very new crab owner with many many questions

[Hermiesguardian]

My daughter came home in June from Florida with 2 hermit crabs in one of those small plastic "tanks". I'm surprised they survived. She was leaving for college in August so she gave them to a friend. The friend returned them about 3 wks ago, so now it's up to me to take care of them. I have done TONS of research. Got a 10gal tank. I think they would be considered small. About the size of a quarter. But with everything they need in there it seemed really small, so I got what I thought was a 20gal from a friend, but it's really a 15gal and didn't give me much more space. My daughter wanted another hermit crab so we got one. I guess they are getting along, however, they all seem to be buried during the day. I was up last night and only saw the new one out and about. I'm just flumoxed with all the info I've been learning. To be honest, I am creeped out by their legs/claws. I'm sorry, I know that sounds awful but I won't let them crawl on me. Remember, they were my daughter's. How do I know if substrate is getting moldy below surface? I never see them climb. And since UVB rays can't get through a mesh screen, which I have, what do I do to get them those rays? I guess that's it for now. Help please. lol

[DaJimmer]

For starters just worry about your Basics like the proper products to build your crabitat and then dialing in the climate of your crabitat.
I personally use a 10 gallon tank play sand I found at Home Depot and sphagnum Moss I found at Home Depot for substrate. Thank you for taking pity on the little buggers I'm sure they will be quite happy just being left alone in side of their new home. Search a lot and read even more.
viewforum.php?f=51
This is what my 10 gallon looks like I started a month ago
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=115534
Substrate needs to be three times the height of your largest crab at least. Temperature should be 75 to 85 degrees and humidity should be similar 75 - 85%.
A diet of organic fruits vegetables keeps them safe from pesticides. They need animal proteins to like shell on shrimp beef fish you name it. You can also feed things like dried crickets and mealworms bloodworms Etc crabs are scavengers so they eat about anything but that doesn't mean they're always in the mood for everything their needs will change through Cycles.

[GotButterflies]

Hello, again

Hermits do tend to stay buried for the most part until the night. I do have some diurnal crabs...but most of them are nocturnal. Was the substate mixed with dechlorinated marine salt water? The substrate really shouldn't get moldy tbh. What do you have for climbing in your tank. Give them time to get acclimated to their environment. That can take days/weeks/months - they are individual creatures...

UVB isn't necessary unless they are Strawberry Hermit Crabs. I personally recommend it for all crabs, but not necessary. Make sure long heat is 80-85, and humidity is a minimum of 80 or above. Please let us know if you have any questions. We are happy to help!

[Hermiesguardian]

For starters just worry about your Basics like the proper products to build your crabitat and then dialing in the climate of your crabitat.
I personally use a 10 gallon tank play sand I found at Home Depot and sphagnum Moss I found at Home Depot for substrate. Thank you for taking pity on the little buggers I'm sure they will be quite happy just being left alone in side of their new home. Search a lot and read even more.
viewforum.php?f=51
This is what my 10 gallon looks like I started a month ago
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=115534
Substrate needs to be three times the height of your largest crab at least. Temperature should be 75 to 85 degrees and humidity should be similar 75 - 85%.
A diet of organic fruits vegetables keeps them safe from pesticides. They need animal proteins to like shell on shrimp beef fish you name it. You can also feed things like dried crickets and mealworms bloodworms Etc crabs are scavengers so they eat about anything but that doesn't mean they're always in the mood for everything their needs will change through Cycles.

Thank you. I am using just coconut fiber substrate. And about 5 inches deep. It's hard to keep the temp/humidity steady. I am feeding them better than my family with fresh fruit and veggies. And dried baby shrimp, peanut butter and pecans for protein so far. I already know that it never looks like they eat. But they are, right? I have 4 empty shells for them, but have never seen them look at them, let alone try them on. I know I need a couple more since I now have 3 crabs. Like I said, the 15gal tank seems too small. They have almost no room to just walk around. I have a cuttlebone in there that they also never seem to nibble on.

[Hermiesguardian]

Hello, again

Hermits do tend to stay buried for the most part until the night. I do have some diurnal crabs...but most of them are nocturnal. Was the substate mixed with dechlorinated marine salt water? The substrate really shouldn't get moldy tbh. What do you have for climbing in your tank. Give them time to get acclimated to their environment. That can take days/weeks/months - they are individual creatures...

UVB isn't necessary unless they are Strawberry Hermit Crabs. I personally recommend it for all crabs, but not necessary. Make sure long heat is 80-85, and humidity is a minimum of 80 or above. Please let us know if you have any questions. We are happy to help!

For climbing I have a decorative log, a driftwood log, a bridge type thing with stairs on each side and a bird toy macrame type thing above the bridge. I mixed the substrate with dechlorinated water.

[GotButterflies]

Sound like you have a great variety I’m not sure what macrame is.

Mold doesn’t hurt crabs. Just us. Don’t worry- should be a-okay! If it does get moldy, in the future, use dechlorinated Marine saltwater to mix it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hermiesguardian]

Sound like you have a great variety I’m not sure what macrame is.

Mold doesn’t hurt crabs. Just us. Don’t worry- should be a-okay! If it does get moldy, in the future, use dechlorinated Marine saltwater to mix it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you. Macrame is like a rope knitted I guess.

[Happyhermiehome]

Haha don't feel bad about thinking they are creepy!
Many many crabbers here are "hands off" with their crabs only touching them when it's necessary. They don't require human attention and affection or playtime out of the tank. Some people do do those things but to each his own.

[Hermiesguardian]

Haha don't feel bad about thinking they are creepy!
Many many crabbers here are "hands off" with their crabs only touching them when it's necessary. They don't require human attention and affection or playtime out of the tank. Some people do do those things but to each his own.

Thank you! I appreciate that.

[LadyJinglyJones]

Hiya, just wanted to throw in that not only will you not be judged for finding them creepy, but I super-love that you're going to all this trouble for animals you wouldn't necessarily have chosen... kudos!

Initially, getting that 80° & 80% humidity/temperature going steady in your tank can be a learning g curve, especially with smaller tanks, and as the heat comes on in the winter (assuming that's a thing where you live). If you have trouble with that there are a few tricks for dealing with it.

Also, on the subject of shells - if you haven't read the shell guide yet & were planning to buy more, it's worth a read.
Its here:

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92552

[Hermiesguardian]

Hiya, just wanted to throw in that not only will you not be judged for finding them creepy, but I super-love that you're going to all this trouble for animals you wouldn't necessarily have chosen... kudos!

Initially, getting that 80° & 80% humidity/temperature going steady in your tank can be a learning g curve, especially with smaller tanks, and as the heat comes on in the winter (assuming that's a thing where you live). If you have trouble with that there are a few tricks for dealing with it.

Also, on the subject of shells - if you haven't read the shell guide yet & were planning to buy more, it's worth a read.
Its here:

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92552

Thank you. I think I'm already attached although still find them creepy. I looked at the shell guide and it's really confusing. I have no idea what breed these are. I got some different type shells, boiled them, then dipped them in the dechlorinated salt water.

[LadyJinglyJones]

Is it the crabs or the (snail) shells that you can't identify?

In the u.s. & can., there's a strong chance the crabs are purple pinchers, or possibly ecuadorians. Are their big claws purple & their eyes kinda round?