HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey guys! So I am finally getting back into crabbing. I bought a 40 breeder tank and slowly but surely been getting everything for it. I should be able to set it up within a month! And I will for sure be showing you all the progression of it I wont be getting any crabs until I can be sure I can maintain the right temp and humidity. But mainly I just had a question about overcrowding and the different species.

So I heard that its 5 gallons per crab, but that you also want extra space since they do grow. I also read that Straws and E's like deeper substrate and more floor space, also bigger salt water pools. Non of which are problems for me, I already was planning to do that. But they also need a species buddy, will I be overcrowding if I get 2 straws, 2 E's and 2-3 PP's in the 40 tank? Or will they all be fine? That would leave an extra 10G for growth. And I can always upgrade to a bigger tank next year, thats not a problem

I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong, that E's require 10 gallons per crab because they are prone to dig up molters.


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Hermiearth wrote:I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong, that E's require 10 gallons per crab because they are prone to dig up molters.


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This is not a requirement but it is suggested sometimes that E's be in at least a 40 gallon.

I have 3 E's and 16 PP's ranging from small to large in one tank. My E's have never been aggressive.

I feed them a wide variety of proteins and calcium sources as well as lots of plant/leaf litter.

I was moving tanks and found some crabs I'd forgotten about because they were underground when I rehomed a lot of "rehabbed" crabs and got rid of most of the tanks.

Will be upgrading to a larger tank when finances are available.

I don't suggest being as crowded as I am right now at all, but my colony gets along fine and there have been no attacks or cannibalism.

So we went from over 60 crabs adopted/rescued and multiple large (40 gallon and up) tanks in my living room to the 55 with (work in progress) 20g topper.

Will probably try to find a 125 soon. *sigh*

I still have random 10 gallon tanks from adoptions around.

Sorry didn't mean to hijack your thread.

Please don't overcrowd your tanks.

I take in emergency rescues/adoptions, allow them to molt once or twice, then find forever homes for them.

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Thanks for the replies!! I do plan on upgrading to a 55-75 gallon next year if it all works out, so overall having 6 crabs of three different species should work, especially if its only for about a year. But I'll go slow about getting the crabs and see how the E's do. I need to do what's best for the crabbies though, so I may wait until next year for E's
And I also have a 10g lying around lol, I make turn it into a topper.

Thanks for the help

If needed the two PPs will be fine in a 10g tank for a year and leave you more room for your other crabs, especially if they are smaller than a medium.
Even if you wait out on one species until you are ready to upgrade again, like the straws as they slightly more delicate.... a larger tank will be more stable

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I agree about waiting on the straws. .. everything I've read indicates they're a more demanding crab to meet the needs of.

(Disclaimer: I've been crabbing since only Aug 2016, and the only straw I've even laid eyes on was a half-dead chap at a pet-store.)

But aussieJJDude's suggestion seems pretty sound: get everything running smoothly, then add the high-maitenance species when you'very got more space & can add extra swanky salt water swimming pools.

Yeah after setting up the tank I could kinda tell it may be too small for straws. Space fills up quick!! But I will be getting a 150g this weekend. And if I can find a place for it, I'll set that up. I do believe that's more than enough for straws and E's lol

Having PP's first for a while just to see how everything works is a good idea. Thank you guys

150! So jelly over here! Nice!