Calcium Crunchies

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anniehorsekrab
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Calcium Crunchies

Post by anniehorsekrab »

Hello everyone lucky enough to have successfully logged onto HERMIT CRAB PARADISE! :P

So, here's the thing: I'm watching over Caylie's crabs (again) and she gave me this thing called a "Calcium Crunchie." They come in the shape of a bucket and a pail, about the size of a half dollar coin. Caylie has the shovel and she gave me the pail. The shovel is blue and the pail is pink. The company it's from is called "Super Pet." I'll read to you the ingrediants on the label:


GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
Calcium (Min).................45%
Phosphorous (Min)............0.015%
Salt (Min).......................0.6%

Ingrediants:
Calcium, Salt, edible colors & natural flavor.

By edible colors I'm assuming they mean food coloring, but I'm not sure. Do you guys think it's safe? I gave some to my hermies and they LOOOVED it.

Is it safe? :(

Picture:
bucket.JPG
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~Annie

(and Mr. Krabs, Your Shyness, Scooter, Mr. Krabs Jr, Zipper, and Beechie of course!)
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emmac350
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Re: Calcium Crunchies

Post by emmac350 »

I would hesitate personally about offering that. I have only found one website that even sells it and it doesn't have any user reviews or information about the actual ingredients used - i.e. what kind of salt? What kind of coloring? What's the "natural flavor"?

The thing is, the salt could be a non crab safe kind, just like the salt used in the "hermit crab salt water conditioner" or the "hermit crab glub" salt water stuff. The colorings may be human-edible, but that doesn't guarantee anything about crab-edible properties. It's the same way with the paint on painted shells - the paint is non-toxic for humans, not for crabs, but they still market it that way. The natural flavor may not be safe - there are plenty of "natural" things out there that aren't safe. Just look at the Epicurean Hermit Unsafe Foods list if you don't believe me.

Your crabs do seem to be enjoying it, but I'd recommend taking it back out for a week or two, then reintroduce it for a day or two and take it out again to observe any bad side effects on your crabs just like the EH site does for their food trials. If your crabs are that into it, maybe you should buy them a cuttlebone from the bird section of a pet store. It's the natural version of the little pail. If you want, you can even crush up some crab-safe berries (like strawberries) and soak the cuttlebone in their juice so it's flavored for your crabs!
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Jedi_Sena
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Re: Calcium Crunchies

Post by Jedi_Sena »

It is probably acceptable, but even natural flavors can be harmful. Garlic is a crab no-no, but lots of commercial crab food use garlic to give their food an attractive pungent smell. "Natural" doesn't always mean "crab-safe." How do your crabs behave with other sources of calcium in comparison? There may be a calcium source that you can offer that will get just as much attention that you can be a bit more certain about.
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anniehorsekrab
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Re: Calcium Crunchies

Post by anniehorsekrab »

Wow Emma, that's a GREAT idea! Take it out, see if any side-effects are taking place! If there was a "hug" emoticon, I would be using it right now! :P
~Annie

(and Mr. Krabs, Your Shyness, Scooter, Mr. Krabs Jr, Zipper, and Beechie of course!)
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ladybug15057
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Re: Calcium Crunchies

Post by ladybug15057 »

I would personally not give it due to the fact of there being coloring in it. A few years ago I did some research due to a substrate I was using and the coloring added to it. Come to find more than what I thought I would about colorings and dyes used. The real safety actually is NOT known even for human consumption. About 1/2 down this link read what is in red.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)

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anniehorsekrab
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Re: Calcium Crunchies

Post by anniehorsekrab »

yeah, I was concerned about the dye too. Thanks Marie.
~Annie

(and Mr. Krabs, Your Shyness, Scooter, Mr. Krabs Jr, Zipper, and Beechie of course!)
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anniehorsekrab
Zoea I
Zoea I
Posts: 150
Joined: 29 May 2009, 06:18
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Hermit crabs: 6
Total gallons: 15
Total tanks: 2

Re: Calcium Crunchies

Post by anniehorsekrab »

Okay, well, I took it out and I let them be for about a week, and I don't see any side effects, so do you think it's safe? :S
~Annie

(and Mr. Krabs, Your Shyness, Scooter, Mr. Krabs Jr, Zipper, and Beechie of course!)
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