HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi I'm allie


I recently adopted four hermit crabs last Tuesday.. Their previous habitat conditions weren't that great ..I got them from petco.

When I brought them home.. I wasn't sure if the two small/medium crabs was alive until I dipped them in salt water before putting them in the tank then they searched for a hiding place. The other two medium/large ones were the most stubborn ones trying to cling on the box they came with.. I didn't want to injure them so I ripped the box area where they were and place them in the tank and waited for them to let go of the piece of cardboard that they was still clinging to.. Eventually they did and one of them searched around the tank and switched shells quickly while the other went and searched for a hiding spot..

Keep in mind that three of them are still in their old painted shells.

I thought one was trying to molt but seemed like he didn't..

I'm not sure if they have eaten yet.. They still haven't molted..

Temp is 75 and humidity 84-85

6 in sand & coco fiber ... I think sand has gotten a little dry at the top but seems moist at middle through bottom..

Fruits and shrimp and oyster shells & honey

Variety of shells

Bubbler in fresh water & salt water

Hemp net and fake plants and some climbing things

**** I know they have moved to different locations. This time three is all under the log hut but the large one is behind the hemp net..

I have ten gallon tank...


I'm just worried for them.. Is this normal? I haven't seen them moved but I know they have moved.. :/

How long have you had them? Try bumping your temp up some. Many find their crabs are more active in the low 80s. If the surface of the substrate is drying out a little, I would go ahead and give it a good mist (dechlor freshwater).

CallaLily wrote:How long have you had them? Try bumping your temp up some. Many find their crabs are more active in the low 80s. If the surface of the substrate is drying out a little, I would go ahead and give it a good mist (dechlor freshwater).

I will moist it again but whenever I use the heat lamp it brings down humidity.. I have UTH but it's not much help with heat .. And I had them since Tuesday ..


This morning I noticed they have ate and moved around .. But I didn't see it

I have another concern..three have not changed shells and one of them has a shell that is way to small for them but hasn't changed his shell.. What do I do ?

Totally normal behavior for new crabs. Keep offering a variety of healthy foods, they will eat. Same with shells, offer a variety and they will change when they're ready. I know it's easy to worry about these guys but as long as conditions are right, they'll do the rest.

Have you tried insulating the UTH?

CallaLily wrote:Totally normal behavior for new crabs. Keep offering a variety of healthy foods, they will eat. Same with shells, offer a variety and they will change when they're ready. I know it's easy to worry about these guys but as long as conditions are right, they'll do the rest.

Have you tried insulating the UTH?

Okay and what do you mean by insulating ? And right now their tank is around 70 and humidity is 80..

Also should I remove the crabs from the tank to moisten the sand ? ..I don't want to disturb them but at the same time I want them to be able to molt..

Check your brand of UTH's instructions first because some advise against insulating. If yours can be, you can place aluminum foil, cardboard, styrofoam, insulation board, etc over the UTH to push and keep heat in the tank. This may help bring up the temps. 70F is definitely too low, if you have PPs it needs to be 75F minimum. Though most recommend the low 80s because their crabs are most active at those temps.

Just give the surface a good misting. No need to remove the crabs.