Hermit crabs are captivating creatures, playing a vital role in coastal ecosystems worldwide. Their unique behaviors, from their reliance on borrowed shells to their quirky eating habits, make them fascinating pets and important contributors to marine environments. Understanding what to feed hermit crabs is not just about pet care; it's about appreciating their place in the natural world. A proper diet is crucial for their health, shell selection, and overall survival.
The Importance of Diet for Hermit Crabs
Knowing why a hermit crab's diet matters is key, as their health, choice of shells, and survival all depend on the quality and variety of their food sources.
Omnivorous Scavengers: Mimicking Their Natural Diet
So, what does the hermit crab eat? Hermit crabs are omnivores and scavengers. In captivity, it’s vital to mimic their wild diet. What does the hermit crab eat? Hermit crabs thrive when their environment offers variety. Their omnivorous appetite is what the hermit crab eats best, it ensures they consume the essential nutrients, minerals, and fibers found in different food sources. The phrase food for hermit crabs encompasses more than just any table scraps. What does the hermit crab eat needs to be a balanced, nutritious diet that replicates their natural environment.
Essential Dietary Components
A balanced diet for hermit crabs should include:
- Protein: Crucial for growth, strength, and shell development.
- Calcium: Essential for exoskeleton and shell changes (molting).
- Fruits and Vegetables: Provide vital vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
While commercial hermit crab food is available, it often contains preservatives, colorants, and fillers. Customizing their diet with homemade meals promotes brighter color, stronger shells, and happier pets.
Read also: The Hermit Thrush's Diet
Foods to Include in a Hermit Crab Diet
Here's a breakdown of food groups and specific items that are safe and beneficial for hermit crabs:
Fruits and Vegetables
A wide variety of fruits and vegetables can be offered, including:
- Apple
- Avocado
- Banana
- Blackberry
- Blueberry
- Carrot
- Celery
- Cherry
- Coconut
- Fig
- Grape
- Guava
- Kiwi
- Lettuce (dark varieties)
- Mango
- Orange
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Plum
- Pomegranate
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Raspberry
- Squash
- Tomato
- Various other fruits and vegetables
Flowers
Edible flower petals can add variety and nutrients:
- Lavender
- Calendula
- Rose
- Hibiscus
- Jasmine
- Various other edible flowers
Leaves and Bark
Dried leaves and bark from safe trees provide cellulose and other beneficial compounds:
- Popcorn
- Dried maple leaves
- Grape leaves
- Oak leaves
- Bark from safe trees (Birch, Maple and Grapevine)
- Cholla wood (a hermit crab favorite)
Protein Sources
Hermit crabs require protein for growth and exoskeleton development:
Read also: What Crabs Eat
- Frozen fish food
- Insect exoskeletons (mealworms, crickets, etc.)
- Exoskeletons of other crabs, shrimp, and crustaceans
- Smelt (a little bait fish)
- Shrimp
- Bloodworms
- Krill
- Plankton
- Freeze-dried baby shrimp (ingredients should only be shrimp, no chemicals)
Seeds and Nuts
Seeds and nuts provide healthy fats and essential nutrients:
- Chia seeds
- Quinoa (sprouted)
- Peanuts (plain, no salt or additives)
- Almonds (plain, no salt or additives)
- Cashews (plain, no salt or additives)
- Pecans (plain, no salt or additives)
- Sunflower seeds
Other Beneficial Foods
- Sea sponges
- Seaweed/algae (spirulina powder, algae crisps, sea lettuce, and kelp)
- Tortoise feces (from trusted sources free of medications and chemical food additives)
- Dairy (in moderation, once every 30 to 60 days as a treat): cheddar cheese, live-culture yogurt, milk
Items to Avoid
- Foods containing preservatives ethoxyquin (often contained in fish flakes, hermit crab pellets, fish pellets, algae wafers, and most commercial food) or BHT.
- Foods ending in the word “meal” - i.e.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Citrus
Preparing Food for Hermit Crabs
- Chop fruits and nuts into small pieces, adjusting the size based on the size of your crabs.
- Mix different ingredients to create varied and nutritious meals. Each mix should include grain, animal protein, fat (seeds and nuts), and maybe some calcium.
- Consider creating a "seed cup" with dried foods like chia seeds, mealworms, bloodworms, dried shrimp, dried crickets, nuts, egg shell, powdered beet, carrot, bee pollen, spirulina, and a dried seaweed blend.
- Sprout seeds like chia and quinoa directly in the substrate or in a separate food dish container.
Fun Food Ideas
- Popcorn: Air-popped popcorn (without butter, salt, or additives) is a favorite treat.
- Chia Garden: Sprinkle chia seeds in a shallow trench in the substrate near the light source, spray with water, and let them sprout.
- Leftovers: Share organic produce and egg waste (shells) with your crabs.
The Shell Game: Why Shells Matter
One of the hermit crab’s most unique features is their use of shells, but where do hermit crab shells come from? Hermit crabs are “borrowers,” not makers, their fragile abdomens require continuous protection from predators, drying out, and injury. Unlike snails, they cannot grow their own shell. As they grow, hermit crabs need to “upgrade” to larger shells. This crucial process can lead to competition among crabs and even shell fights if there are not enough quality shells available. Hermit crab plastic pollution has become an acute environmental threat in recent years. When natural shells are scarce, hermit crabs sometimes use inappropriate objects, plastic caps, broken containers, or even toy parts, as makeshift shelters. As shell habitats dwindle due to over-collection by souvenir hunters and ocean plastic pollution, crabs have fewer choices.
Ensuring a Healthy Environment
Beyond diet, providing a suitable environment is crucial for hermit crab well-being. This includes:
- Maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels.
- Providing a deep substrate for burrowing.
- Offering a variety of shells in different sizes and shapes.
- Ensuring a clean and safe habitat free from pollutants.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet