New Crab Quarantine

[Tzb082002]

Hello,
I have 2 hermit crabs and I just got another one. I don’t know the conditions they were kept in at the best store, but they didn’t seem great. I heard that you should quarantine a new crab before putting it in with the other crabs. How long should they quarantine for? I have a place quarantine but it is small and not great.

[ThePinkHermit]

you should quarantine until they seem well adjusted or until any issues they may have arise. can you describe your quarantine enclosure?

[Tzb082002]

A five gallon tank with freshwater, saltwater, and food along with hides. About 4 inches of sand and eco earth.


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[ThePinkHermit]

how big is your crab?

[ThePinkHermit]

A five gallon tank with freshwater, saltwater, and food along with hides. About 4 inches of sand and eco earth.


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that should be ok for quarantine seeing as its just one and temporary, as long as you can keep temperature at a good spot and humidity. keep him in there until you feel hes relaxed and settled in. if he starts molting do not touch until hes done. if any creepy crawlies are seen identify them and take the appropriate precautions. i usually go a week until i move them

[curlysister]

Honestly, I would say that most of us don't quarantine new crabs, we just add them to the existing tank after a quick inspection to ensure there is nothing majorly wrong. If you do choose to isolate them, be sure that the temp and humidity are optimal, and that they have enough substrate to molt in, if they choose to go under right away. There is no need to gradually increase from bad to good conditions.
Consider giving everyone a quick dip in the fresh water, so that they all smell the same and nobody seems 'new'.