HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I read many times that they need a sponge to drink from, because they don't drink directly from the water, but ive read a few times on this site that sponges are bad.

So, which is true? I have a large sponge in my tank that I keep in a bowl. Do I need to get rid of the sponge and just use a bowl of freshwater?

I've read here that sponges kept in the water dish can be a haven for bacteria unless you switch it out every other day for a sterilized sponge. I'm pretty sure the crabs can drink from the dish without a sponge. I dont use sponges and I've seen my crab scoop water from the dish. its so cute

Sponges get pretty gross in stagnant water...think of leaving your dish sponge in a dish of water for a week..yuck! They are a great place for bacteria and will even mold and turn black and will smell just rank.

I would opt for just the water dish. I havent used a sponge in over 4 years and the crabbies all visit the dish and drink just fine.

I think sponges are only good ifyou have some serious humidity problems.

Additionally, make sure you have a water dish deep enough for your largest crab to completely submerge - and a way for smaller ones to get out. This ("bathing" by themselves) is necessary to keep shell water at adequate levels. Be sure to have both salt and freshwater bowls the same way.

Text that says crabs can't drink from standing water are bunk. Though crabs do enjoy drinking from and eating natural sea sponges nonetheless.

I've used sponges in my deep bowls in the past as safety mechanism so that small crabs don't drown.

Swap the sponges for new sponges at least once every week. Let the old sponge air dry, and once it's completely dry nuke it for 1 minute. Then it'll be read to swap in the next week.

Yep agree with all the PPs, they do just fine from the regular water dish. If you're having humidity issues I would recommend going with wet moss instead. Save you lots of time!

Mine do fine with the water dishes. I USED to keep a sponge to help with the humidty, but I tossed 'em. They'd often get dirty & moldy, so I scratched that idea. Plus the humidity is fine without them.

sponges host bacteria
i have a jumbo- so this isnt the best example-
but i have two cat food dishes in his tank
one has salt water
and the other has fresh
spring water is fresh
and then i mixed the appropriate amt of special salt- NEVER MORTON!!!
so i always can pour more

my crabs hate sponges

Yeah, it produces bacteria.

So I guess Sea Sponges are bad? *re thinks tank idea*

a sponge is good for humidity. and dog lips, as long as you kept it clean, a sea sponge would be fine.

It really is a personal decision. As long as you keep them clean. :smt028

brad873 wrote:a sponge is good for humidity. and dog lips, as long as you kept it clean, a sea sponge would be fine.

really? sweet. i guess by keeping it clean you mean just like soaking it in salt water/boiling it in salt water?

yes. salt will keep most molts at bay

sweet. I wouldn't put the Sponges IN the water, but pu them near the water. just to help the humidity mostly.