HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi, I'm currently the proud owner of 2 hermies from the pet store. I'm on vacation right now, and sadly I've seen countless hermit crabs for sale. I want to buy one so it's removed from those horrible conditions, but I'm nervous that the new crab can cause my others to get sick or die.

I do not have an isolation tank or medication for my crabs.

Should I buy one or leave em be?

Leave them. Don't support the industry. It's great that you want to save them, but it's better to boycott the industry.

I would also leave them. Buy one and they’ll just bring in more to replace it.


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But if you would like to get one, anything can serve as a temporary iso, really. Rubbermaid totes or boxes; as long as you get in them once a day they should be fine, or otherwise make holes.
Boycotting the industry would be great, but it’s impossible to do completely and still keep crabs. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about that. Adopting is of course the best course to adding to your crew, if you can find someone in your area.
However, all that said, the beach really is the worst place for keeping and selling crabs in horrible conditions, giving terrible care advice, and mistreating them in between.
So, it’s up to you, if you fall in love with one of them then you can sort the rest out when you get home. You shouldn’t need to iso him for very long, unless you think something is wrong with them. Good luck and enjoy your trip!


Dave the Wondercrab~Pat~MaggieMoo~Billy~
Pop~Corn~Ten~Sam~Tim~Gene My PP clan

Let it go. Check out the adoption page on here if you'd like to add to your crabby family. I understand how you feel!

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Adding new crabs is one of those things, that regardless of where you're getting the new individual from, can your tank support another crab? Once they grow, will the tank accommodate 3 or more larger crabs?

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If you live somewhere that doesn't have hermit crabs up for adoption that often and you want to get one quickly it should be fine. I read on some website that someone who was in charge said "that it was always order more crabs". Not how many were bought, taken, stayed, or passed. It was just buy more crabs. anyways, look for one that is not in a painted shell (if there is any), no lost limbs, loooks healthy, and it is probably better if they have been there for a week or less. The crabs I got were only ther for like 1 or 2 days, and they all survived (including my brother's). I think it is recommended to adopt one though. I hope it goes well!