HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi I'm pretty much a new crab owner. I have PTSD and wanted to try crabs for emotional support for my loneliness. I had one as a kid I just thought I'd experiment with a couple as an adult and see how it goes. They were out of cages at the local store there was just one little critter keeper left I know it's not big enough for a pair of crabs but I needed a travel container anyway. I'll try to show a pic I set up their bedding with sand and the earthy sulfate. I have extra sponges and food I guess all the supplies I need enough bedding to fill a ten gallon maybe twice and should have plenty of water conditioner. So I have a booklet on their diet and I think I can figure that out but I havent bought extra shells yet. The kit came with one shell I'm a little like I dont know how many shells will my two crabs need just around their ten gallon tank or anyone has ideas about shells or especially how do I know the right size. I am planning I ten gallon habitat for 2 crabs I just have critter keeper set up for when they first come home the store was out of tanks. So I am a little confused about what I'll be doing with these crabs...I have no clue what the salt water is for the kit came with regular water conditioner and salt water conditioner so I ordered extra of both. So I'm trying to read these care sheets. Cali and Loki will be here any day. I consider them gender neutral I have no clue what else they'd be. I was like an 8 year old when I had a hermit crab named yeah "Herman" which was also my friends name. So any advice, thx.

Welcome to crabbing. I wouldn't trust the info the store gave you, unfortunately most stores don't know much about crab care.
Start with the 'basics' care sheet, that pretty much gives all the info you need on one page.

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I had my two in a ten gallon for the first two or three years, then upgraded to a twenty gallon for a couple of years, then was lucky enough to be given a 55 gallon for free.

Curlery is right about care sheet. If you look under forums they have all kinds of info, o. Food, shells,types crabs etc.. I would get atleast 3shells each but to be honest I feel more is better. If they are close to the same size Def. Get more to avoid shell envy. To know what size you need you go by the opening(not the act shell) I have some that are the same size and I have some slightly bigger. My crabs are various sizes so shell fighing hasn't been an issue so far and if you have alot you should be fine. I feel this site has the best, most accurate info. There is alot of contradictory info out there.you can always ask any questions no matter how silly you think they are or how many you ask. Everyone here is super nice.

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It’s sad that the stores don’t provide the proper care instruction. Same with the food…you don’t want to give them “hermit crab food”. This is a wonderful place to get all the info you’ll need. I have 6 thriving hermies bc of the HCA!


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I agree casse. The worse thing is there is so much info out there, most of which is contradictory. I went nuts when I first started with crabs again. When I was younger, I had my mom plus little was know compared to now. Even now, I still have to look up stuff on here. I actually had one petsmart person insist I don't use calcium sand and the other 2min later tell me I need it. Honestly, I dobt even blame them. They are norm just high-school kids going off of what they read online too. I recommend this site to everyone now. It's got the best info and some of the nicest and knowledgeable people too.

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