HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I hear you about the worry.. everyone in my colony is either a rescue or surrender and they all came from absolutely appalling conditions, but against all odds and with good care they all pulled through. I don’t say that to brag, or to act like there isn’t a real risk, or to pretend that I didn’t o...

Hi there! It sounds like you’re doing all the right things for your crabs, the first moult in your care can be pretty unnerving! You’re not the only one to panic. I wouldn’t be worried about the little guy moulting in shallow sub since you have him alone in the temp tank, and from what I gather onc...

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I'm more new here, but been through the boardwalk advice, to a 1/4 knowledgeable PetSmart employee so here would be what I'd include. Minimum 6" substrate; Eco Earth should be available for sale mixed with playsand. NOT the calcium sand sold at pet stores that hardens like cement and can kill a herm...

Haha so true. At first a ten gallon seemed plenty... Add substrate, shells, hideouts, climby stuff, two water sources and it's already crowded. Should have listened the first time to go bigger ha. Of course thinking about more too lol. I'm too old for this 😂. Getting yelled at by my fiance for being...

Yes, you can move him over pretty much right away, IMO. You will want to dip him in the water from the new tank, so he doesn't smell like an 'outsider'. Keep in mind that E's need deeper sub than PP's, many people recommend 10 or more inches. Thanks! Yeah I read that. I will ID him for sure when he...

One more question since this was a small E and I'm going on week two this Tuesday and want to be prepared. For those that haven't followed... Purchased 2 hermit crabs on boardwalk, were in temp 5 gallon tank with 3" of EE until I got home, per advice here I setup a proper 10 gallon crabitat for the ...

Everyone has their own way of getting the substrate to sandcastle consistency from all I've read. When I setup the 10 gallon, I just put in a few inches of eco earth (coconut fiber) added saltwater from a gallon jug (dechlorinated water with half cup of instant ocean) until was wet, but not soaking ...

Throw it out. It's toxic for them. I did just take it out, but the painted shell has more of a D opening and spirals up a bit which I also have a few of. He hasn't really seemed interested in switching, but did tonight. The shell he is now in has more of a round opening (pretty sure some kinda turb...

Thanks, the contact lens seems to be working well. Kraken (PP) in 10 gallon just changed out of his painted shell. Wow. It has paint chips and a crack where the "lip" of the shell is. I just boiled it, but since he finally picked a new shell out of about 20 should I leave it in there? Just feeling h...

I would wait at this point as far as adding anymore crabs. How deep is he buried? If he does molt there, I'd be cautious for now. Not sure I'd even want to mess with the water bowl too much now while he is underneath (again depending on what you mean by underneath the water bowl). He may be destress...

Hi! New as well. Just going to go through what you wrote... 5" is alright, but you'll get recommended minimum of 6" substrate with it being at least 3x your largest crab (whichever is deeper). Is it playsand or the calcium sand they sell at pet stores? Calcium sand is no good and can harden like cem...

Checking in. Got a bit impatient and gently lifted the temp tank and the E is still buried at the bottom in all EE. Can just barely see some of the shell so not much else I could say there. Been a week plus. Have both the original and 10 gallon at 80/80+. My other guy hasn't been too active in the 1...

I also use the sand and EE mix, but I recall reading that straight EE has a higher risk of flooding. To add pictures, many of us use the Tapatalk app. There's another way but I can't remember now, LOL. Welcome to crabbing! I have had my two, Sonny and Cher, for almost 9 years! I saw the Tapatalk ap...

It’s partially personal preference, but there are some issues to be aware of with the EE that happen less with some sand mixed in. Nothing beats sand for a sandcastle- there’s a reason they’re still made out of sand! [emoji39] Kidding. Point is, we do recommend the 5:1 sand bc it does hold its shap...