Hi Bill! I have a darling little Sableye and I try to give him a good mineral rich diet but I was wondering about special treats. I would love to be able to afford rare gems for him but not realistic. Would sugar gems or rock candy be an okay treat for my Sableye? I thought he would like the crunchy texture. Thanks!

Actually, this (that is, being able to give a sableye rock candy in lieu of actual rocks) is a common misconception, but the truth is that sugar is not the best thing for a sableye’s health. It doesn’t digest it like we do, and it can build up in its digestive system, leading to certain health problems.

Instead, consider offering cheap crystals such as polished quartz, which you may be able to find in bulk for less than $10 online. Alternatively, glass (so long as you’ve sanded the edges) and ceramic (same) can work just as well, although they’re not quite as nutritional as tumbled crystals.