Seaweed?

[lilhermitgirl17]

I noticed on one of the posts that you recommend seaweed, and that it is important. What kind? Where would I find it? and how do I feed it?(wet, dry, once a week, with other food, ect) I really want my hermit crabs to be happy, and as heathy as I can keep them.

[Julia_Crab]

It's true, your crabs need seaweed. Any kind of seaweed you can get your hands on, they will use to best advantage, as it's the basis of their diet in the wild.

I suggest you look in Asian groceries, or the Asian food section of your supermarket, or a health food store, which is where I get mine. Make sure the label says it only contains seaweed. If you can, get a selection of them, to rotate them so the crabs don't get bored -- they prefer to eat new foods every time, rather than the same ones. Nori, wakame, dulse are the commonest and easiest to find. You can also get microalgaes such as spirulina (in powder form from the health food store) as it's about the most nutritious single food you can feed your crabs. As a powder, it can be sprinkled on tuna or other meats, or mixed with fruit or honey or other treats. They need algaes in their diet in order to remain healthy.

Personally, I only feed my crabs organic human grade treats, as there are problems with pesticides being used in sea foods meant for the pet trade, and any added chemicals or human salt will be bad for your crabs.

You can tear dry sea weed up into little chunks, and give it to them in their dry food dish, or you can mix the dry sea weed with a little bit of warmed ocean water until it's soft, and then chop it up and mix it with a little calcium powder. It's nasty, but they love it.

Kerie

[Wai]

Be very careful when you shop in Asian groceries for seaweed. Make sure they don't contain preservatives or too much salt, as most of them do.

[lilhermitgirl17]

Ok, thanks!