HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi all,

Someone mentioned planting chia seeds so their crabs would have sprouts to eat. I ordered some organic seeds and I have a shallow pottery tray to put them in, but my question is, what kind of soil do you use? I don't want to use potting soil because it probably has chemicals and fertilizers in it. Will the seeds grow in the sand/coconut fiber substrate I have my crabs in?

Also, would they like to eat the seeds as well as the sprouts?

Thanks in advance!

Yes, they will eat the sprouts, and in seed form.
You can grow them in EcoEarth, or mixed with PlaySand. Most people just sprinkle them in the tank, but then they may not sprout because the crabs ate them all.


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Normal substrate can handle seeds as long as it’s moist.

I’ve also found that organic worm castings make an excellent growing medium, but it may mold if left in the crabitat for too long.

Thanks everyone! The seeds are planted, so we'll see how they do. I also sprinkled a few into the tank just loose, so they can eat them if they want.

I frequently plant chia in my tank, and recently I have been sprouting them in moist spagnum moss. I've had a lot of luck with it- they sprout every time for me. I let them die off and replace the moss when necessary


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i found my first sprouts of chia last night!
Small little things, but they were there! unfortunately i had them in a little shell of worm castings, and there was a little web of mold starting, so i had to throw it out. But i sprinkled some across the tank so hopefully those sprout! mine are both down so there's really no rush lol

ciaraalston wrote:i found my first sprouts of chia last night!
Small little things, but they were there! unfortunately i had them in a little shell of worm castings, and there was a little web of mold starting, so i had to throw it out. But i sprinkled some across the tank so hopefully those sprout! mine are both down so there's really no rush lol

I always like to plant chia in the tank when I've got molters. Gives me something to watch in the meantime!


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I just sprinkle Chia Seeds in an area of the substrate about the diameter of a soda/pop can. Usually in 3-5 days the sprouts will pop up then wilt and die a few days later. Our crabs never really picked at the plants but will eat the seeds. Silly!

Oooooohhhhh….both Sonny and Cher are down molting right now - I hadn't thought of planting chia so I had something to watch! LOL! It's actually a great idea!