HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I've had my two PP's for almost a year and a half. Been wanting to add one more for the longest time, but wanted to try to avoid purchasing from a pet store. Months and months of scouring Craigslist, etc and nothing turned up. I finally decided yesterday to just purchase from the same local mom & pop store I got my other 2 from.

So I show up and the store is in complete chaos. Moving trucks in the parking lot, store packed with people. I can't find a staff person anywhere. I finally do & ask if they have any crabs, he just points to an aquarium and said I could look myself but he didn't think so. The screen lid was COATED in dust...idk how there was food and water still in the cage as it looked untended for a long time. Typical terrible conditions: heat lamp, no humidity, etc. I lift up the foliage and find a few crab limbs. No crabs though. I look inside a cork round and I see just tiny white legs holding onto the inside. I gentle shake the crab out & honestly...if I hadn't just seen the crabs legs holding onto the cork, I wouldn't have seen this crab. Her shell was so big on her and when she pulled all the way back you could only see her BP at a very specific angle. I figured this was my new crab, seeing as she was the only one.

I looked around for a staff person...again none. I just held her in my hands and waited at the register. Finally my turn, I tell the guy I had a hermit crab to buy. His literal response was "Has it peed on you yet?" Rest of checkout was filled with awkward lines similar to that "Do you want to sign off on its life? Nah. You won't care if it dies. It's just a hermit crab. You're an adult, you understand they just don't live long." Super cringy.

I get her home and place her in the tank. Y'all, no exaggeration, it took her 25 min to come out and explore. I was able to confirm she does have all her limbs. And was able to spot her muching on some food and meeting one of my other crabs last night.

I really, really didn't want to buy a hermit crab. But seriously, I think she would have been thrown away. Whenever it came time for them to pack up animals to move to their new location, they never would have noticed her in that huge shell. They didn't even know they had any crabs left in the tank.

Now just hoping she eats well and destresses. I want this little girl to pull through and have a successful molt with me. Just don't want PPS to get her.

Yay for you! And her! I would have done the same thing.

Awe poor little crabs hate it that they treat hermit crabs like that hope she is okay


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Dare I ask how much they charge for a crab at a pet store?

curlysister wrote: ↑

Mon May 25, 2020 10:59 am

Dare I ask how much they charge for a crab at a pet store?

They charged me $12.99. PetSmart and Petco are usually cheaper, but if I'm buying a hermit crab I'd rather spend a few extra dollars at a local business.

That's not too bad....I was just curious, thanks for answering.

Best wishes on her recovery At least she'll get proper care now!

Aw that story is so heartbreaking! I totally understand what you mean about not buying a crab. I'm the same way. But I would have done the exact same thing in your shoes and brought that little crabby home. Shame on that store for treating those poor crabs like that. Thank you for rescuing her!

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Thanks all for welcoming my new crabbo.

She has been very sneaky, haven't managed to see her since her second night in the tank. My two larger boys are above ground and very active at the moment, so hopefully if she is underground she feels very secluded/safe.

Keeping the food bowl stocked with good things. Just changed up the dry food dish with: THCP basic diet, worm castings, dried clover, dried calendula, flaxseed meal, dried octopus, dried grasshopper, crushed oyster shell, seaweed, and all sprinkled with blue spirulina powder. Hope she is fueling up while I can't see her.