HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Would moss like this be okay? and I could keep it in a shallow water dish - like 5mm and just see how it goes

http://www.aco-aquariums.com.au/product/index/655

or Java Moss which is usually used for Aquariums.

(cant get Hiawatha and other moss like frog or beaked in Australia and I wont use Sphagnum moss as it carries a disease for humans)

this is a under water moss, it needs to be under water and it also needs air under water like a air stone with a air hose. Not really a moss that the crabs can climb in and hang out in for the moisture.

If your sand is moist enough and your humidity is good, then you don't have to have moss.

I tried to find some online that was affordable and organic but had no luck. Then my husband and I stayed at this cottage in the Blue Mountains and the back lawn was about 75% moss. I brought a little home and have been growing it a little while I try to work out whether to add it to the tank or not.

I'm honestly not sure moss is something Aussies come across in their natural environment. Given their proximity to salt water, I don't think it's something they'd find in abundance. And they didn't like the coconut fiber I use to have either.

Thanks tnt4eva and Subee again!


Tnt4eva I have moss growing here in our yard but dubious to use it lol Thats interesting that they dont like the coco fibre

Thanks Suebee! But I have been stalking the reptile forums and some of them have had success growing it in their moist tanks... and I would replace and or spray it often? I also read that some hermit crabs love eating aquarium moss but more the algae to....

Well it wont hurt them that is for sure.. and it will look pretty.. I say give it a try and keep us all updated!

Okay thank you! I will!!

I have recently added a moss pit and my crabs love it, they are hanging out in there all of the time, they snack on it lots, its NZ sphagnum moss.
did I read somewhere on a thread here at HCA that this can be dangerous to people? a lady at the nursery said that if its been steam packed that its steralised.

that would be good if it is as I would love to use it! But then wouldnt they do that to all moss if it could get rid of it? Probably not! LOL Would love to find out if that (steamed) really does get rid of it...

not sure, what is it that can be contracted from it?
sphagnum moss packed like this is dead, I soak in marine salt water, so far so good.

I added the moss pit so my crabs had more areas to climb and hang out.
its damp.

there is another thread where we have been talking about mosses with lots of info on them.. more info about this there.

thanks suebee, can you direct me there please

im looking for it..sorry..didnt mean you to see that before i found the link..lol

Its pretty rare Nat - it was discussed here page 2 more so I think http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... c&start=15

Nice tank for Hermies!!

cheers heading there now