HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Posted: **Sun Dec 29, 2019 12:23 pm**

Hi, my name is Brenna and my boyfriend and I just got a hermit crab, I know we need a humidity gauge and stuff but I was wondering what else we would need?

Posted: **Sun Dec 29, 2019 12:25 pm**

Also, how do I put an image in here? I was going to put up a picture of the aquarium we have him in.

Posted: **Sun Dec 29, 2019 12:41 pm**

Hi and welcome!

Check out the general care sheet from the HCA:
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic? ... source=app
This should help get you started.

To post pics, download the Tapatalk app. It will allow you to upload pics just like you would on a text message.

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Posted: **Sun Dec 29, 2019 12:53 pm**

Thank you crabby, also is it possible my hermit’s shell is too big? The pet store had him and he appears to be almost dragging it sometimes, do I need to get him anything smaller?

Posted: **Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:23 pm**

Brenna7503 wrote:Thank you crabby, also is it possible my hermit’s shell is too big? The pet store had him and he appears to be almost dragging it sometimes, do I need to get him anything smaller?

You're welcome! The HCA recommends having 3-5 extra shells per crab. It is a definite possibility the shell is too large, but it may have been the only one he had to choose from. I always make sure to have shells that are a little smaller, the same size, and a little bigger than their current shell. This way they have a wide range of options to choose from. Is he in a painted shell? If he is and he changes shells, make sure to throw away the painted shell. The paint can be toxic for them. If you have a purple pincher hermit crab (they have a big purple claw), they tend to prefer shells with round openings. Shells that have lacquer or gloss on them are also bad.

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Posted: **Sun Dec 29, 2019 2:05 pm**

Read all the care guides on here. There is a lot to know! Foods, waters, heat and humidity...it goes on and on! There's even a link on how to install the UTH on the back of the tank!

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Posted: **Sun Dec 29, 2019 10:28 pm**

Agree with the others! The care guides are where it's at. There's a lot to know about these little guys, and once you get everything figured out, they become super addicting.

Posted: **Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:09 am**

I got a second one today, I believe they are both purple pinchers as they have big purple claws, they were both from the same pet store, petsmart, and it was so sad they had like ten to fifteen hermits in the same little aquarium, it wasn’t even a ten gallon it was so small and most of the empty shells they had in it were extremely tiny, any idea where I can get some non extremely expensive shells? I will never buy a painted one, I already knew that was dangerous, PetSmart was selling them and the sales associate tried to sell me one (which were $3 per shell by the way) and the non painted ones were more expensive than that, it was like they’re trying to get you to buy the painted shells and on top of that they kept trying to get me to buy the commercial food, I have some grapes in their aquarium now, How do I know if they’re eating them? Also they seem to be avoiding each other.

Posted: **Mon Dec 30, 2019 7:11 am**

Brenna7503 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:09 am
I got a second one today, I believe they are both purple pinchers as they have big purple claws, they were both from the same pet store, petsmart, and it was so sad they had like ten to fifteen hermits in the same little aquarium, it wasn’t even a ten gallon it was so small and most of the empty shells they had in it were extremely tiny, any idea where I can get some non extremely expensive shells? I will never buy a painted one, I already knew that was dangerous, PetSmart was selling them and the sales associate tried to sell me one (which were $3 per shell by the way) and the non painted ones were more expensive than that, it was like they’re trying to get you to buy the painted shells and on top of that they kept trying to get me to buy the commercial food, I have some grapes in their aquarium now, How do I know if they’re eating them? Also they seem to be avoiding each other.

You can get shells on etsy. You go by the measurement of the inside of the opening. They eat very little so it may look like they're not eating. Did you read through the safe/unsafe food lists? They need calcium and protein daily.

Posted: **Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:30 am**

I did, and I bought this river shrimp stuff at the store, but after reading all of the stuff here I’m not Sure I want to give them to them, is it safe? Or should I throw it away?

Posted: **Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:36 am**

What are the ingredients in the shrimp stuff?
Hermit crabs can eat much of what we eat - the care sheets explain what they need (ie- protein and calcium daily) as well as what is safe.
I have ordered shells from Naples Sea Shells in the past, the small ones are very reasonably priced.

Posted: **Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:46 am**

The ingredients just say crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture.

Posted: **Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:21 am**

The shrimp are likely to be 100% freeze dried (or dried) shrimp. Probably from zoomed. They are fine, and I regularly feed them to my crabs.

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Posted: **Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:35 pm**

Brenna7503 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:09 am
I got a second one today, I believe they are both purple pinchers as they have big purple claws, they were both from the same pet store, petsmart, and it was so sad they had like ten to fifteen hermits in the same little aquarium, it wasn’t even a ten gallon it was so small and most of the empty shells they had in it were extremely tiny, any idea where I can get some non extremely expensive shells? I will never buy a painted one, I already knew that was dangerous, PetSmart was selling them and the sales associate tried to sell me one (which were $3 per shell by the way) and the non painted ones were more expensive than that, it was like they’re trying to get you to buy the painted shells and on top of that they kept trying to get me to buy the commercial food, I have some grapes in their aquarium now, How do I know if they’re eating them? Also they seem to be avoiding each other.

I got abunch of shells from Naples Seashell Company. A tiny bit bigger than expected but they were all great quality and packaged well. There’s a standard shipping fee so make sure you get it all on the first order.

Alternatively, certain dollar stores sell sacks of shells for $1 that include little green turbos suited for small/medium crabs.

Good luck on your new venture! It can be very fun and rewarding to learn all about these lil crabs

Edit: for profanity

Posted: **Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:51 pm**

I get 90% of my shells from Naples seashells because they are so user friendly and there's no guesswork

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HCA: Hermit Crab Association

New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.

Re: New hermit owner, need help with habitat.