Before getting vampire crabs as a pet, you might ask yourself, what do vampire crabs eat? Thankfully, their diet is not very complicated. In the wild, unlike many other crabs, vampire crabs are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter.
However, geosesarma red devil crabs’ eating chart should be based on a good balance of commercial food supplements. This food is mixed with a variety of fresh foods and treats. Let’s explore together their eating needs, diet preferences, and health management. This can make these eye-catching secretive animals happy and healthy in captivity.
So keep reading to learn more about what vampire crabs eat and what foods you should feed them. Also, read which foods you should avoid.
What do vampire crabs eat?
Usually, vampire crabs seem particularly fond of having a varied diet. While the commercial diets of these crabs are convenient, most are quite well-balanced. Because they should be supplemented with fresh foods. A good and well-balanced diet is important and allows them to grow. Besides increasing their lifespan, they grow a strong exoskeleton after molting and fend off disease. In the next section, we will briefly discuss what vampire crabs eat.
Feeding Vampire Crabs – Best diet for vampire crabs
Usually, vampire crabs are hardcore omnivores. Whether they will eat anything they can lay their eyes on. In the wild, they make do with plant detritus and insects. Unfortunately, you will often find them digging through the ground to find something to eat. Because they are scavengers. However, you can plan a proper diet for red devil crabs that includes rich nutrients. So that your pet crabs stay strong, fit, and healthy. Below, I provide a list of a mixture of frozen and live food that will do very well for these creatures, such as:
Fresh foods and treats for vampire crabs to eat
- Blood worms: Blood worms are an excellent source of protein.
- Brine shrimp: Another good source of protein is brine shrimp.
- Carrots: Carrots are a very good source of fiber.
- Apples: It is a good source of vitamin C.
- Cucumbers: A very good source of water is cucumber.
- Spinach: Spinach is a good source of iron and calcium.
- Squash: This is a good source of potassium and vitamin A.
- Kale: Kale is a good source of calcium, iron, and vitamin C.
- Collards: Collards are also a useful source of calcium and potassium.
- Calcium supplement: For vampire crabs, calcium supplements are essential. This can be offered in the form of powder, liquid, or tablets.
- Vitamin supplements: These supplements are very important for crabs. Because they are offered in the form of powder, liquid, and tablets.
- Larvae: A good source of protein stays in larvae.
- Mealworms: Mealworms are an excellent protein source.
However, there are also available food options they like to eat, and are recommended for feeding vampire crabs.
- Fresh vegetable
- Plant
- Fish flakes
- Earthworm pieces
- Algae wafers
- Pellets
- Live fish
- Dry flakes
- Mango
- Papaya
- Bananas
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Grass
- Dried shrimp
- Seafood
- Meats
- Plankton
- Pellets
- Lettuce
- Peas
Note: To get better results, consider supplementing them with rich calcium foods once in a while. This can help strengthen their shells. Besides, a well-rounded diet for vampire crabs will work very well to keep them healthy.
What you should not feed a vampire crab
To keep your pet vampire crab fit and healthy, there are a few food items that you need to avoid feeding. Because these food items are very harmful to red devil crabs. Also, it causes many health problems. Here are a few of them, such as:
- Avocados: While avocados contain a toxin. So that it can be harmful to vampire crabs.
- Peaches: Another item is peaches, which can also contain a toxin.
- Rhubarb: It is another food that also contains toxins.
- Junk food: Always avoid feeding junk food. Because junk food is not suitable for their health. Also, it leads to obesity.
While vampire crabs really like salty, fatty, and sugary snacks, you should avoid feeding them. Because all of the items cause many health problems.
How often should you feed a vampire crab?
Typically, vampire crabs should be fed once every day. While these creatures are scavengers. So it would be advisable to feed them no more than once a day.
When should you feed a vampire crab?
As they are scavengers, food should be fed only once a day. This means you should have access to vampire crabs to eat when they get hungry. Also, when will they start looking for food in any way? Besides, they eat dead plant matter to fill their stomachs.
How to feed vampire crabs
As vampire crabs are recognized as omnivorous creatures, meat is a vital source of protein for them. Therefore, you can add protein sources like chicken and fish to their diet. A few cuttlefish bones that are found in the bird area of a pet store can also be supplemented as a calcium source.
Moreover, bloodworms, larvae, and earthworms are also delicious sources of protein. In addition, the majority of things you can add to vampire crabs eat. But make sure there are enough items to keep them interested in eating.
Vampire crab diet
One of the most important parts of caring for red devil crabs is the theory of diet, which is not hard. They are very easy to feed as they are not picky about what vampire crabs eat. However, a balanced diet can help to keep them thriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a vampire crab need calcium?
Absolutely yes. They require calcium. A good source of calcium is cuttlebone, which is recommended for vampire crabs.
Do vampire crabs need salt?
Typically, these crabs do not depend on salt water for their development. Instead, they live near the fresh water and forest, among rocks and dense vegetation.
Will vampire crabs eat snails?
Yes, they eat larger snails. Remember, do not feed smaller snails. Because smaller snails pose a risk of being eaten.
What are the feeding habits of vampire crabs?
The feeding habit of this crab is omnivorous. However, when both animal prey and algae are available, there is a preference for animal prey.
Read: Vampire crab tank setup
