HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi! I'm seeing so many different tank size guidelines for having two hermit crabs. I've seen that 5 gallons is enough, then that you need at least 10 gallons, then at least 20, and even at least 29... I was thinking of getting a 10 gallon tank to start. I just want them to be comfortable and okay in a 10 gallon.. can someone help me out? Thanks!

Different groups have different guidelines. And it seems like they just keep getting bigger and bigger!

Keep in mind that crabs will of course grow.
But here is HCA's care sheet on how many crabs of what size in what size of tank:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 26&t=92541

Two small crabs will be happy in a 10 gallon, and will give you time to figure out how much you enjoy them. The only downside is that a 10 gallon is kind of small when it comes to fitting in everything you may want to add, in which case a larger tank will give you more options. I've never seen anyone regret going bigger, but I do see a lot of newer crabbera regret having gone too small - not because the crabs are bothered, but because they are! That said, with some careful shopping you can deck out a 10 gallon really well. I have always liked my small tanks!

I went from a 5 gallon (1 crab) to a 10 gallon (2 crabs) to a 40 gallon (7 crabs) within 3 months, lol. They seem to have plenty of room, but I still want bigger bc I love decorating their tanks...it never ends!


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I had my two in a ten gallon for 2 or 3 years. Then a 20 gallon for 2 or 3 more years. Then I lucked into a free 55 gallon, which I have had for the last four or 5 years.

Well I switched my tanks really quickly. I first started off with a 10 gallon that lasted about 3 months and a 20 gallon that lasted another couple months then a 75 gallon I’m currently in right now that I have been using for about a year. They seemed happy in all of them it was me that wanted a bigger tank Let me tell you, I would start off big because even though you won’t need a bigger tank anytime soon you will want one.


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Terrarium are like TVs: Get larger than you think you need. As far as hermit crabs the general rule is about 3-10 gallons per crab depending how large they are.