HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Thank you all so very much. I will be sure to get a better way of making the saltwater (Instant Ocean, Red Sea, etc.) and I will increase the substrate depth. Again, thank you all so much for all of the help. I am truly grateful to have found this website and to be a part of it where I know I am get...

Unfortunately, Argo has passsd away. He was such a great hermit crab. He had an oddball personality and I loved that about him. He will be dearly missed. Rest In Peace, Argo.

The opening size can sometimes be completely unrelated to the actual shell size. I get my shells from naplesseashellcompany.com and I have found absolutely tiny and very large shells that have the same size opening. Because of this, I usually buy multiple shells and return the ones that are either t...

As far as I know, I don’t think he’s been in any serious fights. He’s also bigger than the other crab, but I don’t know if that means anything. Underneath the crack it is soft. There is a bit of a layer that’s harder but flimsy. Also near the chipped part where the crack continues I am able to push ...

Oh no! A part of the exoskeleton where the crack in the claw is came off! Also, I think there is also a crack in his back leg! I think he may have obtained these injuries from climbing, as climbing for him usually ends in falling and he’s always been okay after but maybe he hit something when he fel...

Accidentally posted twice as the first time it didn’t show my post! My apologies!

Here’s a picture of the cracked claw that I got during a reshelling attempt. It may be hard to see, but it’s there. You might have to zoom in if you can.

http://imgur.com/FN5nRpw

I have never seen a hermit crab move so fast! I’m glad they’re okay, that was some fight. They’re so cute!! And I love your enclosure/setup!!

Here is a picture of the cracked claw during a reshelling attempt.

http://imgur.com/FN5nRpw

Update: the reshelling was a fail. He just walked out of it pretty much. He’s standing partially in it and eating the honey I gave him last night. I’ll attempt reshelling soon.

That was some fight. I’m assuming the crabs are okay and that was just a dispute over dominance in the hierarchy?

I will try to get pics of it later in the day. I’m giving him a good amount of “nighttime” with the light off so he is undisturbed and will hopefully feel safe to go into a shell in case the reshelling didn’t work. Thank you for the help.

I reshelled him and I hope he stays in the shell. I noticed while I was holding him there is a small crack in his larger claw - is this reason for concern? I heard a small crunching sound when I was holding him which I assume was his legs rubbing together or something but I don’t think two of my fin...

Thank you all. He is still without a shell however is okay and I will attempt reshelling again using those methods. I apologize for not replying sooner as I had to go out again (busy day). Although I have been busy I have been ensuring the safety of my crab. Again, I will attempt reshelling and then...

I put him back in the tank in iso with a container that has dechlorinated water in it as well as his shells. Out of all the shells, the three I put him with are his favorites.