Hello

jwhite1083 · Post by **jwhite1083** » Tue May 03, 2016 6:24 am

On Saturday I purchased my very first Hermit Crabs.

One was named Mr. Energy because he seemed very healthy and strong. He took a great interest in the water and food and digging. He didn't change shells but maybe he will after he comes up from a molt which is what he is doing now. I hope he comes up all shiny and new.

He friend is named Mr. Shy because he is very skittish and doesn't do much. He likes Babylonia shells and buries anything that looks like a turbo.

He likes to hide underneath the moss hammock all the time. He likes kicking around in the salt water dish.

The Franckinator · Post by **The Franckinator** » Tue May 03, 2016 8:04 am

Are you glad now that you bought two?

jwhite1083 · Post by **jwhite1083** » Tue May 03, 2016 8:48 am

Yeah! Two was as much as I could get.

They seem to be getting along just fine. Once they both molt, I'm going to move them out of the ISO tank and use that tank for something else. I think in an emergency, a Critter Keeper will do, but I don't see the need to ISO them just because one is molting any more.

The Franckinator · Post by **The Franckinator** » Tue May 03, 2016 10:56 am

Yeah! Two was as much as I could get.

They seem to be getting along just fine. Once they both molt, I'm going to move them out of the ISO tank and use that tank for something else. I think in an emergency, a Critter Keeper will do, but I don't see the need to ISO them just because one is molting any more.

From what I remember in your first post, you have two 10 gallons, right? Are you getting another larger one?

jwhite1083 · Post by **jwhite1083** » Tue May 03, 2016 12:07 pm

Not yet.

The Franckinator · Post by **The Franckinator** » Tue May 03, 2016 2:04 pm

Well if you have just two 10 gallons, it probably wouldn't make any difference which one they're in unless you've set them up differently. Btw, a 10 gallon for two small crabs is perfectly fine. Just be prepared for the future when you will definitely need to upgrade.

jwhite1083 · Post by **jwhite1083** » Tue May 03, 2016 2:51 pm

The ISO tank is in a room that's far away from everything. IT's great for new crabs and motling crabs so they get a lot of privacy. My main tank which is supposed to be where they'll be, is much more easily accessible for viewing and care, so I'll move them there.

The Franckinator · Post by **The Franckinator** » Tue May 03, 2016 3:09 pm

jwhite1083 wrote:The ISO tank is in a room that's far away from everything. IT's great for new crabs and motling crabs so they get a lot of privacy. My main tank which is supposed to be where they'll be, is much more easily accessible for viewing and care, so I'll move them there.

That's good you're putting this much effort into it. Btw, you really don't need to isolate molters - I'm not sure if that's what you meant by, "and molting crabs" - when crabs molt in the main tank, you just let them be unless there is some urgent cause of concern. Some people like to begin isolation when the crab starts to show signs of molting, but, truthfully, you never really know when it could happen. Besides, that's how they do it in nature - although aquariums, no matter what size, are still petty attempts at simulating real environments. I assure you, most of the big crabbers on this website would agree with me.

But yes, that kind of environment is great for crabs that need to be separated or de-stressed.

jwhite1083 · Post by **jwhite1083** » Tue May 03, 2016 3:55 pm

Every website I've been to, told me I need an Iso tank for Molting crabs. Including this one.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/iso.html

Maybe someone should update the page to state that none of that is necessary for Molting crabs, so that new crabbers don't waste time and money getting this.

EDIT: I'm not upset. In fact, I'm thinking about getting 2 more crabs... I wanted 4 anyway.

The Franckinator · Post by **The Franckinator** » Tue May 03, 2016 5:45 pm

Yeah, that's probably an old article. The footnote says 2005 web design so I'm guessing around then? As far as I know, that's been debunked. Some people still do it, but in my opinion it's just an unnecessary stressor. I guess the solution though is to make sure the main tank is in a quiet place as well.

Another thing to think about is that some people don't use ISOs at all! Not even for new crabs - they just place them straight in the main tank. It's all based on how YOU think the crabs should be taken care of. "Should they be slowly adjusted to ideal conditions?" If it's a yes from you, then use the ISO. If you think they should be introduced to correct conditions immediately, then maybe not. I prefer to introduce slowly and am paranoid about potential diseases entering my main tank, so I use an ISO.

And that's great you are thinking about saving more crabs from the evil commercial pet stores! Another great thing you can do on this site is make a journal...

soilentgringa · Post by **soilentgringa** » Tue May 03, 2016 5:52 pm

It is old. What forum did you find it in?
This is our current molting guide:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92527

jwhite1083 · Post by **jwhite1083** » Tue May 03, 2016 6:09 pm

If you google the words "isolation tank hermit crabs" it's the third link on Google.

You might want to remove the page or edited it with a redirect!

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

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