HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello! I have 4 hermits crabs all with distinct personalities. We have one from a boardwalk shop and he is definitely the boss of the tank. I notice when I feed them, Sheldon (the boss) will come out of hiding, sit by the food and stare at the rest of them as if daring them to approach the food. He ...

Hello. I plan to add more enrichment items to our crabitat. I have some of the coconut fiber background. I could not get it to stick with the tabs provided so I ended using hot glue and I still had to use some tape to hold it down. Any tips on getting this to stick? I also avoid placing anything in ...

Thanks everyone!


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Also, do I use freshwater to clean food dishes and new additions to the crabitat?
I’ve also been using the freshwater to spray the tank. Is this correct? Thanks.


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Hello. I’ve been using a freshwater and salt water conditioner that was made for hermit crabs. I just grabbed it for convenience while I was working on getting things set up. I’m ready to set up proper pools in my new crabitat and I want to make sure I’m getting it…. So both pools need to be treated...

Thank you so much for the helpful information! I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out as new crab parent. It helps out a lot. Thanks again!!


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Hello! I am getting ready to switch out 2 crabs from their temporary 10 gallon and to a 29 gallon. One thing I wasn’t sure of when I set up the 10 gallon was where to place the heat mat. I put it in the center of the side panel so it’s partially on the sand. Should it be above the substrate? I was a...

Yes it’s been fun for us to learn about them and observe them. It is a shame all the misinformation about them.


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Yup. Exactly. The little plastic tote they give u with one bag of gravel, whatever food they sold, and tap water!! We would take them out and “play” with them…poor little guys. They are way more complex then they tell you. At least back then, they were still in natural shells not painted ones. *not ...

Thanks everyone!!! Taking care of hermit crabs sure is different from when I was a kid. Back then we just did what the people at the beach souvenir shop said ( the pre google/ look in an encyclopedia days). Im glad I found this group!! We love our little crabbies. Thanks again. Sent from my iPhone u...

Hello! I’m still figuring out what my little guys like to eat. They love sweets (fruit spread on a rice cake) but I know the need more nutrition and variety. I have tried different proteins, fruits, veggies. I work at Whole Foods so I usually just pick up stuff from the salad bar for them. There is ...

Ok. Thank u! Just making sure!!


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Hello! My family and I got some hermit crabs recently. We have 2 in a 10 gallon tank until we can get a bigger one ( we want more of these little guys!). It’s been over a month with some trial and error and getting things set up in a fun way for the crabs (Sheldon and Bizzie). I think I got it to th...