As a hermit crab owner, providing proper nutrition is key to keeping your crabs healthy and happy. But with so many options available, you may be wondering how much you should budget for food. In this article, we’ll break down the costs of different types of hermit crab foods to help you plan an affordable diet that meets their needs.
Commercial Crab Foods
Specialized commercial diets formulated for hermit crabs make up the staple of their nutrition. These foods contain a blend of ingredients like plant matter, insects, and marine life to provide balanced nutrition. Here are some popular options with typical price ranges:
- Pellet food – $3 to $8 for a 4-8 oz container
- Powdered food – $4 to $10 for a 4-8 oz package
- Canned or pouches – $2 to $5 per 5-6 oz can/pouch
For one or two small to medium crabs, budget about $10 to $15 per month for commercial foods. Buy the smallest container size to ensure freshness.
Pros: Convenient, provides complete nutrition.
Cons: Can cost more per ounce than other options.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh produce makes a healthy, natural supplement to commercial diets. Good choices are leafy greens like kale and broccoli, and fruits like mango, papaya, banana, and coconut Expect to spend around $3 to $5 per week on produce
Wash and chop produce into small pieces before feeding. Remove uneaten fresh foods daily.
Pros Adds variety low cost, natural.Cons Labor intensive spoils quickly.
Animal Protein
Sources of animal protein like dried insects, cooked lean meat, and seafood provide important nutrients Here are typical costs
- Dried mealworms – $5 to $10 for 1/2 pound
- Cooked chicken, beef, fish – $0.50 to $1.50 per serving
- Dried shrimp – $7 to $10 for a 2 oz bag
Budget $5 to $10 per month for supplemental protein. A little goes a long way!
Pros: Supports growth and exoskeleton.
Cons: Risk of spoilage if left overnight.
Natural Wood
Safe woods like oak, maple, and cholla offer enrichment and fiber. You can often find suitable pieces around your neighborhood for free. Pet stores also sell assorted wood shapes for $5 to $10.
Each piece will last for weeks before needing replacement. Budget $5 to $10 every 2-3 months for wood.
Pros: Long lasting, eco-friendly, low cost.
Cons: Specialty woods can be pricey.
Treats
For occasional treats, try foods like honey, dried coconut, peanut butter, popcorn, or trail mix in small portions. Treats cost $0.25 to $3 per serving depending on the item. Plan for about $5 per month.
Pros: Adds excitement and variety.
Cons: Potential for overfeeding if given too frequently.
Calcium
Powdered calcium supplements support exoskeleton growth. Expect to pay $5 to $10 for a bottle that will last 6 months or more.
Pros: Vital for health, affordable.
Cons: Remember to replenish before running out.
Food and Water Dishes
You’ll need a few small, shallow non-porous dishes. Ceramic and stainless steel bowls work well. Expect to pay $5 to $10 for a starter set.
Pros: Long lasting, easy to clean.
Cons: Ceramic can chip.
Estimated Monthly Total
- Commercial food: $10 – $15
- Produce: $15 – $20
- Protein: $5 – $10
- Wood: $0 – $5
- Treats: $5
- Calcium: $0 – $5
- Dishes: $0 – $5 startup cost
Grand total per month: $35 – $60
For one or two small crabs, expect to spend $35 to $60 per month on food. Focus purchases on quality commercial foods supplemented with fresh produce and proteins. Buy in bulk when possible and mix up the diet weekly for variety. Most importantly, monitor portions to avoid waste!
With a little planning, you can provide great nutrition without breaking the bank. A varied diet is key to keeping your hermit crabs healthy and active.
Hermit Crab Food Custom Mix
This custom pet crab food is crafted with a focus on providing a well-rounded diet for land hermit crabs. When you buy our hermit crab food, you get high-quality ingredients blended to create a diet that is both highly nutritious and easy to consume. You can be confident that you are offering one of the best hermit crab foods available.
By incorporating a diverse range of nutrients, this food promotes healthy development and longevity. Our food for hermit crabs is suitable for daily feeding, it provides a reliable source of nutrition, making it a popular choice for owners seeking hermit crabs’ favorite food options.
Feeding Instructions Hermit crabs eat very little amounts so only offer a tiny portion. Excess food will simply go to waste. Replace any food that may spoil each day. Crabs sometimes only eat at night so you may never see them eating.
Are you wondering what food do hermit crabs eat? …
Hermit Crab Food Custom Mix
Your crabs will be excited! Our land hermit crab food is specially designed to be very tasty to pet crabs while also providing the essential nutrition they need. This 4 oz size of pet crab food contains ingredients including nutrient-rich pellets formulated with a blend of proteins, minerals, and other key nutrients to support their natural growth and overall health. Plus seeds, oats and fruit flavored pellets for their enjoyment and enrichment as they sort the food for their favorite bits. Recognized as one of the best foods for hermit crabs, it ensures that your pets receive a consistent and balanced diet every day.
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Hermit Crabs, what do the eat?
FAQ
How much food do you give a hermit crab?
Are hermit crabs expensive to take care of?
Hermit crabs are generally considered inexpensive to care for, especially compared to other common pets. Initial costs for supplies and the crab itself can be around $100-$200, with monthly expenses for food and supplies averaging $15-$20.
Does Walmart sell hermit crab food?
Wardley Hermit Crab Premium Food, 0.4 oz – Walmart.com.
What is the best food for hermit crabs?
Hermit crabs thrive on diverse food, so try to add a different three to five ingredients to each mix you make. Each mix should include grain, animal protein, fat (seeds and nuts), and maybe some calcium. Sweet things like dried fruit are a bonus for your crabs and should be used sparingly.
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.
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 do blueberry hermit crabs cost?
For example, land-dwelling blueberry hermit crabs cost around $25. However, buying a dozen in bulk costs $240 or around $20 each. This is usually the case at chain pet stores like Petco. Choose your vendor wisely, staying away from pet stores that don’t take good care of their hermit crabs.
How to feed a hermit crab?
Feeding your new hermit crab is an essential task to ensure that your crab is happy and healthy. Feeding a hermit crab may prove to be easy enough, although it is a surprisingly multi-faceted process. Take care to provide the proper foods and correct type of water for your little friend’s crabitat.
How much does it cost to sand a hermit crab?
Sand helps hermit crabs modify their body temperature, molt, and burrow when frightened. Playground and aquarium sand can work. Opt for larger grains, as fine sand can get stuck in a hermit crab’s shell, leading to irritation. Substrates cost between $2.50 and $36, depending on the kind you choose.
Should you buy a hermit crab?
Hermit crabs are often considered to be convenient because they don’t take up a lot of room. It’s likely that your home is big enough to fit a hermit crab habitat. If these pets sound good to you, it’s fine to go ahead and buy some. Remember that you must buy at least two hermit crabs. Hermit crabs need to be kept in pairs or groups.