression that there are SOME things you can buy from the pet store for your crabs but not EVERYTHING because the crab community feels that there are some things at the pet store that they believe to be dangerous like pellets even if there is no scientific evidence it will harm crabs.

[NLindsey921]

I'm not sure about the danger but for calcium you can buy cuttlebones. They sell them in the bird section. You could also use eggshells.

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[wodesorel]

There is scientific evidence that certain ingredients will harm crabs due to them being toxic to crustaceans or used as an insecticide. (Crabs are arthropods, too). Check out the article on commercial foods for more details as to what and why and which ones are known to use them.

I personally use some calcium supplements, the ones that are just calcium. Keep in mind that reptile calciums (especially many of the repashies) have things added to them that are dosed for a reptile's specific needs and body weight, not what a crab would get in their diet or to their size. (High dose D is one of them.)

Also, reptile calcium is used to offset the amount of phosphorous in insects, without which will lead to calcium being leached from their bones instead. (Phosphate bonds with calcium, the types of insects that are farmed are high in phosphate but low in calcium, and if the phosphate doesn't have enough calcium to bind to it will leach it from the bloodstream and eventually the blood levels get so low it leaches from the bones.) This doesn't happen in the wild when they get a wide range of bugs and sunlight, but in captivity not using suppliments will deform them and end up in their deaths. (I have several who are rescues.)

Anyway, I say all that so that you'd have some understanding why reptile supplements won't work the same way for crabs, crabs need a wider range of supplimentation to grow their exoskeleton which is why other types of additive are recommended, ones that are more complete in their mineral profiles.

[aussieJJDude]

If its 100% calcium powder than I dont see the harm in it. Some may disagree... however the problem is that a lot of the pet store items contain additives such as preservatives or colourants that could make them sick. Unfortunately we dont know exactly how well hermit crabs respond to such additives - it may be safe - but it takes years of research which we dont have... or is anyone willing to sacrifice their pets? We can however, look at closely related species such as other crabs, arachnids and insects and make conclusions based on those species. And many closely related species have averse affects to such chemicals or molecules, which is the reason that many store brought pellets - there are a few that are safe, food section should list those there - are deemed unsafe.

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[CallaLily]

If its 100% calcium powder than I dont see the harm in it.

Same.

[Happyhermiehome]

Egg shells are free if u eat eggs...that's always a + in my book! Just sayin lol

Not that I think there's anything wrong with the 100% calcium powder.

[AleyedtoBuggie]

So Fluker's Calcium w/ Vitamin D3 would be unsafe to give to hermits?

[aussieJJDude]

Well depends on ingredients. :/ I'd go with a cautious yes...

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[wodesorel]

I would have concerns about the D being too high. In chameleons for instance, calcium with vitamin D should only be used twice a month or they can overdose from it and it leads to health problems that can kill them. The way crabs pig on calcium powders I would have the same concerns as they wouldn't be getting a fraction of that amount in their natural diet. A light dusting on something once a month maybe, but not free fed where they could gorge.

[AleyedtoBuggie]

I've been doing exactly that actually. Just a light dust when I feel like they need it, like if I think someone is close to a molt. Usually more than one molts at once. I've had this tiny jar since my first hermit lol, not even half is gone. I don't even remember it costing much.

I halfway thought it was helping their color, but that's probably a coincidence. In any case, all my hermits are so vibrant now! The newest 2 are getting brighter too.

It's been sitting to the side since I asked. I won't use it anymore, don't want to do anything to hurt my babies!

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[ROSIEonFIRE]

I just crushed up a cuttle bone into a powder. Presto, calcium powder with no additives!!