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emmac350
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« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2009, 03:43:39 PM » |
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It's totally possible, if only because commercial foods don't address many crab needs. On top of that, crabs are less likely to eat commercial pelleted type food because it's not what they're used to in the wild. It isn't normal for them to go to a single food for all their nutritional needs and besides, they don't like eating the same thing day after day (I wouldn't either!). Making your own dry foods is good so you can give them variety even within a single mix because not every spoonful will be the same. My suggestions for types of foods to include:
1. Chitinous protein - dried baby/river/whatever shrimp, bloodworms, mealworms, silkworms, plankton, crickets, krill, etc. They can use the chitin and calcium in their exos, and especially with the sea creatures, they are a source of zeaxanthin, which is a hormone necessary for our crabs to survive molts and to have good coloring (which isn't found in any commercial food).
2. Non-chitinous protein - dried silversides, chicken, turkey, beef, anchovies, pork, etc. Good for getting ready for molts.
3. Fruits - coloring compounds, natural sugars, vitamins, minerals. Enough said!
4. Veggies - same as above. Peppers (especially orange and red bell peppers) are good sources of zeaxanthin, which makes them excellent foods to offer!
5. Nuts and seeds and grains - these are essential for the oils and healthy fats they provide. Walnuts, sesame seeds, peanuts, macademia nuts, pecans, etc. These are always a hit in my tank - the crabs love to play "find the walnut" with me...organic granola (no cinnamon or sugars/spices), rolled oats, Amish 7 grain oatmeal, etc.
6. Flowers - there's a list on here with a bunch of safe flowers, pretty much all of which are available at the Addiction store or for you to grow yourself. These contain cellulose (for building exos) and more coloring compounds (to include tannins) and are always a hit in my tank (especially the calendula for some reason).
7. Calcium - crushed eggshell, coral, sea biscuits, oyster shell, shrimp tails/exos (buy the peel them yourself shrimp and save their exos; put in a mug or a bowl, cover with water, microwave until they turn pink, then dry them in a dehydrator), calci-sand, cuttlebone/cuttlebone treats from the Addiction store, etc.
8. Seaweed/algae - these are natural things that crabs find in their normal wild habitats. Spirulina powder, kelp, sea lettuce, Irish moss, Dulse, etc. These are surprisingly high in protein along with other vitamins and minerals.
9. Cellulose - dandelion root/leaves, corn husks, mangrove, oak/maple leaves, clovers, oak bark, strawberry leaves, raspberry leaves, etc.
10. "Other" - worm castings, crab-safe edible salts (pink himalayan salt, etc.), maybe some Multi-Flake or Color Bright flakes, bee pollen or honey granules, etc.
Those are the groups that I offer my crabs daily. I have a fishing tackle box organized into those groups and I keep my little baggies in there and I have them in order so I offer the first one from the section then put it at the back to keep giving them variety. I've had TONS of molts since I got organized with my food offerings. It keeps giving them the variety they need as well as the nutrition they need.
I'd love to hear how it goes for you!
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