HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Can’t tell if they are food or soil mites. They do crawl on the outside of the tank as well.


I don’t know if anyone can tell based on color? If they’re not food or soil mites let me know!


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Are they quick? They look like they may be a type of good predatory mite. People pay for H. scimitus to combat bad mites and food mites, but they are naturally occuring in soil and can end up in crab tanks.

I’d say they’re pretty quick. They’ll actually crawl all over my hand and arm if I pick something up and they’re on it.


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Man these guys really pile up sometimes…can’t put anything down or touch stuff without them hopping on. Seem to come in waves so hopefully they’ll disappear again soon maybe I’ll have to try some isopods again. https://imgur.com/a/YIbYsBk


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That is definitely a population explosion! In other cultures they can be controlled with lower humidity and removing food sources, but that can be hard to do with hermits since their needs pretty well match. White vinegar wipedowns on surfaces may help. Limiting food to just overnight and removing extra organics like moss and wood can also help.