HCA: Hermit Crab Association

That’s exactly what I do with my branches. I put it in the freezer for a few hours to make sure it doesn’t have pests in it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When I forage for branches, I prefer ones that have lichens growing on them. I am trying to aim for a more natural look to my tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My area recently had very severe thunderstorms but it also tore up the oak trees in the back yard, so there were broken branches EVERYWHERE! I went out and found a good sized oak branch to put in my tank but I always make sure to freeze any branches or bark pieces I put in the tank for my crabs. Don...

I never provide my crabs with commercial food and prefer to give them a natural diet instead. I believe utilizing the safe food list is a good way to find out what they really like and what they don’t. Like, I know my crabs love oak branches with lichens on it. It gives them a tannin source and it e...

That’s why I only turn off the tank lights, but not the heater when I leave to go home for the weekend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I keep mine on all the time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The last time my crabs molted was January and December. So I don’t know when they’re going to molt again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Since you said you have a new crab, it is quite normal for them to de-stress and molt. It is unknown when it’s last molt was in the wild when it was captured. So as soon as hermit crabs find themselves in suitable conditions in the tanks we’re providing them, they are going to want to dig down and m...

I agree with Curly. Most of the groups that I have been in on Facebook have said information in books is outdated. I only rely on information I find on this forum.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, the way I look at this is that keeping these guys is WAY different than keeping tarantulas. New world tarantulas can molt on the surface and you can watch the process. But hermit crabs will burrow underground to molt and you aren’t supposed to see the process unless the crab molts up next to t...

I looked at the site and there are some things on there aside from the trash products that are considered safe such as the Fluker’s Beach Sand substrate, the cocohuts, the cholla logs, the Exo Terra tank (you just have to modify it for deep sub and seal the mesh lid), etc. Sent from my iPhone using ...

I’ve got Ocean Direct Live Sand mixed in as a sub amendment and I’ve seen my guys foraging foraging for bits of coral as a source of calcium, like they would in the wild. I’ve observed this behavior right before they dig down to molt.

I agree. There are some groups that push for play sand and EE only, with no amendments in the sub, and some do recommend amendments. I think it depends on who you
talk to. I’m also considering just sticking to this forum and staying away from the FB talk pages.

Why do some groups say our care methods are dangerous? I am a member of multiple hermit crab groups. Most of them, including ours, have pine on the unsafe list. Only one of the groups says no pine period, including the hides. This other group also pushes for play sand and EE only, no other amendment...

Oh, the limbs you found on the substrate and the new white crab means it molted. The crab only needs his exo skeleton at this point. Can you fill out the emergency template so we can troubleshoot why the crab molted on the surface? http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4610...