Beaked moss harmful to crabs?

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:50 am

Found something on CSJ to confirm a concern I've had over the source of beaked moss as we occasionally tout it as being hermie safe. I can't speak for other brands but Zilla comes from coniferous rain forests and while it may help with humidity and be soft to bury in it can be harmful if they eat it and shouldn't be offered.I knew it came from rain forests but couldn't be sure of an evergreen connection.

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 2:12 am

I remember trying to research it before but it's possible I was only googling beaked moss and not a specific brand. CSJ mentioned Zilla and a webpage for that product confirms it's a coniferous source.http://crabstreetjournal.com/xoops/modu ... ?faqid=118

lpshiner · Post by **lpshiner** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:58 am

I just started a search on Fluker's moss and came across this thread on the acidity of moss- should we be soaking our moss too? I suspect that acidity would be a problem for crabs as well as salamanders (which is where this quote came from- an amphibian forum) Anyone know??>>For my noto terrarium I couldn't find any naturally occurring moss in my area so I picked up some made by Fluker's at the local pet store. It is called Repta Moss and it says it is suitable for amphibians.I've read from others on the site that store bought moss can be acidic, so I soaked a bunch of it in distilled water overnight and tested the resultant solution with a pH kit resulting in a reading of neutral (7.2). >>>

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:29 am

I can never remember about the Fluker's - did a search on it and can't find what kind of moss it is exactly - is it the really bright green moss by chance?I use Zoo-Med sphagnum moss and although I've sprayed it with salt water from time to time, I've not given a thought to it having acidity - imagine that would be more of a problem for animals with porous skin? My crabs love to nest in it as well as nibble on it and I've been using it for years without a problem.

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:50 am

One of Fluker's products is Spanish moss, it's kind of a dead grey color and spanish isn't hermie acceptable. The Real Moss product, don't know yet. It just says it's real terrarium moss. I just shot them an email. I'll let you know what their response in when it comes in.

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:35 am

Wow Fluker's has like a five minute response time. That's great.I was just told it's sphagnum but I asked them to confirm that it's dyed.*edited: Fluker's 2nd response "Yes, it's a food safe dye."

lpshiner · Post by **lpshiner** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:39 am

Hey CA- you rate higher than I do - Fluker's hasn't answered my email asking the same question.... or else they figured out we were on the same forum....Yes, Nicole, I use the green (non Spanish) Fluker's moss- my crabbies love it and practically live in it. I'm glad it is safe, and I think the dye is probably safe too. I'll keep using it for now and maybe try some plain Sphagnum moss next time. I'm glad to know exactly what kind of moss I have.

Homer&Dude · Post by **Homer&Dude** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:17 am

I just picked up some Exo-Terra Forest moss which comes in a pressed bricked and says from tropical rain forests. You have to soak it anyway so that will help with any acidity problems. The crabs really like it and it doesn't have any twigs or foreign matter in it like so many of the others I have tried. I highly recommend it.

Willow · Post by **Willow** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 2:56 pm

I bought 3 huge bags of beaked moss at PetCo when it was in the Clearance section , and I used them for a long time.....no ill effects as far as I can see. And, yes, there were a lot of pine needles and stuff in there.