HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi members of HCA. I'm new to crab proper crab owning. I've checked the guides and set up a 10 gallon with 6 inches of 1/2 playland 1/2 EE, a heat mat on the side of the tank. I also have 15 different sized shells. Honestly have been lurking since October while I made sure everything was good. I still have many questions, though. I have two crabs that I just got on Thursday, a small one in a green turbo who I have named Spencer and a medium named King's Arms who is in a brown and white snail shell and has buried under deep. He is in the corner that I designated to be the most pit. Spencer likes to go over there too. Should I be worried that Spencer is always digging in the same spot where my medium crab is buried? If King's Arms is molting, will Spencer possibly eat him even though he(Spencer) is smaller?

I have provided salt water( instant ocean mixed with bottled water that was purified by RO- I just ordered some Prime so I am waiting on that.) And freshwater. In the food bowl currently is apple, shrimp, eggshells, orange pepper, cherries, and chia seeds. I saw my small crab carry away some eggshell this morning.

Welcome to the HCA!

No, you shouldn’t be worried. Hermit crabs tend to tunnel before they molt, so there’s a good chance your two will never meet underground.


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Welcome! You've definitely done your research.

I wouldn't worry about Spencer digging up King's Arm. When hermit crabs dig down, they don't tend to molt in that exact spot. They can create insane tunnel systems beneath the surface and will typically "test" their cave that they want to molt in, sometimes for days or even weeks until they feel that it's right and safe enough to do so.

As long as you're feeding the crabs a well-balanced diet with plenty of protein, you shouldn't have to worry about anyone eating each other.

Welcome to the HCA! We are always so happy to have new members! Don't ever be afraid to ask as many questions as you want!

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Everyone else has offered very good advice already, so just wanting to say welcome to HCA!

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Yep, welcome!
I have had my crabs for over 9 years. The only time one dug the other up was when I didn't have enough substrate - I had upgraded tanks and the crabs had grown , and it wasn't at least three times as deep as my largest crab.

Thank you everyone! I haven't exactly seen my guys because they come out at night, but the water gets dirty and sometimes when I lift the lid to mist one may be out and immediately go into his shell. I just got my prime and cholla in the mail along with some goodies I bought like Greensand, spirulina powder, mealworms, oyster shell, crab shell, chicken heart, things like that, so I'm sure they will have a balanced diet while In my care.
I may not see them much but the satisfaction of caring for them and making sure they are healthy is enough for me.

You need to get a Wyze cam so you can watch them at night!

curlysister wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:15 am

You need to get a Wyze cam so you can watch them at night!

This for sure!! They can seem difficult as 'pets' being nocturnal and all, but the best thing I've done was buy a Wyze cam off Amazon. I'll be watching TV or whatever in the living room and able to watch them (they're pretty funny tbh) from the moment it gets dark until I decide to get some sleep myself lol.

Definitely makes it worth it to watch their behavior, how they interact with others, what they like/dislike in the crabitat, which foods they really enjoy, etc. Right now I have just one up with the rest molting and he has some fun times having the whole tank to himself right now lol. Was well worth the 20 bucks and is a great camera for the price.

Anyway, welcome and best of luck with everything!

I looked into that and was actually very surprised it was such an affordable camera.
Last night my guys trashed the place woke up and there was substrate covering their food dish.
Also. A question about prime. Is there a way to make sure it is actually removing the chlorine? I'm surprised just 2 drops can treat a gallon of water. Should I just follow the instructions? Is there a such thing as adding TOO MUCH prime? The same also goes for the instant ocean salt mix.

Marchflowers wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:06 am

I looked into that and was actually very surprised it was such an affordable camera.
Last night my guys trashed the place woke up and there was substrate covering their food dish.
Also. A question about prime. Is there a way to make sure it is actually removing the chlorine? I'm surprised just 2 drops can treat a gallon of water. Should I just follow the instructions? Is there a such thing as adding TOO MUCH prime? The same also goes for the instant ocean salt mix.

I would assume by following the directions it will work. It's crazy. And I heard you can't really over do it. Like if you put in a few more tiny drops than just one.

There is such a thing as using too much Instant Ocean - you don`t want the salt water too strong. The instructions are correct.

I use water testing kits for both salt and fresh every once in awhile, and the 2 drops actually work. I even bought a cheap plastic eye dropper to be more accurate.

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