mixed opinions on foods?

[crabs_lex]

I was looking at the guides to nutrition on here and also the safe foods list because I am trying to ensure my hermies have a complete and balanced diet. And for example, tuna is on the safe food list and I also found it on the nutrition guide. Then I saw a post saying that lots of you guys chose not to feed your guys tuna. So I am curious if there are other foods that are considered safe and on the lists but you chose not to feed them to your crabs. Like any controversial foods I should look out for. And is there anyone that does feed their crabs tuna?

[CrabbyLover77]

I've fed my crabs tuna. I got those little strips of tuna that are packaged for cats and sold by Fancy Feast. They didn't seem to be that interested in it so I haven't bought it again. I also buy the Pure Bites dog and cat freeze dried treats for them. They like the salmon, ocean medley, lamb, duck, chicken, and minnows.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[crabs_lex]

okay thank you
do you know of any controversial foods like the tuna that are on the safe food list but some chose not to feed?

[crabs_lex]

also can someone tell me if they know the most updated and correct hermit crab nutritional guide is because the one posted on there is from like 2008 and i was wondering if there is a more updated one becasue there are things on there that people disagree with.
also does anyone have a reccamended feading guide becasue the one on here says calcium doesn't need to be offered every single and i have heard others say that calcium is one of the most important thinhs in a crab diet

[CrabbyLover77]

okay thank you
do you know of any controversial foods like the tuna that are on the safe food list but some chose not to feed?

You're welcome!
I think it was JoeHermits, not sure, that tried feeding their crabs garlic. It made the tank smell and the crabs didn't really eat it.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[curlysister]

I am the other way around. I have fed foods that are not of the safe list, without realizing it until after! LOL!

[CrabbyLover77]

I am the other way around. I have fed foods that are not of the safe list, without realizing it until after! LOL!

Lol!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[DUDE]

In not exactly sure but I heard that recently that it is now recommended that we should not feed hermit crabs honey because some ppl realised that there is nothing called a 'healing food' because any food fed to the crabs are beneficial. According to the updated care guide I read, honey can coat crab gills and legs clogging them and making them sticky, and it's just better to not feed at all even in small amounts. Is this information true? Personally I haven't really fed my crabs much honey so I'm not sure.

[Motörcrab]

In not exactly sure but I heard that recently that it is now recommended that we should not feed hermit crabs honey because some ppl realised that there is nothing called a 'healing food' because any food fed to the crabs are beneficial. According to the updated care guide I read, honey can coat crab gills and legs clogging them and making them sticky, and it's just better to not feed at all even in small amounts. Is this information true? Personally I haven't really fed my crabs much honey so I'm not sure.

I have seen the honey change in another group. I can honestly see the argument from both sides of the argument with honey. I personally think if given as a drop or mixed with another food in tiny quantities it isn't as dangerous. That's just my opinion though.

The healing food is another one that I feel is debatable. Some foods are a lot more nutritious per serving compared to others. Those could technically be considered better healing. I believe in offering a mixed diet of everything at all times in order to them all of the time. As long as the crab is getting all the nutrition it needs it should be healing. They pick what they need. I don't know of any foods labeled as Healing foods for human consumption. Possibly chicken soup. Why would it be any different for a hermit crab?

To quote Mitch Hedburg, " Any book is a children's book, if the kid can read!"

[wodesorel]

I don't like calling them healing foods, more like a food boost, but there are a few things that are nutrient loaded and easy for weakened crabs to eat.

Honey and peanut butter are the ones we always talk about because people usually have them on hand, they are loaded with fast acting calories, they pack a lot of nutrients, and they are super easy for a crab to eat since they are smooth. A quick caloric carb-laden meal can sometimes boost the crabs enough to get them eating normally again. It's the same idea as using pedialyte for sick kids, or Karo syrup for crashing kittens and puppies.

Different foods have different levels of nutrition as well. Bee pollen has 40 different vitamins and minerals as well as being loaded with both protein and carbs. Coconut has beneficial oils and fats as well as vitamins. Some things are just better packed with what crabs need, and when you have a crab not wanting to eat, getting the best possible nutrition in them is what is important. Like, I would never recommend apples or broccoli or flower petals for a crab that is seriously struggling. Any energy he has left needs go towards eating things that will boost him the most!

[C_fiesta]

I don't like calling them healing foods, more like a food boost, but there are a few things that are nutrient loaded and easy for weakened crabs to eat.

Honey and peanut butter are the ones we always talk about because people usually have them on hand, they are loaded with fast acting calories, they pack a lot of nutrients, and they are super easy for a crab to eat since they are smooth. A quick caloric carb-laden meal can sometimes boost the crabs enough to get them eating normally again. It's the same idea as using pedialyte for sick kids, or Karo syrup for crashing kittens and puppies.

Different foods have different levels of nutrition as well. Bee pollen has 40 different vitamins and minerals as well as being loaded with both protein and carbs. Coconut has beneficial oils and fats as well as vitamins. Some things are just better packed with what crabs need, and when you have a crab not wanting to eat, getting the best possible nutrition in them is what is important. Like, I would never recommend apples or broccoli or flower petals for a crab that is seriously struggling. Any energy he has left needs go towards eating things that will boost him the most!

I completely agree with this rationale.

IMHO the anti-honey movement is a bit too fear driven and illogical for me. We're not bathing crabs in it! But I understand wanting to be cautious.

[wodesorel]

I completely agree with this rationale.

IMHO the anti-honey movement is a bit too fear driven and illogical for me. We're not bathing crabs in it! But I understand wanting to be cautious.

I think it's also a lack of understanding of their anatomy. Can't shake the feeling people are picturing them having fish gills! I've necropsied dead crabs before, their gills are so much closer to lungs at this point in their evolution, they are covered over by exoskeleton and their body, and they cannot be coated in anything.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Motörcrab]

I can see using caution with honey. Using several drops compared to offering a bowl a crab could fall into. As long as their caregiver uses common sense with any food there shouldn't be any major concerns. I offer nutritional yeast for our crabs, I don't recall that being on either list. I could be mistaken.

[wodesorel]

I'll have to check. I thought brewers yeast was. The nutritional yeast movement is newer than the lists.

Who would really offer a giant bowl of honey though? It just doesn't make any sense because it's not how people feed honey. They drizzle it on other foods, or put in a popcap or small shell full. You'd have to add a ramiken full to the top with honey in order to drown a crab in it, and in that case any type of liquid or viscous food would be just as harmful.

[JoeHermits]

I don’t see any form of yeast on the Safe List, though I don’t see why they couldn’t be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk