Are Hermit Crabs Omnivores: Feeding Tips and Tricks

Hermit crabs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Therefore, a balanced diet of plant and animal matter is ideal for most hermit crabs; however, some hermit crabs (e.g., Caribbean hermit crabs) may primarily consume meat. 

Provide your hermit crab with the best possible diet, including plant and animal matter in their meals. Also, keep your hermit crab clean and free from parasites. As for exercise, most hermit crabs do not need such – a little area inside their home that they can crawl around is usually enough.

Are Hermit Crabs Carnivores or Herbivores?

It’s a common misconception that hermit crabs are carnivores. In reality, hermit crabs are omnivores – they primarily eat meat but enjoy items like fruits and vegetables. This means there’s no need to worry about what you feed them – they can digest meat and plant-based food. 

Also, hermit crabs can store food for long periods, so there’s no need to feed them constantly. As long as they’re getting the nutrients they need, hermit crabs are happy omnivores!

Picking a Balanced Diet for Hermit Crabs

A hermit crab’s diet should include fresh vegetables, fruit, and high-quality wet food. The best way to ensure a balanced diet is to play with your pet crab daily and give them plenty of love and attention. Feed them fresh vegetables and fruit daily, and rotate their food, so they don’t get bored of the same thing. 

It is also essential to ensure they have access to clean water and fresh food – if they don’t, they’ll likely become malnourished and won’t be as active as they should be. If your hermit crab isn’t eating or seems sluggish, give it a small treat of meat to get it going again.

What Hermit Crabs Eat

Since hermit crabs are omnivores, they’ll eat anything available in their tank – even if it’s something unusual. So, for example, if you have a hermit crab in your tank, give it food that matches its natural diet. This means providing them with crustaceans, mollusks, and insects. 

In the wild, hermit crabs will scavenge for food, so make sure to include items like food scraps and empty pet food containers in their diet. Hermit crabs’ natural dietary habits consist of consuming mostly small crustaceans and algae but will also eat worms, insects, and other things found in their environment. They are omnivores and can survive on a variety of different foods. Hermit crabs are scavengers, so they’ll eat anything available – even if it’s something you wouldn’t expect!

Can Hermit Crabs Eat Raw Meat?

Most hermit crab owners feed live food, such as crickets and worms. However, ensure that the food you choose is safe for them and appropriate for their crab species. Some great options for live food include earthworms, crickets, and mealworms. If providing raw meat is not an option, many people recommend feeding them primarily vegetables.

Healthy Food for Hermit Crabs

A hermit crab needs plenty of food to survive, so make sure to provide it. This can be in the form of small dead animals, fresh vegetables, or even bits of cooked meat. Hermit crab owners should also provide a variety of plant matter for the crab to scavenge from, such as fresh flowers, leafy greens, or fruit.

Are There Dangerous Things My Hermit Crab Could Be Eating While on Its Own?

Yes, hermit crabs can eat some dangerous things while on their own. However, with a good food supply of nutritious foods like crustaceans, worms, and insects, your crab will be just fine. 

Remember that hermit crabs are scavengers, so they’ll eat dead or decaying animals. So it’s essential to give them access to fresh water and a good food supply to ensure they get the nutrients they need.

Hermit Crabs’ Primarily Carnivorous Diet

Hermit crabs are omnivores, meaning they can consume animal and vegetable-based food. However, some experts believe that hermit crabs may not be true omnivores, as their diet is predominately animal-based. Hermit crabs are primarily scavengers and feed on animals that have been molted or shed – usually meaty items. 

Hermit crabs can also get very run down and need to feed on plant material, inadvertently consuming some vegetation. So, while hermit crabs are omnivores, it’s important to remember that their diet is primarily carnivorous.

Are Hermit Crabs Decomposers?

Many people think of hermit crabs as decomposers because their claws are used to catch and kill prey. However, hermit crabs are not true decomposers – they rely primarily on hunting for food. Instead, their diet is mainly made up of seawater and prey items. Hermit crabs typically consume only small amounts of organic matter. 

How to Feed Hermit Crabs?

To feed your hermit crab, provide a varied and nutritious diet of fresh seafood, insects, worms, and other types of prey. Crustaceans (such as shrimp), seaweed dishes such as nori rolls, or seaweed salads are good choices for hermit crabs because they contain high levels of nutrients. Hermit crabs also enjoy other plant-based items like fruits and vegetables.

Before feeding your hermit crab, rinse and soak any seafood in water for at least two hours. Be careful not to overfeed your crab; they can easily overeat if given too much food.