HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi friends!! Happy Labor Day to those in the states! I’ve been curious how often you can introduce new toys, fixtures or “furniture” in your crabitat without stressing out your babies? Clearly they make a mess each evening and do some damage while doing their evening excursions and I do a little “daily” cleaning and reset. That said...I do like to occasionally introduce new items (plants, hideouts, wood, etc.,) to keep them busy and intrigued with their surroundings.

I’ve read quite a bit on the site regarding substrate (& depth) heating/ humidity, fresh/salt water and fresh food yet can’t really find anything that outlines how often is “too” often to rearrange their surroundings?

I’ve read most people don’t do a complete “deep clean” and remove everything except a few times a year. I guess I’m really talking about moving a few things around in the tank and introducing new pieces. How frequent is too much to cause them stress?

Appreciate any pearls of wisdom from those of you who’ve been crabbing for a while. Thanks!

I have been wondering the same thing for a while. If it is something like adding a piece of Cholla, or a changing a hide for a new one I'll do that whenever. If it's a big change such as a total revamp of the tank I try and limit that to every few months if that.

All crabs react differently to everything. My one guy won't move if I pull the food bowl out and he's next to it. Others run the second they see movement outside the tank.

It isn't much help but my thought process with them.

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I've changed the location of the wheel and moss pit but I can't change anything on the ground because everything has become partially buried, and I don't want to disturb any tunnels, caves, molters. I can't wait till I do an upgrade. Have no idea when that would be.

Mostly depends on the crabs, totally agree there. Because they are all so different it really will vary. I’d just watch their reaction after a big change and get an idea who loves it and who doesn’t, who is curious and who runs away to hide! You know what I’m saying here I think.
I have some crabs who are curious and will walk right into my hand, and I have others who stay hidden 98% of the time! Just play it by ear, you’ll know when the time is good.


Dave the Wondercrab~Pat~MaggieMoo~Billy~
Pop~Corn~Ten~Sam~Tim~Gene My PP clan

I think it is great to add things. This way their environment doesn't get boring. The main thing is don't move things that are buried because you don't want to collapse any tunnels.

Re- the deep cleaning. I have never replaced all my substrate, just added more as I upgraded tanks and as the crabs grew. If you have proper sub, the only time it may need fully replaced is if there is something like a flood or bacterial bloom.

I not only decided to change the furniture and room decoration of the tank, but I must do something in the room where the crab itself is located. Because my last crab ran away and my son was very upset.