Foods Rich in Minerals Crabs Require

Julia_Crab · Post by **Julia_Crab** » 28 Dec 2004, 16:30

I’ve been doing a lot of reading of several research papers I recently acquired. Basically, I’ve been taking a crash course in crustacean biology. One of the recurring themes of all the papers that address molting is that crabs require copper, zinc and calcium in their diets in order to perform molting successfully, and to remain healthy.

Commercial foods do add these minerals, but one of the minerals used most often to boost copper content of a food, copper sulfate, is part of an extremely powerful organic gardening fungicide/insecticide, Bordeaux mixture (see http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/coppersu.htm for the data sheet on this substance). Copper sulfate is a particularly poisonous form of the required metal, so I avoid foods that add that form of copper. My feeling on the addition of any laboratory produced or mined minerals is that they are inferior in all ways to minerals acquired through diet.

What is a crabber then to do? I prefer to offer my crabs organic, human-grade foods. I looked around a bit to find a list of crab-friendly foods that can be offered to boost calcium, zinc, and copper, respectively.

Copper-Rich Foods:

Cereals, especially wheat and rye
Chickpeas and other legumes such as beans
Fish
Liver
Meat
Most nuts (especially brazil and cashew nuts, pecans and peanuts)
Oysters
Peaches
Raisins
Seeds (especially poppy and sunflower)

Zinc Rich Foods:

Corn
Cucumber
Egg yolk
Haddock
Lamb
Legumes
Lentils
Lettuce
Nuts
Olive Oil
Peas
Pork chops
Sardines
Spinach
Tuna
Whole grains

Calcium-Rich Foods

Broccoli
Canned salmon with bones
Dried beans and peas
Greens
Sardines

However, many of the leafy green vegetables contain enzymes called oxalates which can bind with calcium, preventing its absorption. To inactivate these enzymes, the greens must be cooked before serving. Be sure to use dechlorinated water!

And, the top food to feed one’s crabs for these minerals and other absolutely necessary nutrients, is sea vegetable, the macroalgaes (seaweed) and the microalgaes (spirulina, etc.).

Kerie

Post by **Wai** » 29 Dec 2004, 01:55

The list is fantastic! Future crabbers will most certainly find the list very useful

bennynlewie · Post by **bennynlewie** » 05 Apr 2005, 10:04

dont forget egg shells with calcium

lilhermitgirl17 · Post by **lilhermitgirl17** » 06 Apr 2005, 07:25

Awsome! i'm always looking for new things that I can give my hermies to make them more heathy. and I have a molter right now. I'm always digging around in my pantry and fridge looking for stuff to give them, and If i'm not sure, I don't give it to them. There are some foods on your list that I wasn't sure about. Thanks bunches!!!!

bennynlewie · Post by **bennynlewie** » 06 Apr 2005, 08:34

welcome

Jaci · Post by **Jaci** » 26 Apr 2006, 07:24

so should all those foods be cooked first, all in dechlorinated water? minus the obvious ones that can't be cooked.

hermiesrokmysox · Post by **hermiesrokmysox** » 08 May 2006, 08:21

thanks Julia_Crab! very helpful, I am printing it off and adding it to my hermie food list from your site

krabby_katie · Post by **krabby_katie** » 02 Jun 2008, 00:56

Thank you so much! I'm going to print this out and stick it on my fridge!

beledi · Post by **beledi** » 02 Aug 2008, 04:26

Jaci wrote:so should all those foods be cooked first, all in dechlorinated water? minus the obvious ones that can't be cooked.

I also have the same question.

Mr.Crab · Post by **Mr.Crab** » 06 Aug 2008, 13:06

very nice

Foods Rich in Minerals Crabs Require

Foods Rich in Minerals Crabs Require

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