5 new PP Hermit Crabs!!

[alicrabs2003]

Hi, I just got 5 new Hermit Crabs and I put them in a 10 gallon tank with 6 inches of play sand and eco earth mix. I have two bowls for them one a food bowl and one a water bowl. I have a water dechlorinator and sponges in the water. I gave them a wood hut big enough for all of them to fit and a block of wood about three inches wide and two inches tall. I have a heating pad placed on the wall of the tank and extra shells for them to move into. Would you recommend i need anything else? I just got them a couple days ago and 3 of them are completely underground where i cant see them... are they molting? Nothing stinks in my cage and I've been giving them carrots and straberries to eat along with the hermit food i bought for them. Also i have no lid for my tank... do you have any suggestions for me to use as a lid before i can save up money to buy one? I was also wondering if they need salt water to survive... and if so where would i get salt for them that will not harm them?

[curlysister]

Please look at the information in the 'Care Sheets, Guides, and FAQ' section. It answers your questions and more! It's full of info about proper crab care.

You will need a thermometer/ hygrometer gauge so that you know the temperature and humidity in the tank. The substrate (play sand/ EE mix) needs to be wet enough to hold shape, like a sandcastle (so when they tunnel, the tunnel will not collapse). They definitely need marine salt water. Safe brands of dechlorinator and salt can be found in the care guides, and depending where you live as to whether you can find them in a pet store or online (Instant Ocean is a popular brand for marine salt). Many of us don't use sponges, but the crabs do need a way to safely get in and out of the pools. My first tank had no lid either - I covered the top with saran wrap! A nice cheap way to keep humidity in, you can fold back a corner to let humidity/ heat out if needed (according to the gauges). Safe foods and the food pyramid are also in the Care Guides. Pellets are not good long term (even if they say they are for Hermit Crabs, and if the pet store people said they were, LOL).

The crabs that are under might be molting or de-stressing. No way to know until the come back up. Do not dig them up, even if it's a few months before you see them again. In the future, you will need to consider your tank size. As they grow, they will need more room, and a 10 gallon will not be large enough.

[aussieJJDude]

Going from above, a vast majority of the store brought foods are not suitable for crabs, which contain a lot of preservatives. I would encourage you to look up whats best to keep vs throw out, since only a select few brands are safe to offer.

[piratetoothgir]

Hi, here's the link for the caresheet thread.
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... m.php?f=51

I also have provided the caresheet for Purple Pincher as well.
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 51&t=92452