HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I'm a new crabber too, so I'm still figuring this stuff out myself, but I look at it like this - if he's dead, he's dead, and you digging him up isn't going to help that. (You would have my full and complete condolences!!! Hopefully he isn't dead!!!) However, if he's having a difficult molt and nee...

I'm not as experienced as some of the others on here but I did read somewhere that if they die while buried under the sub you probably wouldn't notice a smell. I'm not saying he has passed or trying to worry you. I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapat...

While doing research I learned hermit crabs can take 4-8 weeks to molt. All 4 of my crabs buried to molt around the same time. 2 went down and about 2 weeks later the other 2 went down as well. The first 2 took about 5-7 weeks to molt. The third took about the same amount of time 5-7 weeks. Its been...

I've noticed that wet sand has a chemical-y smell, which might be what you are describing. It does have an odor that is not "earthy" or "beachy." Well I just took another good wiff and I would best describe it as a lemony scent. Like I mentioned before it's not a "bad" smell. Its just not my mind p...

aussieJJDude wrote:Most people use this. When buying, did you notice any holes or slight tears in the bag? When opening the bag, did it also smell?


(Could it come from a food hord that the crabs stashed away?)

I didn't notice any holes in the bag and it doesn't smell like the food I give them.

I was using eco earth and I was looking to find a cheaper alternative and found that a lot of people use quikrete play sand and I read that it was safe for the crabs so I did a mix of the two substrates and since changing it yesterday I noticed a strange smell. Its not a bad one. Just weird. Not rea...

Thanks for your guys ideas and responses. I'll I'm definitely look into a modified hamster wheel. I do love making them new climbing toys so now that I know they need variety it'll only make it more fun making stuff. They are really enjoying their moss pit and two have buried themselves in it and I'...

I posted earlier this week that I was worried about my crabs. I have 4 of them. And I would never see them at night. None of them would come out and I couldn't figure out why. Some suggested that I increase the tank tempature and thought maybe they were just less active because they were cold. I inc...

I've increased the tempature. It's currently at 80F. I cleaned out their water last night and move the houses around. Three are currently hiding in the dirt. The water is clear of any debris so I'm inclined to believe no one is drinking or taking a swim. The food doesn't look touched. And my crab th...

In any animal care, there are going to be different opinions. :) Yes, crabs can handle temps higher than 80F, no they can not go below 60F long term. When I first started, HCA use to reccomend keeping the temp at 75F, no higher than that. Nowadays, 75F is looking below the bare minimum, where many ...

That's my "special" crab doing his impression of a bat lmao
lmao he's been a weirdo since day 1. So glad I got him lol

It seems like no matter what I read or how much research I do I can never figure them out. They're interesting creatures. Mine buried himself for days and i knew for a fact he wasn't coming out at night. So I assumed he was molting. And this would have been the first molt for any of mine but sure en...

Gotta love fun facts :) and there hasn't been a temperature drop. The tank has been 70 degrees for at least a month now. And doing research I can never really get a solid answer to the temperate needed. Some say 80. But I've also ready 70-80 and any warmer and the crabs will surely die. I've also re...

It's possible. I live in the desert though. Still pretty sunny here and the tank temp is 70F so I knew it wasn't any kind of hibernation. I did lots and lots or research before getting my crabs and this wasn't anything I came across so I was very curious as to see what others thought. It just seemed...

I have 4 hermit crabs. I've had them now for about 2 months. I believe my very unique crab (he's a little special which I love) has decided to molt. Almost a surface molt. Very shallow. Directly under the main house they all sleep in. The 3 other crabs have relocated to the smaller house. They seem ...