Hermit crabs may refuse to eat or drink due to stress, being fed the same foods, a lack of saltwater (muting their sense of smell), excessive noise, and disturbances. Hermit crabs can go for 3-14 days without eating food and drinking water. They store water in their shells so that they can moisten their gills.

Is it normal for hermit crabs to not eat?

Re: Not eating or drinking

Crabs aren't really a usual pet in terms of knowing if they do eat or drink since they consume very little of either! As long as they are alive, then they are eating/drinking. (New crabs also need to adjust to the tank, so give them some time as well!)

How long can hermit crabs go without eating?

How much do hermit crabs eat? They do eat but very little and can go several days up to two weeks without food. They store water in the back of their shell for moisture for their gills. It is always a good idea to leave food and water.

How do you get hermit crabs to eat?

Well-balanced hermit crab diet consists of:

1. High-quality commercial hermit crab food.
2. Recommend vegetables (spinach, carrots and romaine lettuce) and noncitrus fruits (mangoes, coconut and papaya) as treats.
3. Nuts, seaweed, brine shrimp and fish flakes can also be offered as treats.

How do u know when a hermit crab is dying?

A dead crab will become rigid and loose in its shell. If you shake the shell, the crab will fall out. If you suspect your hermit crab is dead, give the shell a shake to see if the crab falls out.

Why Your Hermit Crab isn’t Eating or Drinking

23 related questions found

How do you destress a hermit crab?

Place a very small amount of sand in the tank, not enough for the crabs to burrow in. Leave the crabs alone except to change food and water. This will allow the crab to relax, destress and get enough to eat and drink.

How do I know if my hermit crab is stressed?

Common warning signs that hermit crabs are stressed include:

1. Shedding of limbs. ...
2. Hiding constantly, whether within the shell or buried under the substrate.
3. Refusing to eat, drink, or bathe.
4. Unprovoked aggression, whether toward other tankmates or owners.
5. Constantly climbing tank walls, as though attempting to escape.

How do you dehydrate food for hermit crabs?

You can use a dehydrator or use an oven. I personally have had success drying things in the oven before. I leave the door cracked and set the temperature as low as I can get it, let it go for awhile and check up on things occasionally (it can take several hours.)

How can I make my hermit crab happy?

Gently bathe or "mist" your hermit crabs with a spray bottle filled with clean water. They'll enjoy the water and may become more active. Hermit crabs generally like warm, moist environments with a relative humidity of 70%, so give them that tropical environment they are used to.

How often do hermit crabs eat?

Your crab is a little creature, so there is no need to feed them multiple times a day. Feed your crab once daily in order to keep the fruits and veggies fresh. Foods like wood will last considerably longer, so change the wood when you see it gets slimy, old, or otherwise unappetizing.

Why is my crab not eating?

Hermit crabs may refuse to eat or drink due to stress, being fed the same foods, a lack of saltwater (muting their sense of smell), excessive noise, and disturbances. Hermit crabs can go for 3-14 days without eating food and drinking water. They store water in their shells so that they can moisten their gills.

What should hermit crabs not eat?

In general, avoid onion, garlic and citrus. When picking any kind of dried meat it is critical to look at the ingredient list for a pesticide called Ethoxyquin. It is a common preservative in many commercial hermit crab and fish foods and is poisonous to your crabs.

Do hermit crabs have to be in salt water?

Hermit crabs require both freshwater and saltwater water sources to survive. Saltwater should be made using sea salt sold for marine fish and crustaceans. ... The water dishes should be big enough for your hermit crabs to submerge themselves in, but not so deep that they can drown.

What is a hermit crabs favorite food?

Nuts, applesauce, raisins, trail mix, peanut butter, honey, cooked egg, cereal, crackers, washed grass, and popcorn are some of the miscellaneous favorites people have reported their crabs enjoying. Some people notice their crabs are partial to 'junk food' such a corn chips, sugary cereals and pretzels.

How often do crabs need to eat?

A dry commercial hermit crab flake or pellet can be used as the primary source of food. Fresh fruits and vegetables such as apple, carrot, kale and banana should be offered 2-3 times per week.

Does hermit crabs need light?

Crabs need a 12 hour simulated day and night cycle. Much like our bodies, theirs need these cues to operate properly- especially with molting. So hermit crabs should be exposed to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.

Do hermit crabs sleep a lot?

Hermit crabs are nocturnal and will sleep throughout most of the day. Choose an aquarium with a glass cover for your hermit crabs to live in. ... Hermit crabs require humidity of around 50-70%. They need this to keep their gills moist and to breathe properly.

Why is my hermit crab moving slowly?

If your hermit crab isn't moving around much, the water in its habitat or even toxic paint on its shell could be killing it. ... Make sure your hermit crab is moving regularly and not hanging out of its shell, which can be a signal that it is dying. Remember that lack of movement can also signal molting.

What kind of toys do hermit crabs like?

The best toys for a hermit crab will be a climbing branch, a climbing net, a piece of bark, and strings of rope. You can match that to different terrains using rocks, plastic building blocks, and clay pots. Hermies will enjoy traversing and poking at different textures.

Can hermit crabs eat eggs?

Egg and raw meat, while more in keeping with what the crabs would eat in the wild, need to be handled carefully, and cleaned up after promptly. ... Pulverize some of the egg shell and be sure to include it as well. Egg can also be hard boiled and offered with a little sea salt, or chopped into some other food.

Can hermit crabs eat baby food?

The Hermit Crab Patch notes that baby food is popular, particularly fruit flavors such as fruit medley, apples and bananas, mango fruit, guava fruit, sweet corn casserole, sweet potatoes and apples and applesauce.

Can hermit crabs eat rice?

Rice is safe for hermit crabs to eat. There are no toxic or dangerous properties in this grain, and it's full of healthy nutrients. ... Uncooked rice will contain the most vitamins and minerals, and hermits will enjoy the taste. Rice comes in many forms, so you can keep your hermits from getting bored with their meals.

What color is a dead hermit crab?

In a molting crab you will notice a white exoskeleton. But if your hermit crab appears to be gray in color, it could be a sign that it's dead.

How long does it take for hermit crabs to destress?

Generally most crabs will be down for 6-8 weeks, but some will molt much more quickly and others may be down for four months or more and still be perfectly fine. I've never found my new crabs to have destressing periods and instead they simply molt right away.

What causes stress to hermit crabs?

For hermits, a common cause of stress is dramatic changes in temperature or humidity. Too much stress can lead to serious health conditions, so it is important to watch them closely for any signs of deterioration.