New Crab Owner

[vkcooper]

Hi! We are unexpected new hermit crab owners. My son's little friend brought him a hermit crab from Galveston, and we really want to care for it and hopefully have it live a long time. I bought a glass 10-gallon container and all the goodies at the pet store. The container came with white sand and a soil brick. I have it setup with half sand and half of the soil. I have a dish with salt water, one with fresh water with a sponge in it, and one with food and a tiny mineral block that came with the container. I got a small log he can hide under, a little climbing thing, and a thermometer for humidity and temp. I also got a couple extra shells but they look too big. Should I get some smaller ones?

He is a tiny thing. Doesn't move around much, but he's definitely alive. None of the pet stores have any hermit crabs so this weekend a friend will attempt to bring me another from Galveston so he can have a friend. Will he not move around at first? Does he need more water?

Can someone tell me what kind of hermit crab it is? We really want this little fella to live so any advice is welcome!

Thank you so much! Excited to be a part of this community.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q2tCqG ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/102aAbD ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mzNHSv ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sbGo38 ... sp=sharing

[jonathon1989]

Welcome to the Hermit Crab Association.

You are on track with the set up you have provided. Try providing shells close to the size of the crab and at least five shells per crab.

When you first buy a crab they will adapt to the tank. Usually hiding or borrowing since most of them are unable to molt because of a lack of bedding in the pet stores. It is important not to handle or touch the crab within the first twenty four hours.

I recommend reading our care sheets and resources. They have a wealth of information.

viewforum.php?f=120

Jonathon

[vkcooper]

Thanks for replying! Are you able to see the pics I posted in the links above? Maybe you can tell me what kind of hermit crab it is. I fixed the links, they weren't accessible to everyone but hopefully are now. Thanks!

[vkcooper]

Welcome to the Hermit Crab Association.

You are on track with the set up you have provided. Try providing shells close to the size of the crab and at least five shells per crab.

When you first buy a crab they will adapt to the tank. Usually hiding or borrowing since most of them are unable to molt because of a lack of bedding in the pet stores. It is important not to handle or touch the crab within the first twenty four hours.

I recommend reading our care sheets and resources. They have a wealth of information.

viewforum.php?f=120

Jonathon

Thanks for replying! Are you able to see the pics I posted in the links above? Maybe you can tell me what kind of hermit crab it is. I fixed the links, they weren't accessible to everyone but hopefully are now. Thanks!

[jonathon1989]

Thanks for replying! Are you able to see the pics I posted in the links above? Maybe you can tell me what kind of hermit crab it is. I fixed the links, they weren't accessible to everyone but hopefully are now. Thanks!

Hi VKCooper,

I have gotten the pictures and am researching. I will get back to asap when I have info.

[aussieJJDude]

I can say that the hermie in the picture isn't a land hermit crab, and is a marine species. They do best is marine aquariums set up for marine fish type of thing.



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[jonathon1989]

I can say that the hermie in the picture isn't a land hermit crab, and is a marine species. They do best is marine aquariums set up for marine fish type of thing.



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Thank you Aussie! To add to what he said, I would immediately get the hermit crab placed into a saltwater tank. This is a link to marine hermir crab care. If the marine hermit crab is not placed into water it will not survive. https://saltycorals.com/keeping-saltwater-hermit-crabs

[vkcooper]

I can say that the hermie in the picture isn't a land hermit crab, and is a marine species. They do best is marine aquariums set up for marine fish type of thing.



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Oh no!! What should we do? Should I try to send him back to the beach? Ugh, I'm so sad now!!

[jonathon1989]

Oh no!! What should we do? Should I try to send him back to the beach? Ugh, I'm so sad now!!

It depends if hermit crabs are native to the area. In the meantime try to find a way to place the hermit crab In saltwater. The saltwater you have for drinking could used. We have an adoption page also here on the HCA. I encourgwe you to check it out before releasing him into the wild.

[vkcooper]

It depends if hermit crabs are native to the area. In the meantime try to find a way to place the hermit crab In saltwater. The saltwater you have for drinking could used. We have an adoption page also here on the HCA. I encourgwe you to check it out before releasing him into the wild.

I posted on Facebook and a kind soul who lived nearby has a 100 gallon saltwater tank so he drove to our home with a fishbowl full of sand and saltwater. He is currently in there and moving a lot. If he makes it until Sunday then he will bring us more of his saltwater and guide us on how to set up our own 10 gallon tank. Thank you so much for your help in this!!

[jonathon1989]

I posted on Facebook and a kind soul who lived nearby has a 100 gallon saltwater tank so he drove to our home with a fishbowl full of sand and saltwater. He is currently in there and moving a lot. If he makes it until Sunday then he will bring us more of his saltwater and guide us on how to set up our own 10 gallon tank. Thank you so much for your help in this!!

Im so happy to hear that!!! That is an amazing thing that person did. Im glad you were able to get the help and rescources you needed.


Jonathon

[jonathon1989]

Hi Vkcopper,

How is your marine hermit crab doing?

[vkcooper]

Hi Vkcopper,

How is your marine hermit crab doing?

Hi! He’s doing well so far! We set up a 30 gallon tank with saltwater, live rock, and live sand. He’s been moving around, I haven’t seen him eat but he may be eating. Thanks so much for checking up on him!

[jonathon1989]

Hi! He’s doing well so far! We set up a 30 gallon tank with saltwater, live rock, and live sand. He’s been moving around, I haven’t seen him eat but he may be eating. Thanks so much for checking up on him!

I'm so happy to hear he is doing well! Sounds like he has a lot of room to move around. Hermit Crabs eat very little. Sometimes it looks like they don't eat the food we give them but they do eat very small amounts of food.