HCA: Hermit Crab Association

As an aquarium keeper, I've learned that most fish shouldn't be fed beef, pork, poultry and other terrestrial meats since they can easily cause fatty liver and other serious health issues. I'm just curious if there's an explanation why invertebrates like hermies don't have this specific problem. Or ...

Is there a general guideline that helps with determining if a rarely kept species is diurnal or nocturnal on advance? Do nocturnal species have any advantages that diurnal crabs lack? Two crab species I'm interested in are Discoplax magna and Perisesarma eumolpe. In my understanding the former is no...

That's true. I'll keep researching the importers. As much as I'd like to rescue, it doesn't seem like there are that many crabs looking for new homes around here. I guess we Finns have never had a real hermit crab fad. That's actually a good thing ☺

OK, I guess I'll be searching for rehoming cases then. Thanks!

So, I've been daydreaming about hermit crabs for years, but negative news about how they're treated in the trade have deterred me. I know these are extreme cases, but how do you know if your crabs aren't from one of these kinds of sellers, aside from signs of disease? Is there a list of reliable her...

Thanks for the info. You're right, there doesn't seem to be many keepers yet. I'm in no hurry to buy one.

Thanks, as I have the NMS (new member syndrome) I didn't notice the link section. Found some potential stores there

Thanks. I live in Finland. There isn't a lot of variety in shells in stores here and I don't know if shells for decorational and crafting purposes can be trusted. Some online stores for hermie owners I checked out had painted shells for sale, not going to support them. The variety of one Swedish sto...

The species Discoplax magna is occassionally available here. I have found out that they live in the Christmas Islands in relatively dry areas and grow to about 10 cm(?) in diameter. Does anyone here know more?

Hi, I'm considering to buy/adopt my first hermit crabs next fall and doing some research now. Are shells from https://m.conchology.be safe to use or can they have traces of dangerous substances on them? Of course their shells would be a bit expensive if I only used them, but as a beginner I apprecia...