HCA: Hermit Crab Association

This is a 10 gallon tank. I got a heat lamp which I keep on during the day and shut off at night. The lamp usually keeps the temps around 80-90 degrees and when shut off it’s between 70-75 degree. Humidity fluctuates a lot, can’t seem to get it to level out. I mist every few hours, and I keep a damp wash cloth on the top of the tank to try and level it out. Without spraying it’s usually around 65-70. I’m not sure if that’s what’s resulting in my crabs low activity or not.
As for the substrate I got aquarium rocks on the bottom, crab sand (not calcium sand) yes I know I need more sand. And moss patches. I used some of the rocks as a leveler between the water and food bowls so crabby can get to them easier. I also have a mini garden that is supposed to have chia plants but I think crabby ate the seeds
Crabby(Hank) has completely dug out the sand under his hut so it’s just a big hole now
Other than me needing more sand (which I’m holding out on atm because I might be getting a bigger tank) any advice on how to improve Hanks crabitat?


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It looks great so far! Looks like your doing a lot more than I was when I first got my crab.
Seems like you have already pointed out the main features that you need to change like getting more substrate and a bigger tank.
Props to you for being so on task and researching everything you need to do to take care of your crab sooner than later, that's awesome!

The main thing I would just say is that maybe you can get deeper water bowls depending on how big your crab is. If your crab is about as big as the other shells you have in your tank, then yeah you definitely should get deeper bowls so your crabs have enough water and can bathe themselves if they want to. I think those water bowls are more for teensy tiny crabs. If you do have a teensy tiny crab though, then you are totally fine for now!

Also, you can raise the humidity by adding a certain tank decorations that hold in moisture. I had a volcanic rock of some sort I think, it was kind of porous, had a lot of holes in it, so it could keep the water in and keep the humidity in pretty well. Sorry, I don't have more information about this kind of rock, but if you look around you can probably find what I am talking about. I don't think you have room for one in your tank right now, but if you are upgrading your tank size, it might be an investment you might want to look into!

Lastly, I notice that you are using store bought hermit crab food, you might want to consider getting your food from other sources. Most hermit crab food from pet stores have copper sulfate and other harmful ingredients that actually are very harmful to hermit crabs. The hermit crab association has a list of safe food options if you want to look into that. If you still want to buy prepackaged food though that's fine, I would suggest just not getting it from a pet store and instead getting it from a website which specifically specializes in selling food for hermit crabs.

This video by CrabCentralStation goes over some of your options!
https://youtu.be/gG64EN9EWsg

Looks like you are doing great so far though! Keep up the great work
Hope you have a great day!

The heat lamp probably plays a big role in the humidity fluctuations. I suggest getting an under the tank heater but either put it on the side or along the back. The lamp is too much and will keep the air dried out!! A moss moist moss pit will help as well!! Good luck with you crab baby!!!

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Pretty great! But I have a suggestion, maybe a little more enrichment? The cholla wood and hide is are a good start, but crabs are really active and need a lot to do. I took a big rock from outside, sanitized it and buried the bottom half in the substrate. As soon as my new PP's got into the tank two of them clambered up the to the top. They were constantly on it so much I added another one! I just think its a great piece of enrichment that's easy to find once you get a bigger tank. I can't even lift up the rock because if I do they make a little cave under it with the rock as the ceiling and i'm scared i'll find a molting crab under there! And it would look really cool in your tank. Leaf litter is a great option too! (I know the hide his very similar to the rock, but it doesn't have all of the same benefits since I assume it has a hollow bottom and less natural variation in the texture). Also, if possible I would consider getting Hank a friend. Please adopt though if you decide too! Good luck!

Hermiecrab wrote:Pretty great! But I have a suggestion, maybe a little more enrichment? The cholla wood and hide is are a good start, but crabs are really active and need a lot to do. I took a big rock from outside, sanitized it and buried the bottom half in the substrate. As soon as my new PP's got into the tank two of them clambered up the to the top. They were constantly on it so much I added another one! I just think its a great piece of enrichment that's easy to find once you get a bigger tank. I can't even lift up the rock because if I do they make a little cave under it with the rock as the ceiling and i'm scared i'll find a molting crab under there! And it would look really cool in your tank. Leaf litter is a great option too! (I know the hide his very similar to the rock, but it doesn't have all of the same benefits since I assume it has a hollow bottom and less natural variation in the texture). Also, if possible I would consider getting Hank a friend. Please adopt though if you decide too! Good luck!

I actually added this half a coconut shell I got, and bought a deeper water bowl with a hide underneath. So now he has 3 hides! But now I need a small freshwater bowl cause my tanks too small


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Awesome!