New to the hermie world

[paigenswim]

Hello! I am new (2 months in) to this so bare with me...I bought four hermit crabs for my 8 year old son annnnd I quickly becoming obsessed. as of now they are in a small 5.5 gallon tank, with 6 inch substrate-80%hermit crab sand, 20% ee. They have a cork log for climbing and hiding in with some moss inside. Small salt water bath. And freshwater for drinking and of course food.
After struggling with humidity for a month; I replaced my hydrometer and quickly realized the humidity was 90% all along. My problem is, three of them stay burrowed all the time. I haven’t seen them for a while. Is this normal, when the humidity is ok? There is no foul smells (dead is what I am hinting at) so I’m fairly certain they are ok. I just worry that they don’t eat or get water.
I want to move them to a 20 gallon tank soon so I am trying to wait for them to come out.

Eventually I want to get some strawberry hermit crabs.

Thank you in advance.
Let me know if I am not posting this where it should be. I am new to the forum and want to do it right.

[Pebbles]

They are most likely fine. They like to burrow which is why it is important to have the right depth.
Four hermies in a 5.5 gal is too crowded. They need atleast a 10gal tank. The humidity is fine. They might just be destressing. They're ok because they could go for months without food.


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[Hermiesguardian]

Welcome! As Pebbles said your tank is too small. Even a 10 gallon is too small for four. Sounds like you're on track with the other stuff. It takes alot of patience caring for hermit crabs. Sometimes they can all be down at the same time and you're left with pet sand. Just never dig for them.

[DinkDonk]

Welcome aboard! I'm also relatively new, and I've had about 4-5 hours of hermit crab research on my head. I also agree that they like to burrow at times, and they may seem to do that to hide at times and sometimes to stay warm, but I'm sure you have a nice and toasty temperature in there! It is a bit crowded in there, I must second. I'm going to get 3 small PPs, but so far I only have the budget and room for a 10 gallon for them, so I'm going to save up for a larger one soon.

Feel free to as around and talk with us, that's what we're here for. We hope you enjoy your little guys and happy crabbing!

[curlysister]

Here's the link to the care sheet about size of tank/ size of crab/ how many:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 26&t=92541

[paigenswim]

Thanks guys! Yes. I agree my 5.5 tank is too small. As I stated I want to move them to a bigger take (20gallon) but the buggers won’t come out. Haha. That’s my only problem as of now. Haha. I found a locate pet store that employees a girl who has several hermit crabs. She has helped me a lot.

[Hermiesguardian]

Thanks guys! Yes. I agree my 5.5 tank is too small. As I stated I want to move them to a bigger take (20gallon) but the buggers won’t come out. Haha. That’s my only problem as of now. Haha. I found a locate pet store that employees a girl who has several hermit crabs. She has helped me a lot.

While you're waiting for them to come up get the 20gal up and running. As they come up you can transfer them over. Otherwise, waiting for them to come up all at one time, you might be waiting for a long time. It's like the game whack a mole. 4 go down, 3 come up. 2 come up, 1 goes down.

[paigenswim]

While you're waiting for them to come up get the 20gal up and running. As they come up you can transfer them over. Otherwise, waiting for them to come up all at one time, you might be waiting for a long time. It's like the game whack a mole. 4 go down, 3 come up. 2 come up, 1 goes down.

that is a good idea, because my luck...it will be exactly as you explained. Haha

[scuttlecrusty22]

Welcome to the HCA!!! It is always very "crabulous" to have new members!!! I have almost had my 2 little dudes for a year now, they are interesting little boogers. Hope you enjoy your little guys!

[DevilNDisguise]

It's very addictive! I thought I'd be fine with the first four I took home last year... but that was not the case and still isn't, which is why I just upgraded to a 75g.

Good luck with yours, and I definitely agree with the others. Have both set up and the new one ready, that way when anyone surfaces, you can take them out. That's what I just had to do when transferring from my 20.