Pumpkin Plant? Dangerous?

This is the place to post if you have questions and aren't sure where to ask them! If it relates to one of the sections below, please post there instead.
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
trashbees
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:28 pm

Pumpkin Plant? Dangerous?

Post by trashbees » Sat May 06, 2023 11:34 pm

Hello, I have a weird request for advice. I tossed a small pumpkin into my crab tank around halloween. The crabs didn't take much interest in it as far as I'm aware, and it got a bit buried and forgotten. Up until I discovered a pile of pumpkin seeds with a sprout coming out the top. The sprout (or sprouts?) are continuing to thrive. Should I remove the plants? I find the pumpkin plant very amusing but I worry the roots could potentially harm a molting crab. No clue if there is a crab buried anywhere near, but there's no way to really tell. But I also have no clue if plant roots actually pose a danger or not. I think the plant would be fun to allow to stay assuming it doesn't get dig up, but I obviously won't let it continue if it could pose a harm to my little guys. Might be able to safely relocate them to a pot or something if needed.

User avatar

myllkti
Posts: 536
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 1:14 pm
Location: Eastern USA
Contact:

Re: Pumpkin Plant? Dangerous?

Post by myllkti » Mon May 08, 2023 12:49 pm

unfortunately plant roots can indeed harm a molting crab, but if you were to put it into a tiny pot it would be fine so long as the roots don't leave the pot :)
Mere, Elie, and Syd!

Join the Hermit Crab Haven discord!: https://discord.gg/3SnvTczt7p

User avatar

curlysister
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 4301
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:54 pm
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: Pumpkin Plant? Dangerous?

Post by curlysister » Tue May 09, 2023 12:37 pm

No, plant roots are not going to cause any problems - crabs can just chew right through the roots if they need to. Some crabbers have tons of live plants in their tanks.
Pumpkin plants are totally safe, crabs can eat them!
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers

User avatar

myllkti
Posts: 536
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 1:14 pm
Location: Eastern USA
Contact:

Re: Pumpkin Plant? Dangerous?

Post by myllkti » Wed May 10, 2023 2:24 pm

oh thanks for correcting! I could've sworn I read that ~somewhere~
Mere, Elie, and Syd!

Join the Hermit Crab Haven discord!: https://discord.gg/3SnvTczt7p

User avatar

KyMart
Posts: 596
Joined: Wed May 31, 2023 8:33 pm
Location: MO

Re: Pumpkin Plant? Dangerous?

Post by KyMart » Thu Jun 29, 2023 10:20 pm

trashbees wrote:
Sat May 06, 2023 11:34 pm
Hello, I have a weird request for advice. I tossed a small pumpkin into my crab tank around halloween. The crabs didn't take much interest in it as far as I'm aware, and it got a bit buried and forgotten. Up until I discovered a pile of pumpkin seeds with a sprout coming out the top. The sprout (or sprouts?) are continuing to thrive. Should I remove the plants? I find the pumpkin plant very amusing but I worry the roots could potentially harm a molting crab. No clue if there is a crab buried anywhere near, but there's no way to really tell. But I also have no clue if plant roots actually pose a danger or not. I think the plant would be fun to allow to stay assuming it doesn't get dig up, but I obviously won't let it continue if it could pose a harm to my little guys. Might be able to safely relocate them to a pot or something if needed.
Now I want to put one in my crabitat! 😂
I have 5 PPs in a 40 gallon breeder!
~
Want to meet the crew? [link goes here when ready]
~
KyMart

Post Reply