What Do Hermit Crabs Eat? An Introduction to Their Daily Diet and Feeding Methods

Hermit crabs often live inside the shells of dead mollusks to protect their soft abdomens. More than 500 species of hermit crabs exist in the world today. The vast majority live in water, while a few live on land. Some hermit crabs no longer live inside shells but have instead developed a hard shell similar to that of a crab; these are also called hard-shell hermit crabs, and the famous coconut crab belongs to this group.

What do hermit crabs eat? Hermit crabs have very broad feeding habits and are omnivorous animals. They are known as the scavengers of the seaside, eating everything from algae and food scraps to parasites. For home fish keepers, placing one or two hermit crabs in an aquarium will serve as a cleaner.

The hermit crab's diet

1. Fruits: apple, coconut meat, mango, pear, honeydew melon, dragon fruit, persimmon, watermelon, banana, peach.

2. Vegetables: carrot (cooked), moss, white radish (cooked), cabbage, potato, tomato, sweet potato, aquatic plants, spinach.

3. Meats: minced fish, clam meat or small shrimp meat, etc., crab stick (cooked), fish meat, canned dog food, chicken sausage (for dogs), chicken meat and chicken bones, sausage (cooked).

4. Others: popcorn, cooked shrimp (with shell), bread, rock salt, white rice, crackers, eggshell, honey, mushroom, dried grilled fish (for dogs).

5. Omnivorous: except acidic foods and dairy products.