No Canned Foods??

[Onyxsun1]

Hello All,

I was just reading some of the old postings and noticed that someone had listed canned salmon with bones. Then in another listing I noticed that someone said that we should not give anything that is canned EVER. So with the conflicting postings who is right and who is wrong? I'm not trying to stir up trouble I would just like some clarification. I would love to give my crabs some salmon. Is there another way other than going fresh from the meat market or is some canned food in moderation ok?
Also is tuna in a foil pouch the same as canned? How about babyfood meat. What preservatives should we watch out for as far as babyfood meat that wouldnt be good for our crabbies.

Thanks for your time and attention to these questions.

Kathy........
http://photos.yahoo.com/onyxsun1

[Wai]

There must have been some confusion there. Never give your crabs any canned food, it has contacted with metal and there may be particles in the food. It might even rist if the food wasn't packed properly. Stick with fresh food (natural is better!)

[Hannah]

Yes, hermit crabs are very sensitive to metal, I amnot even sure that foil is okay, as it is a type of meatl.

[Jedi_Sena]

Probably the oldest crabs in captivity (30 this year) are fed occasionally vienna sausages from a can. After getting some clarification from Julia_crab I fed canned waterchestnuts which were a big hit and the crabs suffered no adverse affects. Canned food is a poor choice, on the order of fruit loops cereal. The clarification really lies in the concept of what "occasional" means to different people and it is hard to tell what portions individuals are feeding. It is safer to say absolutely no do not ever feed canned food because it definitely contains some metals, but the amount depends largely on the acidity of the food product. Besides that, canned foods are laced w/ salts and additives that are also harmful. So, if you are a better-safe-than-sorry kind of crabkeeper, then, no do not feed canned food. If "occassionally" means "once a week" to you, then no do not feed canned food. I personally feel safe feeding some low-acid foods from a can once or twice per year in tiny amounts. Since that one feeding, I have found a stirfry veggie mix that contains waterchestnuts in the frozen food section of the grocery so I eliminated the temptation to feed that particular canned food. If your crabs have a healthy diet, then use your better judgement. If you don't quite understand the nutritional needs of your crabs yet, then avoid canned foods. Always avoid canned foods when there is a fresh, organic alternative.

[hermiesrokmysox]

I agree with Jedi. THe can food can contain bad perservatives and chemical treaments along with some metal (possibly). So i would just stay away from canned foods.

[Jaci]

i heard that some chemicals used in the canned foods can be potentially harmful to crabs

[Jedi_Sena]

Yes, that is the reason it should only be risked occasionally, seldom, rarely--if ever. Even the cans that are white inside (for tomatoes sometimes) are coated w/ a harmful epoxy. And yes, hermit crab food should not be prepared in aluminum pans or stored in aluminum foil.

[iluvhermies]

What about frozen salmon fillets if you cook them with no salt? I would think that would be ok yeah. I do that with boneless chicken breasts.

[Jedi_Sena]

No salt and no teflon pan. Fresh food is always a better choice than canned. I usually feed my meats raw.

[Jaci]

i didn't know that about teflon. i don't have a teflon pan, but that's interesting. is it bc of the chemicals?