HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Out of pure curiosity, where would you guys would say to be the best place to look for Indonesian hermit crabs? I know they're among the more elusive bunch of crabs to find, but I'd still like some opinions

Adopt if available.

If you are in the U.S. there is no way to get
them unless you order them from an overseas vendor, which I personally would never endorse or recommend.



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There indeed is no way to find this species commonly in a local store, but some people still own indos in the states, they may have come from a previous owner in which they adopted out, but who knows how the previous owner may have obtained them?

I was lucky enough to adopt my pretty guy, and it really is incredibly rare for any store to have them. As I understand it, some exotic pet shops will get them in either on their own or specifically for someone occasionally, which is where my guy cane from originally. I am having a very hard time finding him a species friend though, so whatever you get, if you have the option to get two from the start, I would. He is more aggressive than some of my other PPs, but not so bad they can’t co-exist of course. He’s just kinda grumpy sometimes lol. Here’s Mr EnDoh!
Edit; (And, if you can adopt, or course this is always best, I can’t argue there. And I wouldn’t be a responsible crabby mom if I didn’t ask; if you DO find a single Indo, even knowing you’d also like one, would you please consider letting Mr EnDoh have a species friend? Thanks for considering him. )



Dave the Wondercrab~Pat~Maggie~ Billy~Pop~Corn~Ten~Sam~MissTeri~Tim~Gene~ Barry~Mr S~Princess + 5 Es + Mr EnDoh =my crabby clan!

My Indo was given to me. His previous owner had a lot of exotics and decided to get out of the hermit crab hobby. She only had one Indo though. I do wish he had a gf!

Edit: I haven't officially sexed him yet, I just assumed it is a male! I probably should look! One of these days!

How can you tell the difference between an indo and a pp? To me, these look like pp's.

GotButterflies wrote:My Indo was given to me. His previous owner had a lot of exotics and decided to get out of the hermit crab hobby. She only had one Indo though. I do wish he had a gf!

Edit: I haven't officially sexed him yet, I just assumed it is a male! I probably should look! One of these days!

Awww! I haven’t sexed mine yet either. I call ‘him’ Mr but really it’s still a guess. I know neither of us would want to get rid of our Indo, but if I/we can’t ever find another I might consider letting mine come live with you; I want to do what is best for the crabs in the end after all! If I do come to find out which sex mine is, I’ll let you know- if we do have a pair I’d almost def let them be together just bc. Idk, something for us to consider if you agree! I love my Indo and I want to keep him for many years to come and watch him grow etc but. I want him happy while he’s doing it too.


Dave the Wondercrab~Pat~Maggie~ Billy~Pop~Corn~Ten~Sam~MissTeri~Tim~Gene~ Barry~Mr S~Princess + 5 Es + Mr EnDoh =my crabby clan!

Hermiesguardian wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:24 am

How can you tell the difference between an indo and a pp? To me, these look like pp's.

Indos have a slightly different eye shape and their big pincher is shaped differently! It’s much smoother in comparison to other species, IMO. A quick Google search of “Indonesian hermit crab big pincher” will show you what I mean!

PinchersAndShells wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:43 pm

Indos have a slightly different eye shape and their big pincher is shaped differently! It’s much smoother in comparison to other species, IMO. A quick Google search of “Indonesian hermit crab big pincher” will show you what I mean!

Thank you.

Hermiesguardian wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:24 am

How can you tell the difference between an indo and a pp? To me, these look like pp's.

They have rounded eyes, and their big claw is substantially larger than a PPs. Their color and markings can be very similar though.

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 12, 2019 3:56 am

They have rounded eyes, and their big claw is substantially larger than a PPs. Their color and markings can be very similar though.

Thank you. I really couldn't find any pics of them online. No real reason though. I can assume mine are pp's right?

Hermiesguardian wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:46 am

Thank you. I really couldn't find any pics of them online. No real reason though. I can assume mine are pp's right?

Definitely assume they are PPs. Indos have always been an exceptionally rare find in the US. Even if you were to stumble onto a surprise exotic someday, it is much much more likely to be a Ruggie or Viola than an Indo!