HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello, this is my first day on the forum and I just bought my first two crabs yesterday.
They are kept in a ten gallon aquarium with a plastic lid that is propped up for ventilation. Humidity is around 95% and temperature is around 77. They have a fresh water and a salt water bowl that has been dechlorinated. They each have a hide and plenty of climbing equipment. The tank is heated by an 8-watt UTH on the side of the tank. The substrate is around 3 inches deep and is eco-earth. I feed them dried whole shrimp, all living things variety diet, and carrots. One was eating last night but other than that, they have not moved at all. One has sat in the same spot since late last night.
Is there anything I am doing wrong? If so, what is it? Also, is this behavior normal?

Crab beginner wrote:Hello, this is my first day on the forum and I just bought my first two crabs yesterday.
They are kept in a ten gallon aquarium with a plastic lid that is propped up for ventilation. Humidity is around 95% and temperature is around 77. They have a fresh water and a salt water bowl that has been dechlorinated. They each have a hide and plenty of climbing equipment. The tank is heated by an 8-watt UTH on the side of the tank. The substrate is around 3 inches deep and is eco-earth. I feed them dried whole shrimp, all living things variety diet, and carrots. One was eating last night but other than that, they have not moved at all. One has sat in the same spot since late last night.
Is there anything I am doing wrong? If so, what is it? Also, is this behavior normal?

Hi! Welcome to the HCA. Going from the beach to a pet store to a new tank can be pretty stressful. Your crabs could just be stressed. Watch for things like ditched shells or dropped limbs, but otherwise let them be for now. I wouldn't be too concerned. Peanut sat and hung out for a while when I first got him.

Your substrate is a little shallow. The HCA recommends 6", or 3 times as deep as your biggest crab. Whichever is deeper wins.

What kind of saltwater and dechlorinator are you using? A lot of dechlorinators, including ones marketed for hermit crabs, don't do the best job. Same for salt.

I'm not sure about the All Living Things food, but offering a selection of food is a good idea. I have a homemade dry mix I leave down all the time, and I offer fresh food at night. Check out the Safe Food List! https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 25&t=92557

I agree with making the substrate deeper. Many of us use a mixture of 5 parts playsand to 1 part EE, it keeps the 'sandcastle' consistency well when moist.

Have you read through the 'care sheets' section? Lots of good info there, as well as at the beginning of each of the sections (ie- crabitat conditions, molting, shells, etc)