Marine hermit crabs have enormous appetites and are relatively sloppy eaters, although they'll spend a good portion of their time cleaning up their food messes!
Pea-sized marine hermit crabs can live comfortably in any saltwater tank, feasting on algae and food particles not seen by fishes.
However, golf-ball sized and larger marine hermit crabs can be destructive eaters. They will shred expensive sea plants and damage pricey corals. Their appetites are considerable, and if you feed them as often as they'd like to be fed, your aquarium water is sure to polluted quickly.
You have three options when it comes to feeding marine hermit crabs. One method is to ignore their feeding altogether. The hermit crabs will then rely on eating plants, algae, uneaten fish food, and fish waste. This method is only suitable for small hermit crabs that live within a large tank that has other inhabitants.
The second method is to individually feed each hermit crab while they are in your saltwater tank. This can be done by using 12-inch plastic tweezers. Individual feeding ensures that each crab is well-fed and that excessive food debris is not produced. This method is suitable for large and small crabs, but must be done very carefully so as to not produce too much organic waste which can turn into toxic ammonia within your tank.
I have found that the best way to feed marine hermit crabs is one which I developed uniquely. First, I wash my hands thoroughly (without soap). Then I unplug all aquarium electrical equipment to avoid electrical shock. Next, I quickly remove the crabs from my main tank, placing them in a large Tupperware container filled with saltwater. There I can feed them bits of chicken, turkey, earthworms, lettuce, and even commerical land hermit crab pellets. After an hour or two, this water is likely to be clouded with organic waste, so I simply remove the crabs and return them to their regular tank and discard the cloudy water.
It cannot be overstated how necessary it is that you UNPLUG ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT before placing your hands in the tank. Secondly, make certain that there are no other creatures within the tank that can bite or sting your hand. Finally, never place your hand or arm into the saltwater unless your hand has been thoroughly washed WITHOUT soap, since soap residue can poison the inhabitants of your tank.
Pea-sized marine hermit crabs can live comfortably in any saltwater tank, feasting on algae and food particles not seen by fishes.
However, golf-ball sized and larger marine hermit crabs can be destructive eaters. They will shred expensive sea plants and damage pricey corals. Their appetites are considerable, and if you feed them as often as they'd like to be fed, your aquarium water is sure to polluted quickly.
You have three options when it comes to feeding marine hermit crabs. One method is to ignore their feeding altogether. The hermit crabs will then rely on eating plants, algae, uneaten fish food, and fish waste. This method is only suitable for small hermit crabs that live within a large tank that has other inhabitants.
The second method is to individually feed each hermit crab while they are in your saltwater tank. This can be done by using 12-inch plastic tweezers. Individual feeding ensures that each crab is well-fed and that excessive food debris is not produced. This method is suitable for large and small crabs, but must be done very carefully so as to not produce too much organic waste which can turn into toxic ammonia within your tank.
I have found that the best way to feed marine hermit crabs is one which I developed uniquely. First, I wash my hands thoroughly (without soap). Then I unplug all aquarium electrical equipment to avoid electrical shock. Next, I quickly remove the crabs from my main tank, placing them in a large Tupperware container filled with saltwater. There I can feed them bits of chicken, turkey, earthworms, lettuce, and even commerical land hermit crab pellets. After an hour or two, this water is likely to be clouded with organic waste, so I simply remove the crabs and return them to their regular tank and discard the cloudy water.
It cannot be overstated how necessary it is that you UNPLUG ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT before placing your hands in the tank. Secondly, make certain that there are no other creatures within the tank that can bite or sting your hand. Finally, never place your hand or arm into the saltwater unless your hand has been thoroughly washed WITHOUT soap, since soap residue can poison the inhabitants of your tank.
