New Hermit crabs staying buried

[Lexamary]

Hello, I’m a relatively new hermit crab owner, though I had hermit crabs when I was a kid. I just got 3 new hermit crabs and currently have them in a 15 gal tank. They were incredibly active on the first day I got them, super friendly and explored the tank. Now they’re staying buried and might occasionally come out at night for water and food. I know this because I’ve seen dirt traces in the water bowls. I don’t know if this is troubling behavior, I don’t think that they are molting, I’m not sure, but I don’t want to dig them up because I know that can cause stress. Any insight would be great thank you. I’ve had them for a couple days now

I have coconut fiber substrate, and it measures 6inches. Heat is about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is at 80. I have both saltwater and freshwater sources, plenty of things to climb on and hide underneath, as well as many shell changing options.

[JoeHermits]

Digging is normal behavior. They’re natural burrowers and are just at home below ground as above.


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[GotButterflies]

If you would like to see them more active, I recommend that you make their tank warmer. IMO their tank temperature should at the minimum be 80. I keep mine 80-85. Sometimes it gets 78 at night.

[Lexamary]

I appreciate it, I know digging is a normal behavior, i just think they stay under for longer than other non molting crabs do.

I’ll look into getting another heat source, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing anything to harm the crabs.

[Lexamary]

If you would like to see them more active, I recommend that you make their tank warmer. IMO their tank temperature should at the minimum be 80. I keep mine 80-85. Sometimes it gets 78 at night.

I checked, and my temp is at 80, I had the lid open for a little while yesterday, which cooled it down a bit.

[GotButterflies]

80 is great - You will have active crabs if you keep your temp at 80.

[Lexamary]

My crabs still aren’t very active, I’ve been able to keep the temp at 80, and I might see/hear 1 crab at night every now and then. I’m thinking about upgrading my tank, one of the crabs is a little on the larger side, and I feel that he might not have enough room to move around. Would too small of a tank make them inactive? Also, if I do get a different set up, how should I go about moving the crabs seeing as they’re almost always buried. I know digging them up is stressful, and can lead to their death. Thanks!