As scavengers by nature, hermit crabs have an exceptionally diverse palate In the wild, they’ll happily nibble on anything from fruit scraps to decaying wood. When caring for hermit crabs as pets, it’s essential to provide a varied, nutritious diet to keep them healthy and satisfied In this comprehensive feeding guide, we’ll explore the expansive buffet of foods your hermit crab can enjoy.
The Basics: Protein, Fiber and More
While hermit crabs aren’t picky eaters, their diet should contain key nutrients. High-quality protein tops the list – options like cooked chicken, shrimp, egg and mealworms provide amino acids for growth. Fiber from vegetables, nuts and grains keeps the digestive system functioning. Fruits offer natural sugars and vitamins. Calcium (cuttlebone, greens) strengthens the shell. Feed a mix of plant and animal foods for a balanced diet.
Fresh Fruits and Veggies
Hermit crabs love fresh produce! Chop fruits like mango, melon, apple and banana into bite-sized pieces. Favorites include strawberry peach, pear and pineapple. For veggies try carrots, sweet potato, squash, peas, broccoli, spinach and kale. Rinse thoroughly and serve fresh or lightly steamed. Avoid citrus, as the acidity may bother them.
Quality Protein Sources
In addition to freeze-dried shrimp, offer cooked chicken, turkey beef eggs, fish and insects. Chop meats into small chunks for easy eating. Feed sparingly, as too much protein can cause smelly waste. Canned dog or cat food can supplement, but avoid brands with onion or garlic.
Grains, Nuts, Seeds and Beans
Hermit crabs relish nibbling on a variety of grains. Try organic oats, brown rice, quinoa or whole grain pasta. Nuts like almonds, walnuts and pecans provide healthy fats when crushed. Chia, flax, sunflower and pumpkin seeds also offer nutrition. Well-cooked beans including lentils, chickpeas and peas make a tasty, high-fiber treat.
Dried Foods
For convenience, keep a variety of dried foods on hand. Offer crackers, plain cereal, rice cakes or air-popped popcorn. Dried fruits (banana chips, apricots, cranberries), coconut flakes, seaweed sheets and veggie chips are options. Break into bite-sizes to prevent choking. Feed dried foods in moderation, as they lose some nutritional value.
Fish Food and Freeze-Dried Treats
High-quality fish food flakes provide protein, algae and calcium from shrimp shells and krill. Pick a brand free of copper. Also entice their palate with tasty freeze-dried shrimp, plankton and brine shrimp. These are nutritious and shelf-stable.
Natural Habitat Additions
If housed in a naturalistic terrarium, hermit crabs may nibble on mosses, leaves or bark. Use aquarium-safe plants and wood. Algae is also fair game – just scrub off any thick buildup, as excess can make them sick. Pieces of cuttlebone supply beneficial calcium.
Foods to Avoid
Some foods are unsafe for hermit crabs. Avoid dairy, citrus, onions, garlic, chocolate, salt, sugary junk foods and anything spoiled/moldy. Don’t give raw meats or fish to eliminate bacteria risk. Tea and coffee contain caffeine, which is toxic. Tap water has chlorine and fluoride, so use filtered or bottled water.
Best Feeding Practices
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Wash hands before and after handling food to prevent contamination.
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Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24 hours to prevent spoilage.
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Don’t give too much at once, as crabs are grazers and prefer nibbling throughout the day.
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Sprinkle calcium supplement 1-2 times per week for healthy shells.
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Purchase organic produce whenever possible.
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Variety is key – rotate through different healthy foods to prevent boredom.
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Chop, shred or mash foods into bite-size portions for easy eating.
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Feed at night when crabs are most active.
FAQs
How often should I feed my hermit crab?
Offer fresh foods 1-2 times per day and dry foods can be available at all times. Remove fresh foods within 24 hours to prevent spoilage.
What are signs my hermit crab is hungry?
Increased activity, especially in the evening, and crawling on top of the substrate in search of food.
How can I get my picky hermit crab to eat new foods?
Try rubbing a favored food, like shrimp, on a new food so they associate the smell with something delicious. Introduce new items slowly.
Why won’t my hermit crab eat the food I provide?
Ensure the diet has variety. Use highly aromatic foods like fruit to entice them. Discard and replace dried foods regularly. Make sure foods are bite-sized.
What should I do if my hermit crab eats too much?
Gently encourage activity but otherwise monitor closely. Overeating is uncommon but can happen leading up to a molt.
Can hermit crabs eat after a molt?
Avoid handling. Place soft, high-protein foods like egg near their hiding space. They begin eating again once the new exoskeleton hardens.
Providing proper nutrition is crucial to your hermit crab’s health and happiness. With such an extensive palette, they’ll enjoy sampling a diverse smorgasbord. Mix up their menu with a Medley of fresh fruits, quality proteins, veggies, nuts, seeds and more. Your crab will thank you!
We have created a Shopping list to show what you need to look after a Hermit Crab:
- Enclosure; 30cm x 30cm x 30cm minimum
- Substrate
- Water bowls (x2)
- Food bowl
- Hide
- Climbing timber
- Ornaments
- Heat mat
- Water sprayer
- Salt water
- Hermit crab food
This comprehensive care guide will show you how to look after a Hermit Crab in 3 easy steps
How long will my Hermit Crab live? They can live for 10-15 years
How big will my Hermit Crab grow? They will grow 1-8cm
What size tank should I get for my hermit crab? They need a space that is at least 30 x 30 x 30 cm.
What does a Hermit Crab eat? – Hermit crab food, with fruit and vegetables
How easy is it to look after a Hermit Crab? They are a low maintenance pet
Australian hermit crabs are from the northern, tropical areas of the country. They live in coastal dunes with fresh water. Weekly they migrate to the shoreline to bath in the saltwater. A hermit crab enclosure should be at least 30x30x30cm. Because they need to always have access to food, fresh water, and saltwater, separate bowls must be set up for each. Along with a heat source, areas for the crabs to climb on and move about are also essential. This can often be achieved with a log, rock or tree branch. An absorbant substrate such as coco peat is important. The substrate shoud be kept moist to assist in maintaining adequate levels of humidity. Hermit crabs love to burrow, so the bedding can be 2-3cm deep. Hermit crabs are great climbers so their enclosure must be secured with a lid.
Hermit crabs are ectothermic, or ‘cold-blooded’. They therefore need heat provided to them from their surroundings. Depending on the size of your enclosure, that’s best done at home with a heat lamp or heat mat. The temperature in the tank should be different so the crabs can go to warm or cool spots as needed. One end should be heated to about 24–28oC, and the other end should be left at room temperature. Hermit crabs require high humidity to keep their gills moist and allow them to breathe properly. Humidity must be maintained at 75-90% by using an automatic mister, or frequently spraying the enclosure with water. A hermit crab enclosure should be spot cleaned weekly, with all bowls cleaned and the water changed daily. The substrate should be changed monthly, or more frequently if required. Hermit Crabs require saltwater for bathing. This should be provided in a separate bowl to their fresh drinking water. Hermit Crabs live in other creatures discarded shells. As they grow they will leave their old shell and find another larger one to move into. For these kinds of situations, the enclosure should keep a few extra shells that are just a bit bigger than the ones they already have. Like other crabs, hermit crabs need to shed their shells every so often as they grow. This happens about twice a year on average. Because the crab’s new shell is still soft, it needs to be left alone for a few weeks. After moulting, the skin is usually left on the floor. Crabs will eat this skin as it is rich in calcium. They may eat this discarded old skin before you know they have actually moulted. Crabs will usually bury in the substrate for a week or so while their skin hardens up. Make sure there is plenty of food and water in their enclosure even if they are inactive.
An opportunistic scavenger, the hermit crab eats a lot of different things, like fruit, vegetables, insects, and even dead animals. In a tank, hermit crabs should always be able to get food, which should be put in shallow dishes to keep the tank clean. A dry commercial hermit crab flake or pellet can be used as the primary source of food. Fresh fruits and vegetables such as apple, carrot, kale and banana should be offered 2-3 times per week. Additionally, hermit crabs will happily eat dried mealworms, crickets, and other bugs that have been killed. These bugs can be coated with a calcium and vitamin supplement. Some types of hermit crabs, like the strawberry hermit crab, can turn bright red and orange if they eat foods high in carotene, like cooked carrot, sweet potato, and papaya.
Many crabs fall victim to poisoning without their owners realizing it. Insect sprays, room deodorizers, and fresheners, as well as furniture polish, can kill your crabs if they get into their food and water bowls. As they have very small bodies, only a small amount can have devastating effects. Do not place your crabs onto carpet for recreation. Many carpets are cleaned with chemicals, and after the carpet is dry, a lot of the chemicals are still in the fibers. It is safer for you and your hermit crab to play on tiles or lino floors that have been cleaned and rinsed so there is no residue left behind. You can also take them outside and play on the grass.