HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Just got an ultra therm for my tank and have taped it to the back like the paper that came with it said. I have read that insulating it can make it hotter, how do you do this and what do you do it with? Thanks!

Just an update, since July, I increased the depth of the substrate and removed the pool, the pool was replaced with a large above ground sw pool which allows digging under, I will post an updated picture tomorrow. I will be upgrading to a 40 gallon this spring. I had 4 crabs in the tank, 2pp's and 2...

As I live in Florida currently, weather is usually warm. During the spring and summer I have no issue keeping my 20 gallon long at 80-84 degrees Fahrenheit. Every year when winter comes temperatures in the tank end up at 70 degrees I know that this is too low. With my heating lamp I can turn it on a...

I supplement their diet with all living things calcium powder they love to eat it and it is safe.

Two days ago I got two new crabs. It's been 3 years since I've had new crabs. Do they always dig down to destress? One of mine is active eating and drinking and dug a little but never buried itself. And the other has been climbing and changing hiding spots. Is this normal behavior? They don't look t...

I keep my pump outside of my tank with air tubing running into the tank through the corner of the tank down to my salt water pool. The placement of the pump doesn't matter just make sure you install a check valve. Know that crabs will climb the air tubing. One of my purple pinchers swims out to it m...

I WOULD NOT ISO him. If he is still eating and drinking like you said then he needs to be able to do this. You could move him to a tank by him self and give him access to food and water but I would not put a 2 liter bottle or a bowl over him.

The very small e changed shells instantly, he was about to switch back but I threw that painted shell out.

Well this morning I went to get new shells and decided to buy two crabs. If any territorial behaviors happen or if they act unhappy or a problem with molting occurs I will get a 40g immediately. But the place I got them from had a tank with 1cm of calci sand. 50% humidity and 73 degrees Fahrenheit. ...

He definitley could be lonely. Especially with two crabs I have noticed this. If your rank is big enough getting a third would be a good option. They are very social creatures.

I'm definitley going to pack a few more inches of substrate on. Do you guys think this 20 gallon long tank can support 4 crabs for a year. I'm getting a 40 gallon next year so they won't be getting too much bigger by then. They would all be smalls. Thanks.

Has anyone heard of these before!? Mind blown. Was just reading an article about these land hermit crabs that only live in the Red Sea and have not really been studied much or kept as pets. They live in a very arid climate so they seem to do well with lower humidity levels. Also their habitat is hot...

Could be his personality, some pp's are very inactive during the day some aren't. Has he molted yet? If not just try to provide perfect conditions until he does. They can die or become sick suddenly until after their first molt. Just make sure he has a lot of room and many good shells to choose from.

Looks to be 2 purple pinchers.

Sand "beach" replaced with substrate. More space for crabs!