Hermit crabs make for fun, low-maintenance pets. They don’t require a ton of space or expensive supplies. But like any pet, you do need to budget for food costs. So how much does hermit crab food cost on a monthly basis?
I’ve owned hermit crabs for years, so I’m very familiar with the costs In this article, I’ll provide a detailed breakdown of how much you can expect to spend on food for your pet hermit crab
An Overview of Hermit Crab Dietary Needs
Hermit crabs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet should consist of:
- High-quality commercial hermit crab diet
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Animal protein like shrimp, insects, worms
- Calcium from cuttlebone or eggshells
They particularly enjoy tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are also good choices.
Hermit crabs have trace mineral and vitamin needs as well. Their food should contain iodine selenium, and antioxidants.
With proper nutrition, hermit crabs can live 10-15 years. So it’s important to feed them a varied, well-balanced diet.
Cost of Commercial Hermit Crab Food
The main component of your hermit crab’s diet will likely be a commercial crab food. This ensures they get balanced nutrition in an easy format.
Some top commercial diets for hermit crabs include
- Zoo Med Hermit Crab Food
- Fluker’s Buffet Blend Hermit Crab Food
- JurassiDiet Hermit Crab Food
- HBH Crab Cuisine
These foods come in various sized containers, usually ranging from 4 oz trial sizes up to 24 oz buckets. The cost ranges from $3 for a 4 oz container up to $30 for a 24 oz bucket.
To determine how long each size will last, you need to know how much you will be feeding. A good rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon of food per crab, per day.
So for example, if you have 2 medium sized crabs, you would feed 2 teaspoons total per day. A 4 oz container would last around 30 days for 2 crabs.
Here is a breakdown of how long different container sizes will last for 1-4 crabs:
As you can see, the larger containers provide the best value overall. But the smaller sizes are good for trying out new foods.
I recommend budgeting $10-15 monthly for commercial hermit crab diet. Opt for larger containers to bring the average monthly cost down.
Cost of Fresh Foods
In addition to commercial diet, hermit crabs need fresh foods. This provides enrichment and supplemental nutrition.
Offer a rotating variety of fruits, veggies, and animal proteins 2-3 times per week. Here are some estimated costs for fresh food:
- Produce – $5-10 per month
- Animal protein – $5 per month
- Calcium – $2 per month
I buy produce in bulk when possible and freeze extras into portions to feed later. This cuts down on waste.
For animal protein, I offer freeze-dried shrimp, mealworms, or crickets. These come in containers and last a while.
Cuttlebone and crushed eggshell provide calcium. These cost just a couple bucks and will last 6+ months.
So in total, budget about $15 monthly for fresh foods for 1-2 crabs. Adjust up or down slightly depending on how many crabs you have.
Additional Supplies
You’ll also need to account for food dishes, substrate, and other supplies related to feeding. Here are some typical costs:
- Food dish – $5 one time cost
- Extra shells – $5 per year
- Dechlorinator – $10 per year
- Substrate – $10 per year
The food dish is a one time purchase that should last indefinitely. Hermit crabs need extra shells to change into as they grow, so factor in a couple replacement shells per year.
Dechlorinator is used to remove chlorine from water before giving it to your crabs. And substrate needs changing out once or twice a year.
Overall, budget about $15-20 per year for these additional supplies.
Total Annual Hermit Crab Food Costs
Adding up all of the costs discussed above, here is an overview of total annual food costs for 1-2 hermit crabs:
- Commercial diet: $120-180 per year
- Fresh foods: $180 per year
- Supplies: $15-20 per year
So in total, expect to spend $315-380 per year to feed 1-2 hermit crabs.
The exact total will vary based on factors like:
- Number of crabs
- Container sizes purchased
- Types of fresh foods selected
But in general, $300-400 annually is typical for food costs for a pair of hermit crabs.
Tips for Saving Money on Hermit Crab Food
Here are some tips to help reduce food costs for your hermit crabs:
- Buy larger containers of commercial diet.
- Look for sales and coupons on specialty pet foods.
- Purchase produce in bulk when on sale.
- Offer affordable fresh options like carrots, greens, and broccoli.
- Buy calcium supplements in large containers or bulk.
- Reuse/sterilize food dishes rather than replacing.
- Choose substrate that lasts longer, like sand.
With some savvy shopping and bulk purchases, you can trim down the monthly costs. But never skimp on nutrition – your crabs rely on you for a healthy, balanced diet.
Is Hermit Crab Food Expensive Overall?
Compared to many other pets, hermit crabs are relatively affordable. Food costs range from $25-50 per month for a pair of crabs.
Dogs and cats cost $40-60 or more per month to feed. Other small pets like guinea pigs and rabbits have similar monthly food bills as hermit crabs.
The startup costs of supplies and habitat make up the bulk of the expense for pet hermit crabs. But the recurring cost of food is quite reasonable, especially for small animals.
With proper care and feeding, hermit crabs can live over a decade. So the annual food cost ends up being pretty minimal when you consider their lifespan.
All in all, food expenses shouldn’t deter you from considering hermit crabs as pets. With adequate nutrition, they make low maintenance, fascinating companions for many years.
Key Takeaways on Hermit Crab Food Costs
To summarize key points from this article:
- Expect to spend $10-15 per month on a commercial hermit crab diet.
- Budget another $15 or so for fresh foods each month.
- Additional supplies will be about $15-20 per year.
- Total annual food costs for 1-2 crabs averages $315-380.
- Larger containers of commercial diet offer the best value overall.
- Hermit crab food is quite affordable compared to many other pets.
With a little planning and budgeting, you can easily provide great nutrition for your hermit crabs. Their food costs are very reasonable, especially given their long lifespan as pets.
What to know before you buy hermit crab food
Hermit crabs are scavengers and opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat nearly anything they can find in their environment. They primarily eat organic and natural foods, such as non-citrus fruits, vegetables and proteins. This includes:
- Collard greens
- Kelp
- Seagrass
- Algae
- Squash
- Apples
- Mangoes
- Melons
- Wheat germ
- Corn
- Broccoli
- Lentils
- Small fish
- Worms
In their natural habitat, these crustaceans also feed on plankton and other food particles floating nearby.
When it comes to feeding hermit crabs, make sure the food is organic and natural. Also, use a variety of leafy vegetables, fruits and proteins. The food should not contain harmful additives or chemicals, as these can make the crustacean sick.
Hermit crabs are very sensitive to their environment, so make sure the aquarium and any dishes are clean, too. Use shallow plates that the crab can easily reach or climb into. The material should be nonporous so bacteria does not grow in it. Sturdy plastic or ceramic are good options.
Each day, throw away anything that wasn’t eaten. If you don’t, it could go bad and start developing bacteria or mold spores.
Shemit crabs eat slowly and in small chunks, so make sure you break up any food you give them before you give it to them. A lot of store-bought foods, like pellets, need to be broken up or sprayed with water so the crab can eat them. Use clean, fresh water that’s free from chlorine. It’s also important for the aquarium to have this kind of water so the crustaceans can drink.
What to look for in quality hermit crab food
When feeding a hermit crab, use fresh and clean fruits and vegetables. As for commercial foods, most come in one of the following forms:
Although these pets aren’t very particular when it comes to their food, some prefer one form over another. Others do best with a combination of two or more types, so experiment until you find what works.
Commercial hermit crab foods are usually rich in protein, such as from fish or chicken. Other common ingredients include:
- Corn
- Dried fruits, such as blueberries or grapes
- Dried vegetables
- Mealworms
- Eggs
- Shrimp
- Fish oil
- Coconut oil
These foods are meant to make the hermit crab healthier and give it more energy, as well as help it meet its nutritional needs.
Certain foods and ingredients are harmful to hermit crabs. Some manufacturers indicate specifically on the label that their food does not contain anything toxic. Ingredients to avoid include:
- Ethoxyquin and coffer sulfate
- Avocado leaves
- Dill
- Garlic
- Onion
- Tea tree oil
- Thyme
For hermit crabs, it is best to stick to organic methods because they are very sensitive to chemicals, additives, and preservatives.
Along with regular hermit crab food, you can also get supplements. These shouldn’t be your pet’s main food, but they can make the food better in taste or quality. Some can add extra nutrients that crustaceans need.
Commercial foods for hermit crabs usually come in small containers proportionate to the size of the food. These are often around the size of a salt or petter shaker and are measured in ounces.
You can find important nutritional information on the container, like the exact ingredients and the amounts of crude proteins, fats, fibers, and water.
How Much Do Hermit Crabs Cost?
FAQ
How much does it cost to take care of a hermit crab?
How much should I feed my hermit crab?
Should you have 1 or 2 hermit crabs?
What is the best hermit crab food to buy?
How much does a hermit crab cost a month?
The food itself rarely costs more than $10 a month. Once you’ve paid the upfront costs of getting hermit crabs as pets, you can expect to pay $13-$31 a month. If you round up the figures, you’ll spend $180-$420 a year on hermit crabs, which gives you the leeway of about $24-$48 to account for unexpected costs and expenses.
Are hermit crabs cheap pets?
Hermit crabs are cheap pets to own, but you’ll still need to shell out money to take care of them. Those costs can vary wildly, however, with the main variable being whether you buy special food for them or share your own.
How much does it cost to Microchip a hermit crab?
The cost to microchip a pet is usually a one-time fee of $35. This procedure is not recommended for hermit crabs, however, because the microchip is typically embedded under the skin on furry pets. How much does hermit crab food cost? Hermit crabs can follow a commercial diet that provides the optimal balance of nutrients.
How much should a hermit crab eat a month?
As for treats, you can always spoil your hermit crabs with a bag of dried shrimp once a month, for instance. So, by calculating all this, you end up with a monthly food budget of nothing more than $10. Now that the tank is ready and filled with sand, it’s time to add some accessories.