New Crab Owner looking for advice/tips (with picures)

[JF27051]

Hi!
I recently purchased 4 little crabs after doing a lot of research on them. I've already named them Herman, Sheldon, Buttons, and Scooter. My brother named Herman, Sheldon was named because he loves sitting with the shells and spends a lot of time playing with them, Buttons my cousin named, and Scooter was named because once I put them in he started running around and checking things out! I was just wondering if I could get a rating/ advice on the crabitat I have set up (I'll include some pictures along with a description). It's a 40 gallon tank with an eco-earth coconut fiber and play sand mix for the substrate thats about 5" deep. I have 9 extra shells currently and have ordered some more. I keep the humidity around 78% using a humidifier with dechlorinated water and keep the temp 80 in the day and 78 at night using a lamp and a heating pad. They have 3 hiding spaces available. I have 2 pools set up for them, one dechlorinated water for drinking (using prime) and one salt water (using instant ocean). I offer fresh fruit and egg shells daily (given at night before bed) along with the pelleted food they were fed in store. I've read the pelleted food wasn't good for them but I'm offering it to them for now as a way of weaning them off it in a way. They also have damp moss scattered around and plants for them to climb on/ hide in.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

[asiankanye]

Looks great to me! One thing is that I think that looks like a mesh top, and if I remember correctly mesh doesn't hold humidity too well. But if you're humidity's high enough, then I think it should be fine.

[Hermielover121]

Sounds Great just recommend having 6 inches of substrate at least


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[JoeHermits]

Tapatalk’s spazzing on me and won’t let me see the images.

One warning I need to give is that using tap water is a good way to wreck a humidifier due to the mineral sediments it drops. Distilled would work better (and is usually what the manufacturers recommend).

If distilled isn’t available you’ll have to check it regularly for deposits. To clean it you can run white vinegar through it in place of water.


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[curlysister]

I can't see the photos either.
Depending on the size of your crabs, you will need deeper substrate. HCA recommends at least 6 inches or 3x as deep as your largest crab, whichever is deeper. Many of us use a mix of play sand and EE, as it tends to be easier to maintain than all EE. It should be moist enough to hold shape, but not so wet that water pools.
Good that you have more shells on order; HCA recommends 3-5 extra per crab.
Not sure how deep your pools are, but they should be deep enough that the crabs can submerge but also have a way for them to climb out.
Be sure to read the nutrition care sheets. Crabs need protein and calcium daily, as part of a varied diet. There is a care sheet that explains why most commercial foods/ pellets are not good.

[JF27051]

I can't see the photos either.
Depending on the size of your crabs, you will need deeper substrate. HCA recommends at least 6 inches or 3x as deep as your largest crab, whichever is deeper. Many of us use a mix of play sand and EE, as it tends to be easier to maintain than all EE. It should be moist enough to hold shape, but not so wet that water pools.
Good that you have more shells on order; HCA recommends 3-5 extra per crab.
Not sure how deep your pools are, but they should be deep enough that the crabs can submerge but also have a way for them to climb out.
Be sure to read the nutrition care sheets. Crabs need protein and calcium daily, as part of a varied diet. There is a care sheet that explains why most commercial foods/ pellets are not good.

Yep! My crabs are pretty small right now so the substrate is 3x as deep as the largest and the substrate is a EE and play sand mix. Both pools are deep enough to submerge and have a rock ramp for them to get out.
I do offer calcium in the form of egg shells and we’re working on the protein!

[Hermiesguardian]

Yep! My crabs are pretty small right now so the substrate is 3x as deep as the largest and the substrate is a EE and play sand mix. Both pools are deep enough to submerge and have a rock ramp for them to get out.
I do offer calcium in the form of egg shells and we’re working on the protein!

Protein can be any meats your family eats. Raw or cooked, just no seasoning. Also eggs. Raw or cooked. They eat such a tiny amount you only have to cut off a very small piece.

[Hermielover121]

Well tonight for dinner we are having chicken breast and I was wondering if I could just cut off a piece before we add spices or cook it?


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[JoeHermits]

Yup, that works!


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