Owning pet crabs can be a unique experience compared to keeping fish or reptiles. Pet crab food can be just as unusual in the beginning.
Due to the high cost, many owners don’t buy food made just for crabs. Instead, they stick with regular fish foods.
New you will be glad to know that you can make your own food for your crab at home if this sounds like the old you.
This complete pet crab food guide will tell you everything you need to know to feed your crab healthy, tasty food.
You can feed your pet crab different kinds of food. Find out when is the best time to feed them and some tips to make sure they get the most out of their food.
As a pet crab owner, one of the most important things you need to know is what to feed your crab at home. Crabs are omnivores and will eat both plant and animal matter. In the wild, crabs eat a diverse diet but in captivity, they rely on us to provide them with proper nutrition.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding pet crabs at home. We’ll look at what crabs eat in the wild, what you should feed captive crabs, and how to create a balanced diet that meets all their nutritional needs.
What Do Crabs Eat in the Wild?
Crabs are found all over the world in different marine and freshwater habitats. Their natural diets depend on where they live and what food sources are available.
Ocean Crabs
Ocean-dwelling crabs feed on a wide variety of food sources
- Small fish
- Shrimp
- Squid
- Mussels
- Sea urchins
- Algae
- Seaweed
- Carrion
- Other crustaceans
Blue crabs and king crabs actively hunt for fish and other marine creatures to eat. Scavenger crabs will eat dead animals that sink to the seafloor.
Freshwater Crabs
Freshwater crabs eat:
- Aquatic plants
- Algae
- Small fish
- Insects
- Worms
- Snails
They are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever is readily available in their habitat.
Land Crabs
Land crabs have diverse diets depending on their habitat. Food sources can include:
- Leaves
- Fruits
- Seeds
- Insects
- Worms
- Small vertebrates
- Carrion
Fiddler crabs eat algae and organic matter in coastal mudflats, Dungeness crabs feed on clams and other mollusks
What Should You Feed Pet Crabs?
In captivity, the key is providing a varied diet that mimics what crabs eat in the wild. Never rely on one food item. Offer a mix of animal protein, vegetation, calcium-rich foods and commercial diets.
Animal Protein
Crabs need animal protein to grow, molt properly, and replenish lost limbs. Good options include:
- Shrimp
- Clams
- Mussels
- Squid
- Fish (cooked)
- Insects like crickets
- Worms
- Chicken (cooked, unseasoned)
Chop seafood and meat into small pieces for your crab.
Vegetation
Vegetables and fruits are important for vitamins and plant matter Some good choices
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Leafy greens like kale or spinach
- Peas
- Green beans
- Berries
- Melon
Wash produce and remove any pesticides. Chop into small pieces.
Calcium-Rich Foods
Crabs need calcium to maintain a healthy exoskeleton. Offer foods like:
- Unsweetened yogurt
- Hard boiled eggs
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Cuttlebone
Sprinkle powdered calcium supplements onto food.
Commercial Diets
High-quality commercial diets provide balanced nutrition. Look for foods designed specifically for crabs. Popular options are:
- Omega One Buffet Pellets
- Hikari Crab Cuisine
- Zoo Med Aquatic Crab Cuisine
Follow package instructions for amount and frequency of feeding.
Creating a Balanced Homemade Diet
With some planning, you can create a nutritionally balanced homemade diet for your crabs. Here are some tips:
- Provide a protein source at every meal
- Include vegetation like seaweed or greens daily
- Offer calcium-rich foods 2-3 times per week
- Use supplements like crushed coral or cuttlebone for extra calcium
- Prep food fresh each day and remove any uneaten portion after 4 hours
- Variety is key – swap ingredients regularly to prevent boredom
Here is an example homemade crab diet:
Monday
- Chopped shrimp
- Spinach
- Zoo Med Repti Calcium
Tuesday
- Canned clams
- Cucumber
- Crushed coral
Wednesday
- Cooked egg
- Kale
- Omega One Pellets
Thursday
- Squid
- Zucchini
- Cuttlebone
Friday
- Crickets
- Peas
- Calcium powder
This sample provides a mixture of proteins, vegetation, and calcium sources. Rotate through ingredients weekly.
Feeding Tips for Pet Crabs
Follow these tips to feed your crabs successfully:
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Provide small pieces: Chop food into tiny portions to prevent choking.
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Use shallow dishes: Place food in shallow containers like jar lids. This allows crabs to easily access and smell food.
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Remove uneaten food: Discard any old food after 4 hours to prevent spoilage.
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Give them “hunting time”: Bury pieces of food in substrate so crabs can forage. This satisfies natural behaviors.
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Supplement with calcium: Use calcium supplements 2-3 times per week.
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Soak vegetation: Soak plant matter like seaweed before feeding to soften.
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Don’t overfeed: Only give enough food for crabs to eat in a few hours. Remove any excess.
Sample Feeding Schedule
Here is a sample feeding schedule for pet crabs:
Morning
-Protein source (shrimp, fish, etc)
-Calcium supplement 2-3 times per week
Afternoon
-Vegetation (seaweed, greens, etc)
Evening
-Protein source
-Commercial diet
-Bury pieces in substrate for foraging
Adjust amounts based on number and size of crabs. Remove any uneaten food after 4 hours.
FAQs about Feeding Pet Crabs
How often should I feed my crabs?
Feed them 1-2 small meals daily. Crabs are scavengers and grazers, naturally eating tiny amounts throughout the day.
What kind of food bowl should I use?
Shallow dishes like jar lids work well. Avoid deep containers where food can get trapped. Ceramic and glass are good materials.
Is it safe to feed my crabs table scraps or human food?
No, avoid human foods. Things like oil, seasoning, sugar, and preservatives can be harmful. Stick to a natural, high-quality diet.
What should I do if my crabs aren’t eating?
Make sure food is chopped small enough. Try soaking vegetation to soften it. Reduce feeding amounts to see if they are being overfed. Check water parameters and molting schedules.
Can I feed freeze-dried foods?
It’s best to avoid freeze-dried options which lack moisture content. Feed fresh or frozen foods instead. Soak freeze-dried items before feeding.
The Bottom Line
With a little planning, you can easily create a nutritious, balanced homemade diet for pet crabs. Provide a variety of natural proteins, vegetation, calcium sources and high-quality commercial foods. Pay attention to your crabs’ preferences and adjust the diet to ensure they are getting proper nutrition. A diverse, thoughtful diet will lead to happy, healthy crabs.
What Do Pet Crabs Eat?
Pet crabs are omnivorous scavengers and eat various foods found in their natural environment, such as small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and plant material.
Crabs eat a lot of different things in the wild, like worms, algae, trash, and dead animals.
They also scavenge for food, looking for anything edible in the substrate of their habitat.
Pet crabs will happily feast on fruits and vegetables, as well as small insects and other invertebrates.
Pet crabs will eat any organic matter that they can fit in their mouths, but what they eat will depend on the type of crab and where it lives.
Buy Pet Crab Food
For those who don’t want to make their own pet crab food, you can always buy food made just for them.
For your crab’s food, make sure you buy things that are high in calcium, protein, and other important nutrients.
Some of the most popular pet crab food brands include Omega One, Hikari, and Ocean Nutrition.
When picking out food, choose something that is made from natural ingredients and doesn’t have any added dyes or preservatives.
It’s also important to buy food that is formulated specifically for crustaceans.