Feeding From Your Pantry

Few individuals are aware that hermit crabs can consume a variety of items commonly found in our pantries, refrigerators, and gardens.

While we highly recommend providing your crabs with high-quality, handmade mixes to ensure a comprehensive and balanced diet, you can also supplement their diet with fresh and dried items from your kitchen. This approach is particularly beneficial if you are awaiting the arrival of food mixes or are managing a limited budget.

Key Ingredients to Monitor in Food Packaging

• Preservatives

• Artificial Flavouring

• Artificial Colouring

• Pesticides

• Sulfides

• Additives

• Added Salt (Sodium Chloride)

• Added Sugar

• MSG

• Artificial Sweeteners

• Chemicals

• Copper Sulfate

• Items from the Unsafe Food List

Why is it necessary to avoid these food items for our hermit crabs? It is well-known that the aforementioned items are not only unhealthy for humans but can also have detrimental effects on our health. These items are not natural and are not part of the diet that wild hermit crabs would encounter in their natural habitat.

Certain additives, preservatives, flavours, sweeteners, and similar substances can be harmful to hermit crabs. As natural scavengers, they consume only natural items found in their wild habitat. Ingesting these unsafe food items can result in severe and potentially fatal outcomes.

Some preservatives present in food can hinder hermit crabs from successfully shedding their exoskeleton, potentially stunting their growth and adversely affecting their overall health.

Sodium chloride contains significant levels of iodine, which can be toxic to hermit crabs if consumed in excess.

Copper sulfate is also recognized as being toxic to invertebrates.

Safe Foods from Your Pantry

• Natural Seeds - Chia seeds, sesame seeds, pepita seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, poppy seeds.

• Unsalted Natural Nuts - Peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, cashews, walnuts, almonds, pistachios.

• Natural Whole Grains - Oats, wheat bran, psyllium husk, millet, amaranth, brown rice (cooked), quinoa, buckwheat, whole meal pasta (cooked), freshly popped popcorn (without salt or butter).

• Natural Legumes - Lentils, chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans.

• Organic Natural Nut Butters - Ensure there are no additives, added sugars, or salts.

Safe Foods from Your Refrigerator

• Organic Fruits - Includes apples, oranges, bananas, pears, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, watermelon, etc.

• Organic Vegetables - Includes carrots, beetroot, broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, pumpkin, capsicum, etc.

• Eggs - Must be cooked before consumption, including shell, whites, and yolk.

• Meat - Should be cooked prior to consumption, without added salts, marinades, or spices.

• Seafood - Should be cooked prior to consumption, without added salts, marinades, or spices.

Safe Foods from Your Garden

Ensure that all leaves and flowers are thoroughly washed and have never been exposed to pesticides or chemicals. DO NOT use florist flowers or leaves, as these are treated with harmful chemicals to prolong their lifespan.

• Rose Petals and Leaves

• Calendula Petals

• Blue Butterfly Pea Petals

• Hibiscus Petals

• Cornflower Petals

• Oak Leaves

• Maple Leaves

• Dandelion Leaves and Flowers

• Lilac Flowers

• Pansy Flowers

Preparing foods for your Hermit Crabs

Ensure that everything you use is washed first to remove any nasties or bugs.

Purchasing organic only fruits, vegetables and meats ensures that there are no hidden nasties in your food.

It is recommended to cook meats and seafood before feeding. Avoid using meats or seafood that are seasoned with spices, marinades, or salts, as plain meat is the safest option. Utilize hermit crab-safe oils such as coconut oil, beef tallow, sesame oil, or olive oil for cooking. Alternatively, you may steam them or use an air fryer without oils until they are thoroughly cooked.

You can choose to dice their food into bite-sized pieces or include it whole or in larger chunks. Interestingly, I've observed that some Hermit Crabs decline diced apples but eagerly consume apple slices. The reason for this preference remains unclear, as they are indeed peculiar creatures.

To prevent spoilage and mold growth, all fresh or cooked foods should be removed within 24 hours. Failure to do so may result in an unpleasant odor within your tank.

I find it convenient to provide fresh foods to my crabs while preparing dinner. I offer them the trimmings from any fruits, vegetables, and meats that I am cooking.

It is not necessary to cook fruits or vegetables before feeding them. However, harder vegetables, such as sweet potato, broccoli, carrot, and pumpkin, may be easier to consume if cooked first. You can prepare these vegetables by steaming or boiling them in unsalted water.

Potentially Unsafe Food Items Identified in Your Pantry and Refrigerator

• Garlic

• Onion

• Bay Leaves

• Sugar

• Chocolate

• Candy

• Cinnamon

• Dill

• Peppermint

• Rosemary

• Table Salt

• Vanilla

• Thyme

• Foods High in Sugar

• Cream

• Yogurt

• Milk

• Ice Cream

• Cheese

• Cat Food

• Dog Food

• Stocks - Chicken, Beef, Vegetable

• Ginger

• Unsafe Spices (Paprika and Cayenne are safe)

• Unsafe Herbs (Cilantro, Fennel, Mint, Parsley are safe)

• Coffee

• Avocado Leaves, Skin, and Pit

• Catnip

• Eucalyptus

• Papaya Seeds

• Compost

• Deli Meat

• Biscuits

Fresh or Wrinkled?

When feeding crabs fruits and vegetables, many people question whether the produce needs to be completely fresh. If you have apples that are beginning to wrinkle but have not yet developed mould, you might wonder if they are suitable. Rest assured; your crabs are not concerned about a few wrinkles. As long as the food is still edible and free from visible mould inside or out, you can certainly offer your slightly withered produce to your hermit crabs. They will not mind.

Avoid Moldy Foods

It is not advisable for anyone to consume mouldy food, and the same applies to your hermit crabs. If you notice any visible mould on your food, whether on the surface or inside, it is best to discard it. Exercise caution regarding what you feed your crabs. Therefore, we recommend purchasing high-quality, pre-made foods from a reputable hermit crab food supplier.

Ultimately, if you are uncertain about the safety of an ingredient or food item, it is advisable to refrain from using it. The potential risk is not justified. Additionally, ensure that you consistently provide your crabs with essential supplements, including Greensand, Worm Castings, Insect Frass, and a Calcium supplement.