As a hermit crab owner, a loss of appetite in your pet can be worrying. However, there are several common reasons why your hermit crab may not be eating that are easily addressed. With some troubleshooting, you can get your crab’s appetite back to normal.
Understanding Hermit Crab Appetites
Hermit crabs are omnivorous scavengers by nature and will consume a wide variety of foods. A healthy crab should show consistent interest in whatever food is available. Sudden disinterest in food is not normal and requires investigation.
Hermit crabs only eat about a teaspoon of food daily. Their appetite may seem small, but any prolonged decrease should raise concern. Keep close tabs on how much they are actually consuming.
Common Reasons for Appetite Loss
There are several possible explanations for a hermit crab’s lack of eating:
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Molting – Hermit crabs bury themselves to shed their exoskeletons. This process can take weeks or months. Eating decreases dramatically during molts.
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Stress – Improper handling, habitat changes, or loud environments can induce stress. Stressed crabs often refuse food.
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Illness – Bacterial or parasitic infections and shell damage can cause appetite loss.
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Improper Habitat – Issues with temperature, humidity, substrate, or overcrowding lead to stress and appetite problems
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Inadequate Diet – Lack of variety or nutritional deficiencies will cause disinterest in food.
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Shell Problems – Damaged or improperly sized shells create discomfort and stress,
Troubleshooting Tips to Get Your Crab Eating
If your hermit crab stops eating, methodically go through these troubleshooting tips:
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Check for signs of an impending molt – Lethargy, buried digging, glazed eyes. Leave molting crabs completely alone.
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Evaluate environmental conditions – Temperature between 75-85°F. Humidity around 75%. Deep, appropriate substrate. Dechlorinated fresh and salt water.
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Assess diet – Diverse diet with fruits, veggies, calcium source, quality protein. Avoid repetitive meals.
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Look for evidence of stress – Hiding, missing limbs, aggression. Remove or modify stressors.
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Rule out illness – Inspector for mites, fungal growths, lethargy. Seek exotic vet if needed.
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Consider a shell change – Offer properly fitting options free of damage.
Be Patient with New Crabs
Crabs new to their habitat often won’t eat at first while acclimating. Allow at least a week or two for them to settle in before worrying. Make food readily available during this period.
Monitor Food Consumption Closely
Since hermit crabs eat small amounts, it’s easy to miss their eating. Check food levels carefully and watch for signs of nighttime feeding. Assume they are eating a little unless you have definite evidence otherwise.
Address Picky Eating with Diet Changes
Some hermit crabs can be picky. Try new high quality, natural foods frequently to keep them interested. Rotate options and avoid repetitive meals.
Ensure Proper Heat and Humidity
Hermit crabs rely on proper temperature and humidity to breathe and digest food normally. Use a thermometer and hygrometer to carefully monitor tank conditions.
Reduce Stressors in the Environment
Hermit crabs are highly sensitive to loud noise, bright light, and perceived threats. Evaluate their habitat for stressors and make it feel secure.
Be Patient During Molting Periods
It is normal for hermit crabs to refrain from eating for weeks or months while molting. Resist the urge to dig them up and allow the process to complete undisturbed.
Seek Exotic Vet Care if Necessary
If you are unable to get your hermit crab eating after addressing other issues, an exotic veterinarian can assess for underlying illness and provide appropriate treatment.
Prevent Future Problems with Proper Care
Many appetite issues can be avoided by providing an optimal habitat and diet from the start. Do ample research before bringing home new crabs to set them up for success.
With attentive troubleshooting and a little patience, most cases of reduced appetite in pet hermit crabs can be resolved. Carefully go through possible causes and address anything amiss in their environment, diet or health. Consistency is key – don’t give up! With proper adjustments over time, your crab’s appetite should bounce back.
The Goodness of Grain
Grains are good for crabs as they are high in calcium and other nutrients. Natural, whole grains are preferable to processed refined grains. Brown rice instead of white, for example. Crabs can eat dry grain, but I have found that mine eat better when I have soaked it for a short time in steaming hot salt water, just enough to soften the outer layer of the grain. Putting larger grains through the Ultimate Chopper with other food items afterwards will reduce it in size and make it more attractive to eat.
In the wild, crabs eat a wide variety of grass seeds, or grains. C. compressus is even considered an agricultural pest on rice crops.
Written by Julia Crab (Kerie Campbell) 2005Coconuts: A Really Tough Nut to Crack
Yeah, these guys are tricky to open. But the fresh meat and milk inside are crab ambrosia. The best method for opening them is to employ an adult human male.
Barring access to one of those, note the three depressions at one end of the coconut. These are the coconut’s eyes. An icepick, a chisel, or a strong slot head screwdriver placed firmly in the center of one of the eyes, and bashed firmly and repeatedly by a hammer will eventually reward those with perseverance. A drill or jigsaw can also be employed by those who prefer not to soil their hands or break a nail with manual labor.
Once the eye is breached, pour out the milk, unless you enjoy cleaning up spills on the surrounding counter, floor and walls. You can put this in a small dish for the crabs to drink, or use it in a fruit and flower salad, or to moisten some puffed millet or crispbread. Believe it or not, you can even drink it yourself, in place of pina colada mix. Continue bashing, and wiggling the sharp tool a bit, and the coconut will split.
From there, it is a simple matter to scoop out the meat (with a butter knife or strong spoon). There will be a skin of brown coconut husk on the back of each piece of meat. Leave it on! This husk is very nutritious for the crabs and will not be immune to the kibbling power of the Ultimate Chopper. Break the coconut meat into chunks approximately 1 inch square, place in a freezer bag and freeze away! You can leave some shreds of meat inside one half of the shell (or whatever fraction you end up with) and put it in the tank for the equivalent of a crab cabaret – food and entertainment all in one package. Remove it within 48 hours, before the meat spoils.
Why Your Hermit Crab isn’t Eating or Drinking
FAQ
What do you do if your hermit crab won’t eat?
If your hermit crab isn’t eating, the first step is to ensure the tank conditions are optimal, including temperature, humidity, and substrate depth. New crabs may also be stressed and need time to adjust. Offer a variety of foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein sources, and be patient, as they may eat small amounts or at night.
How do I get my hermit crab to eat?
How long can a hermit crab go without eating?
Hermit crabs can survive for a surprisingly long time without food, potentially for weeks or even months, especially if they are healthy and have access to water.
Are hermit crabs picky eaters?
In the wild, hermit crabs are not fussy eaters so they eat a wide variety of foods. As pets, hermit crabs will also eat a lot of things, including fruits, but that doesn’t mean anything goes.