HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I’m using small kritter keepers as pools. The heat mat is stuck to the opposite side of the pools. The wAter feels a bit cold. Is that okay for thrm or should the water be at a certain temperature?

Ideally water temperature should be similar to ocean temperatures. 73-77 F would be about perfect. Based on Cholla Queen's Bio Active video she noticed a decrease in activity in temperatures between 80-85 degrees.

Here is a link to her video. The water portion begins at 3:30. The temperature area is around the 13:35 point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZvBcrxy8Ic&t=1114s

I would say any temperature between 70-80 F would be acceptable.

Thanks Motör that is very cool. Now that I’m sure the temps are acceptable range, in wondering how you all feel about dropping them in the pools yourself if you don’t think they’ve discovered how to get in them yet..

Please don't. Their shell water is maintained to a salinity isotonic to that of their bloodstream. Dropping them in when they don't want to will disrupt their shell water and they'll have to put it back together.

Ok. I am glad I haven’t. I saw one use it. I don’t think the other 2 have. Hope they will figure it out and use on their own.

I allow them to find it on their own. I have two 2.5 gallon aquariums in my 75 gallon tank. Both pools are sitting above the substrate. They found them that night. Just be sure you have several ways for them to get in and out.

Since crabs store a brackish water in their shells they mix themselves dropping them in the water changes that mix. I think of it as someone throwing you into a pool fully clothed.

Edit. I was typing this then got side tracked. Then Joe replied before me.