how much do crabs eat

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I got some marine crabs from the ocean three months ago, one is about the size of a walnut(his shell) and the other 2/3 that size. I currently feed them two crab pellets each day, not the round ones but the ones that are about 1/2 centimeter long. They have molted a few times as I find their shells. I originally had three crabs but one dissapeared (probably died and got lost in my live rock).
thank you

ANSWER: Rebecca,      Try to feed them in the same place all the time and watch for the little mounds of leftover pellet. Adjust accordingly. Try feeding abit more at a time. See if you can get them growing abit faster. The one died and the others probably ate him. If you would send me a picture of them or one of them so I can see what kind of crab they are I can give you a better idea of diet. Are they living in a reef tank? Good Luck,Tina


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tina,
Well I tried to take a picture but my camera is lousy. They have off white legs with 2-3 light brown stripes on each ( stripes are like on a candy cane). I cannot really do as you suggested as there are four other fish in the tank who eat the crab pellots if the crabs do not. It is not a reef tank, but I have lots of live rock and fake anemones, corals, etc. If I can get a better pic then I will surely send it! Oh, sometimes I feed tiny pieces of meat (turkey or chicken) and also packaged seaweed.

Answer
Hi Rebecca,       I think what you have are Asian Shore Crabs. They are abundant on the east coast though not indigenous. They are crabs and are scavengers. You can feed them almost anything. No red or raw meat. Here is a picture of them. I hope ...lol As long as you have no left overs at the bottom of the tank you are fine.   http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Nonindigenous_Species/Asian_shore_crab/shorecrab1a.jp , Tina