Mold showing up everywhere

[cornflakes]

I set up a small housing for 3 red clawed crabs, and I put some tiny fish pellet food in there as I found they could eat that. I noticed though a lot of mold (white fuzzy stuff) was appearing everywhere on the food pellets, on the pebbles, and around.

I'm in the process of cleaning the housing and all the pebbles. I moved the crabs into smaller containers separately until the new housing is ready. Next time, is it better for me to put the food in a small bowl instead of just dropping it around everywhere? I don't want to have to do this again. I was thinking of just throwing out all the pebbles and buying a new bag, but I decided to sift them several times through water (hot water too), let them sit in vinegar, and sift/clean them again through water.

 

[wildroseofky]

It is a good idea to use a bowl of some type that is recommended for the type of pet you have. I have seen a lot of supplies for hermit crabs online. Maybe something like that would work for your type of crab. It makes cleaning a lot easier and the pet soon learns to come there for food. Cleaning the gravel like you did should be fine. I have a lot of pets and we have damp weather. I have to deal with mold a lot. Vinegar seems to be the best and safest way to clean it. You can use a bleach and water mixture but you have to rinse it really well and it leaves a bleach smell for awhile. I think the vinegar is safer.

 

[cornflakes]

thanks. Yes, I think I will from now on just leave the food in a small bowl where they can go there for food.

Does anyone know if it's OK/safe to drop some food in the water? I did that once but noticed it made the water murky after it dissolved.

Also, do crabs try and eat the little gravel pieces on the ground? I noticed that even though there was no food around, they occasionally seem to be picking things up with their claws and putting it in their mouth.

 

[wildroseofky]

You can get sinking food that is made for bottom feeders that doesn't come apart like regular fish food. I buy the pellet type for my shrimp and snails. I used to keep hermit crabs and they would pick up small shells and stuff and explore it with their mouth. I have never kept any other kind. Maybe someone else will know more and reply.

 

[cornflakes]

thanks again, I appreciate your responses.