Vegetarian Hermit Crabs

[AceofCrabs]

My Hermit Crabs are not vegetarian, they get turkey, and other meats too. I am a vegetarian myself but what about vegetarian Hermit Crabs? Would it work for my little guys? There diet consists of mostly fresh fruits and veggies, sometimes some cereal and the rest meat or something with meat in it. Could a Hermit Crab live a healthy life with no meat at all?

[Wai]

Hermit crabs are unlikely to remain healthy if meat is excluded from their diet. They have an omnivorous diet in the wild.

[Hermie's rule]

I definitely agree with Wai. A meat deficiency can lead to cannibalism of other hemies, especially the molters. On a hermit crab food pyramid, meat forms 50% of their natural diet. It's very good for them and is packed with vitamins and minerals and proteins. Protein is the building block on which cells use to repair, replace, and just grow themselves. If that is lacking, neither you nor the hermies will be able to function properly.

[AceofCrabs]

Okay, I get my protein from eggs and substitutes but I don't think my Hermies can eat that stuff. Okay thanks guys.

[Wai]

Hermit crabs can eat eggs. Just make sure that they haven't been treated with any nasty chemicals. Egg shells are also a good source of protein and calcium for them.

You can try giving your hermit crabs spirulina and dried shrimp. I use the two as a substitute for commercial hermit crab food. I then add a "treat" for the day, such as a piece of grape, coconut, mango, leaf etc.

[AceofCrabs]

Well, shrimp I must point out is not Vegetarian.
Anyway, I decided to keep them on there meat and other things diet:D

[vckums]

You need to feed the crabs meat, if you don't the chance of cannibalism is high. Even if you don't eat it, you must know people who do. Ask them to save a quarter size piece(no spices) for you. You can keep them in the freezer and defrost one at a time.