New crab owner - introducing new crabs

[Kellykoala333]

Hi everyone!

I’m a new hermit crab owner, I have recently joined this page and have had really helpful advice on getting my tank to be the best it can be for my hermit crabs. I currently have 2 in a 10 gallon tank but am planning on upgrading to possibly a 20 or 30 gallon tank.

My question is, is there anything specific I need to do when introducing new hermit crabs to my existing two? I’d like to get them some more friends.

I’m worried if I mix male and female their may be hermit crab babies and I definitely don’t want that! I haven’t been able to tell what gender mine are yet, and I know that if you look at the bottom and they have two dots they are female but I have had a hard time seeing the bottom of them! Has anyone had problems mixing male and female or are people not worried about that? I’m super paranoid there’s going to be crab babies.

I’ve heard that keeping them similar in size Is good, but does it matter? Can you mix crabs if different types together?

I have so many questions! Haha so far my two crabs I have I got from the same place and they get along really well.

Thanks for any advice!

K

[curlysister]

Hello and welcome to crabbing!
To introduce a new crab, many people will dip both the old and new into the fresh water for a quick dip - then they all smell the same and nobody seems like a 'newbie'.
Many people keep crabs of varying sizes with success. This way there isn't competition over the same shells.
As for babies, it is very hard to raise crabs in captivity. Many people have had eggs, but they don't make it to land. I have never bothered sexing my crabs, LOL.

[Kellykoala333]

Thank you @curlysister! That makes me feel better. I was trying to look around on Craigslist and stuff that way I could get a crab that needs a new home but haven’t found many in my area. I’ve looked at a couple of petstores but I haven’t really seen any that have healthy looking crabs yet. I’ll keep looking!

Is there a good way to pick a crab? I got lucky with mine. They were both a good size and had a nice bright color. Not sure if that’s the best way to tell crab healthiness?

Also, I know crabs all have different personalities but I’ve noticed one crab is up and awake most of the day and night not necessarily moving around all day but seems alert and kinda chilling. My other one is cute but super skiddish. Hides most of the day and comes out for a little at night. I feel like my crab that’s more alert and hanging out is probably lonely as the other crab just hides all of the time. I might be overthinking it but I just want them to be happy haha!

Thanks!

K