Saltwater Marine Crab Diet
Saltwater marine crabs like the white speckled hermit crab (Paguristes puncticeps) and emerald crab (Mithraculus sculptus) are opportunistic feeders and scavengers. Yet, while they are very fond of sifting through the sandy substrate, sucking the nutrients out of them as a source of calcium, similar to us human beings, they need a well-balanced diet of protein and vegetables, in between.
My white speckled hermit crab and emerald crabs continuously graze on the live rock covered with green hair algae. They pick at every morsel with their claws, lifting up very small portions to their mouths to feed on them. When they aren’t grazing on the live rock, they scuttle across the floor of the aquarium to feed on the sand.
The following is a list of foods I introduce into the aquarium, to provide a balanced diet for them, keeping them on a consistent rotation:
1.
Key West Pink Shrimp (raw and thawed)
Feed Schedule:
One to two times a week, I feed half a wild-caught Key West pink shrimp piece to my white speckled hermit crab. During feeding, small pieces of the shrimp will scatter across the substrate. It is these leftovers that the emerald crabs manage to consume.
Comments:
As much as I prefer to feed my crabs fresh seafood, fresh seafood decays much faster than pellets.
2.
ProSalt Frozen Prawns (thawed)
Feed Schedule:
Every other week, I feed one piece of prawn to my white speckled hermit crab.
Comments:
My white speckled hermit crab isn’t too fond of the prawns as compared to the shrimp, but will eat them when hand-fed.
3.
Omega One Shrimp Sinking Pellets
Feed Schedule:
This has become the primary food I give my crabs because they’re small enough to be consumed relatively quickly (so as not to leave leftovers which will then foul-up the aquarium), and are also small enough for the emerald crabs’ claws to grasp.
Comments:
The only brand I would pick to feed my crabs pellet food is Omega One. Omega One’s first ingredient for their Shrimp Pellets for example, is “salmon,” unlike the majority of other invertebrate and fish food manufacturers which is fish meal — a pulverized mix of bycatch and byproducts. Just as healthy eating habits influence’s one’s choice to select a diet of foods in their most natural state as much as possible, the same thinking should apply to your pets as well. Pellets are also a great way to provide supplemental vitamins and nutrition to the crabs.
Both my white speckled hermit crab and one of my emerald crabs are immediately excited even with the scent of Omega One shrimp pellets, flailing their claws in joy, as they try to grasp the pellet. One of my emerald crabs however, doesn’t seem to like pellets and only likes to graze on the green hair algae on the live rock. Regardless, I still leave a pellet within its proximity, and leave it be to consume on its own, because protein is necessary for a crab’s overall health.
4.
Omega One Super Veggie Green Seaweed
Feed Schedule:
Once every two weeks, I break off about a 2-inch strip of seaweed and hand it directly to my white speckled hermit crab, making sure to add a weight like a small stone, coral, or a clamshell for example, to hold it down in the water (otherwise the strip will float to the top of the water!). The rest of the seaweed that scatters in pieces around the substrate, are the perfect size for the emerald crabs to feast on.
Comments:
Do not feed your crabs any seasoned seaweed. I always go for Omega One Green Seaweed.
5.
Omega One Sinking Veggie Rounds
Feed Schedule:
I alternate Omega One Veggie Rounds tablets with the Omega One Shrimp Sinking Pellets and the Key West Pink Shrimp.
Comments:
Omega One’s Veggie Rounds are perfect for algae grazers. They immediately recognize the tablets when presented with them.
As much as my crabs happily graze on the live rock’s green hair algae, I prefer not to deplete the supply of green hair algae, so my crabs will always have something to feast on in between feedings, or if I leave the house. [Note: I plan on buying an automatic feeder soon, and will detail my experiences with it, at some point in time.]