HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My biggest crab is slightly larger than a baseball. Her empty shell barely fits into an open coconut half. No way she can get through a "door" in the coconut. I was looking a cork bark rounds, but in order for her to fit into one, I'd need to spend about $60.00.

What do y'all use as hide for your jumbos?

I bought a pack of 3/4" diameter x 2' length bamboo poles to try to construct something, but I'm not sure how I'm going to put it together. I was thinking of lashing the lengths together with twine after cutting them to size. I'd have to learn to lash them together...

Help! I need some inexpensive ideas.

I've been having the same problems with my crabs. I tried to put some hanging undergrowth around and they just teared it all off the walls. I found some video about making snake hides from stuff at a dollar store (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk-cFEh5Jzc&t=781s). I think some of this stuff would work for large crabs as well if you made the entrances a bit bigger.

I would check out the dollar store and find a large bin, you can cut a hole in the sides and ive seen people cover it with mesh so it’s also a climbing toy at the same time


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I just made this out of a dollar tree "stackable bin" for my newest crab that has a really awkwardly large shell. I covered it on top and all sides with mesh. Maybe something similar would work for you

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https://etsy.me/3lb5MxV
i just was looking for hides and found this, it’s a pretty good price and is good for climbing also. (plus it’s pretty appealing to the eye LOL) i wonder if the large one would work, there’s also different options on the sellers account, worth looking at.


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Thank you all for the ideas! Arkos, I really like your hide with the mesh sides!

Pots always work: pots you can either cut a hole in the side to make a door, upside down style, or you can turn them on their side and attach or place something by the opening to make it more private! GL!


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Thanks again for the ideas. I'm for sure going to incorporate some of them. A student came up with what I think is a brilliant idea. I have an unused corner litter box like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Hi-Corner ... 14&sr=8-12

A corner hammock net fits perfectly over the top of the litter box to make an "awning." I drilled a couple of holes into the sides and top of the box to zip tie the net/hammock. It slopes downward and gives a nice big interior hiding spot. I want to line the interior with moss and I'll add some vines to the net to complete the hide. Crabs can climb on the net or hide under it in the litter box.

If I hang the contraption it will also provide space underneath for hiding.

I'm at home right now and my tank is at work, but I'll provide some pictures of it when I'm finished to show you what I'm talking about.

I would love to see it, great idea!


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It's just sitting on the sub right now, but I think I'll make this the shell shop. I may or may not raise it off the sub.

That’s cool...could be very versatile!


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Love it!! Definitely creative, and as you pointed out, can create triple the space for them.


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I use a hollowed out suken pirate ship from my old aquarium. The side opening of it is so large it could definitely allow a jumbo to get through. So, check larger aquarium decorations as well.

Do you have access to a tile saw? I've made my geckos natural stone tile hides, and they can be made to accommodate any size opening. I would suggest slate or marble, the back side of travertine sort of disintegrates in humidity. It doesn't cost much either, maybe $5 to $10 per hide depending on the size and if you wanted to do a simple hide or a full box.

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:43 am

Do you have access to a tile saw? I've made my geckos natural stone tile hides, and they can be made to accommodate any size opening. I would suggest slate or marble, the back side of travertine sort of disintegrates in humidity. It doesn't cost much either, maybe $5 to $10 per hide depending on the size and if you wanted to do a simple hide or a full box.

I love this idea! Do you "glue" them together with silicone? I know Home Depot and the like sell lots of different sizes of tiles. I could probably get enough to make a big hide without cutting, especially if I leave one side open.

Thanks to all of you for your creative ideas!