HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So, i recently read a thread about isopods, someone was looking for some to add to her tank. I looked them up and found what i called Roly Poly's growing up. I wanted to add some to my 75 when i get it set up, but my boyfriend pointed out springtails. Which do yall use? This would be a great clean up crew for a 75, since i'll be adding about 4 or 5 crabs to it. What do yall recommend? I'm currently online at isopodconnection looking at their items. Is there a care/guide sheet anywhere on isopods that i missed?

ciaraalston wrote:So, i recently read a thread about isopods, someone was looking for some to add to her tank. I looked them up and found what i called Roly Poly's growing up. I wanted to add some to my 75 when i get it set up, but my boyfriend pointed out springtails. Which do yall use? This would be a great clean up crew for a 75, since i'll be adding about 4 or 5 crabs to it. What do yall recommend? I'm currently online at isopodconnection looking at their items. Is there a care/guide sheet anywhere on isopods that i missed?

Ahh, wait I thought springtails were hexapods? Maybe I've been taught wrong, or maybe there isn't a huge difference between hexapods and isopods?

ғɪᴠᴇ ᴘᴘs: ᴋᴏᴀ, ᴍᴏᴊᴀ, sɪᴀᴍ, ᴏᴢᴀʀᴋ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴇʟʟᴀ

Yes! Google says springtails are hexapods!

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92538 This is a guide that is pretty helpful.
Isopods and springtails are different. Many isopod keepers keep springtails in with their isopods though. It is not uncommon for springtails to be kept in vivariums though as a clean-up crew. Occasionally, people get springtails without buying them too!

I personally just use springtails. They have colonized all of my moist enclosures and do an awesome job of preventing mold and breaking down waste.

I have springtails in my Pacman frog enclosure - and they are great. I have isopods in my hermit crab tanks and my tortoise enclosure. The pacman eats the isopods I put in there. I put this on the other message you had - but if you would like isopods - I have PLENTY - all you have to do is pay for priority shipping. Just PM me. This applies to anyone here on the HCA.

I want to also put in tiny janitors, but what about the disease that the isopods can spread to crabs? Is this true? If it is true, how common is it for a crab to get sick or die from isopods?

ғɪᴠᴇ ᴘᴘs: ᴋᴏᴀ, ᴍᴏᴊᴀ, sɪᴀᴍ, ᴏᴢᴀʀᴋ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴇʟʟᴀ

hermiwormi wrote:I want to also put in tiny janitors, but what about the disease that the isopods can spread to crabs? Is this true? If it is true, how common is it for a crab to get sick or die from isopods?

ғɪᴠᴇ ᴘᴘs: ᴋᴏᴀ, ᴍᴏᴊᴀ, sɪᴀᴍ, ᴏᴢᴀʀᴋ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴇʟʟᴀ

I’ve never heard about a disease that spreads from isopods to crabs, and it would be safe unlesss the isopods are blue or they were from places with pesticides

hermiwormi wrote:I want to also put in tiny janitors, but what about the disease that the isopods can spread to crabs? Is this true? If it is true, how common is it for a crab to get sick or die from isopods?

ғɪᴠᴇ ᴘᴘs: ᴋᴏᴀ, ᴍᴏᴊᴀ, sɪᴀᴍ, ᴏᴢᴀʀᴋ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴇʟʟᴀ

I'm pretty sure its a disease isopods can give other isopods, not the crabs.

Iridovirus may jump species and both isopods and hermits are crustaceans, so caution is never a bad idea. The infected isopods will be bright iridescent blue.

Has anyone ever had trouble with them overtaking the tank?

Yes- mine have taken over the tanks before. I had to take a shop vac to my tanks for three days, and then I think I repeated it a few months ago. It was insane. They are finally back in check.


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GotButterflies wrote:Yes- mine have taken over the tanks before. I had to take a shop vac to my tanks for three days, and then I think I repeated it a few months ago. It was insane. They are finally back in check.


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How did you get them back in check?

Yes, how did you get them stabilized? I'm so worried about them taking over the tank and I can't control them. I don't have a shop vac lol

wodesorel wrote:Iridovirus may jump species and both isopods and hermits are crustaceans, so caution is never a bad idea. The infected isopods will be bright iridescent blue.

I don't know why I didn't consider that, but that actually does make a lot of sense.