Hello- new member and new crab

[Blackthorns]

Earlier today on a day visit to the mall of America I came across a hermit crab stand selling kits. As an animal enthusiast I was immediately excited to check them out, as I usually don't get the chance. After some convincing and pleading to my dad, he gave in.
So now I have a hermit crab (ridiculously named William Richard Hermy II), in a small critter keeper type enclosure. There's a sand/neon gravel combo for substrate, and I added some food in a bottle cap and some fresh declorinated water in a small pot bottom. There's also an extra shell, and a weird wood piece that came with him. I did some reading immediately because from experience with other animals, the care kits are usually... Not high in quality for the animal.
From my research, I now need-
A misting bottle
Temp and humidity gauges
A ten gallon
A heat source (would a reptile pad work? What's the cheapest option?)
Play sand and coco fiber to mix
Sea salt mix
Some toys and enrichment
A few dishes/etc for food and water

What else am I missing? Any tips? I'll admit that he was a complete impulse buy and now I'm kinda lost XD

[soilentgringa]

I would suggest reading through the care guides here before purchasing anything for the crab. This will save you a lot of money.

You are going to need more than one crab, also. They are social animals and live in large colonies in the wild.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92457

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

[Blackthorns]

Thank you! We'll be sure to grab a companion as soon as we have a tank set up for him as well-Should I bath them both and add them into a new tank at the same time to prevent any arguments?

I also have no idea what kind of crab he is-Here is a link to the two photos I have of him
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJEMll7jv0d/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJEMpaWDsut/

[aussieJJDude]

He's a PP.
Its probably best to get the new guy into the tank straight away and get him in some new conditions. However, if you can add his companion at the same time, then its an added bonus. Like you said, bath them togethor and add them in the new tank.

As for the heat source, a UTH (the pad) works fine. many US crabbers get the ultratherm, as they normally run a bit more warmer which is needed for the crabs. But I'm sure all brands would work.

(Would also reccomend some shells if you don't have them already. Turbo shells are a good choice. )

[KayedeeLove<3]

Good tips here:
Joann's fabric sells a 3$ bag of various size green turbo's (preferred by the crabs)

Uth- This is your heating source ultratherms are the best and can be purchased at www.reptilebasics.com

Play sand and eco earth should be mixed for the substrate. Play sand at home depot 3$ a bag EE at local pet store!

Hope this helps good luck!

Sent from my LGMS330 using Tapatalk

[shanedaman112]

If you want some nice food mixes check out "the hermit crab patch" and a store on Etsy called "the happy hermit supply" where I get my food mixes.

Galaxy s3 via tapatalk

[Blackthorns]

He's a PP.
Its probably best to get the new guy into the tank straight away and get him in some new conditions. However, if you can add his companion at the same time, then its an added bonus. Like you said, bath them together and add them in the new tank.

As for the heat source, a UTH (the pad) works fine. many US crabbers get the ultratherm, as they normally run a bit more warmer which is needed for the crabs. But I'm sure all brands would work.

(Would also recommend some shells if you don't have them already. Turbo shells are a good choice. )

Ah thank you for helping me identify him. My moms friend has an old tank in their basement that theyre bringing over tomorrow, so hopefully he can get in there by monday. My mom recently had an accident, but we're hoping to go shopping tomorrow. I'll keep ultratherm in mind but will check out the other options at the store just to kind of see whats all out there

Good tips here:
Joann's fabric sells a 3$ bag of various size green turbo's (preferred by the crabs)

Uth- This is your heating source ultratherms are the best and can be purchased at http://www.reptilebasics.com

Play sand and eco earth should be mixed for the substrate. Play sand at home depot 3$ a bag EE at local pet store!

Hope this helps good luck!

Sent from my LGMS330 using Tapatalk

My mom used to collect shells, but if I can't find any good ones out of her collection I'll buy that for sure
(addressed UTH in my reply already)
Yep, I used to buy play sand all the time for the rodents I kept, so I'm familiar with the kind of varieties sold. Hopefully picking up a bag tomorrow
Thank you!

If you want some nice food mixes check out "the hermit crab patch" and a store on Etsy called "the happy hermit supply" where I get my food mixes.

Galaxy s3 via tapatalk

I actually just ordered some sample packs from Hermie's Kitchen but I'll check those out next time I'm buying food!

[soilentgringa]

Hermie's Kitchen is amazing. You'll be pleased.

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

[Blackthorns]

Hermie's Kitchen is amazing. You'll be pleased.

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

Oh, good. My mom was really worried about it, so thats a huge relief.

UPDATE: got a second crab today, here is Celestine-

He's very sassy but skittish. Upon seeing the other crab he raised his claws like he was going on the attack... until the other one peaked out of the shell. Then Celestine ran for it and hid.
Heres the 10 gallon or so all set up for them-

In there is a salt water dish, fresh water dish, cuttlebone, food dish (with powder food, oyster cracker, bread, romaine lettuce, banana, millet, and a little dribble of coconut oil over it), plastic plant, moss, half log, wood climbing piece, and the meters which are reading at 78 degrees or so and 75% humidity. Theres six inches of play sand in there, which is at about sand castle texture (slightly drier but still moldable).

Extra shells will be gotten asap, as well as more enrichment for them, but at the moment I figured it was livable for them to be added.

[shanedaman112]

Looking good for your first setup. Take your time, but 75% humidity is ok, but a little low... It should probably be about 80% or higher. You should also have water bowls deep enough that your biggest can fully submerge in them. You can use needlepoint canvas or egg crate to build little ramps into them. Like I said, take your time, this is a far better tank than my first xD

[Blackthorns]

Looking good for your first setup. Take your time, but 75% humidity is ok, but a little low... It should probably be about 80% or higher. You should also have water bowls deep enough that your biggest can fully submerge in them. You can use needlepoint canvas or egg crate to build little ramps into them. Like I said, take your time, this is a far better tank than my first xD

I added some plastic wrap to the lid and the humidity has gotten up to 80% or so, so its leveling out pretty good. The water dishes are deep enough for them to get mostly submerged, but their eyes and shells will stick up a bit yet. I'm planning on getting deeper containers soon though, so that they can have more fun.