My food selection

[Xenpurgisnachtt]

Here's the things I go through feeding my crabs, I usually routine them;

Freeze dried crickets

Freeze dried mealworms

Freeze dried shrimp

All living things dried veggie mix

All living things hermit crab medley mix ( pellets, sun shrimp, and mealworms- I've already checked for preservatives! )

~

Also, whenever we go to the store and happen to get fruit. Sometimes we'll get apples, grapes, and bananas- currently, there's some apples and green grapes in there right now!

[Xenpurgisnachtt]

There's also bloodworms in the mix, which anything in general I coat with calcium powder.

[GotButterflies]

Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid Crabs need calcium at all times. Examples of calcium are cuttlebone, coral, oyster shell, eggshell. Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers. They can eat a lot of the same foods that we do, so check out the safe food list. Variety is a must!! It's fun to feed them! Pellet food/Commercial food typically isn't safe - as most things that are labeled for hermit crabs aren't safe for them - its a whole marketing ploy. I recommend avoiding them in general. Please check to make sure they don't have the ingredients that you need to avoid. You can see the commercial food link under the forums

Safe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92556
Food pyramid: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92554

[curlysister]

Here are the ingredients of the Hermit Crab Medely:

Dried Shrimp, Dried Mealworms, Fish Meal, Ground Corn, Squid Meal, Dried Whole Egg, Krill Meal, Soybean Oil, Shrimp Meal, Yeast Extract, Artificial Flavors, Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherol, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (stabilized source of Vitamin C), Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Biotin, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Canthaxathin, Inositol

I would personally stay away from it - too many added things. And it says 'artifically flavored' on the front of the label. There are definately better options out there.

[crabby33]

This is what my crabs are eating right now:

Aqua Culture freeze dried crickets
Aqua Culture freeze dried mealworms
Wardley Hermit Crab food 100% dried whole shrimp
Scrambled egg whites

I agree with GotButterflies. It’s very important to follow the food pyramid. Animal proteins are the most important. Especially for molting. I also have a calcium pit with egg shell and crushed oyster shell for the crabs to have access to at all times.

[GotButterflies]

This is what my crabs are eating right now:

Aqua Culture freeze dried crickets
Aqua Culture freeze dried mealworms
Wardley Hermit Crab food 100% dried whole shrimp
Scrambled egg whites

I agree with GotButterflies. It’s very important to follow the food pyramid. Animal proteins are the most important. Especially for molting. I also have a calcium pit with egg shell and crushed oyster shell for the crabs to have access to at all times.

Are you offering fruits, veggies, fats, etc?

[crabby33]

I do offer fruits and vegetables. I am on a budget so I prefer to buy inorganic. Organic is too expensive. However, my crabs were being fussy and wouldn’t eat the fruits and veggies I was offering: bananas, peaches, nectarines, cherries, and bell peppers. They even wouldn’t eat mangoes. I switched to dead crickets, mealworms, and shrimp and they started eating.

I also do check out the safe food list for other options.

[crabby33]

This is what my crabs are eating right now. I was offering fruits, veggies and fats but my crabs quit eating that so I had to switch to animal proteins for awhile. I did see in the nutrition guide that almonds are listed as a fat source, so I added almonds.


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[crabby33]

Here is an updated picture of the food dish with banana added for variety


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[GotButterflies]

Okay, just making sure you were offering

[crabby33]

I’m thinking my crabs may be in premolt because I have seen them going for the protein and calcium sources more than the fruit so I am making sure to leave them alone during this time.


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[fandt94]

I’m thinking my crabs may be in premolt because I have seen them going for the protein and calcium sources more than the fruit so I am making sure to leave them alone during this time.


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I’ve noticed my biggest guy doing the same! He’s always in the dish that has the mealworms, calcium and worm castings! The regular food dish also holds a protein but I guess the other dish is more convenient for him lol