QuestionWe have our 3 crabs in an aquarium, with sand and some accessories. We provide them with a coconut shell cut in half for shelter. Lately, they have been spending a lot of time gong from their water dish to perching atop the coconut shell. The coconut shell is getting quite wet and the crabs now appear to be eating fiber from the shell. Is this normal? Do they need some additional food? (We provide them with crab pellets, crab cookies and crab fruit powder. Thanks.
AnswerWell, first of all, the cocohut thing is totally normal. Aren't they kooky?
As for foods, generally a crab has much more complex food needs than can be satisfied with commercial diets no matter what they tell you in the store. And they can eat all sorts of things. Just make sure that the foods are organic.
You can even go in your backyard right now and (as long as you don't spray pesticides) get some rose leaves and rose petals, dandelions, clover and clover flower, violets and honeysuckle. All crab favorites. They also needs algaes and seaweeds, and proteins are very important. Try giving them an egg yolk from a hard boiled egg, some popcorn, or a bit of oatmeal mixed with peanut butter.
http://www.thehappyhermitcrab.com is where I buy all my foods. My crabs love them. And the owner makes all of her foods right in the kitchen, which is important.
