HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So I bought a fairly small Hermit Crab in Ocean City Maryland! (Not sure of its Sex but I’m referring to it as a ‘he’) so I live in New Hampshire, so he had a pretty long car ride back. I bought him under the idea that Hermit Crabs were easy pets and after a few google searches I found out that isn’t the case but I took the challenge to give this little guy a great life because he is my responsibility now!
So I got him set up: 10 gallon tank, both fresh water and salt water dishes and a food dish! I set up his tank and set him in there and left him alone because I assumed he was very stressed with all the movement and such. I slowly added to his tank, he now has fake plants, a little hut, and climbing sticks, along with some moss! I have a small heater and temp/humidity gauges on each end of the tank. And I mist him daily or when his humidity drops.
After a few days I noticed sand in his water bowl and I was so happy! Because that meant he came out during the night. But his food never seems to be touched, I bought the pellet food with meal worms and shrimp in it, he is a smaller crab so I ground it up for him and added a little calcium powder. But it never seems to be touched. He did molt since I got him and yet he is always hiding. I stay up most of the night normally and he never comes out. If I take him out of hiding he will soak himself and climb around until he finds his way back to his hut to hide. When I go to grab him he is always buried deep in the sand under his moss, before I got the temp gauges I thought he was just cold but the temps are fine! I don’t know why he still hides so much! Anyone have an idea?


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Congratulations on your new crab. I'm glad you have his temp and humidity right. It should be around 80/80. You may not notice him eating since they don't eat alot and they norm do it when we're not looking lol. The most important thing is never take him out of hiding. That will actually stress him out plus if he wants to molt, it would kill him possibly. Please read the care sheet on here in the forum about basic care. They need atleast 3x deep the amount of substrate then they are(of crab is an inch atleast 4inch) I use 5parts kids play sand from hardware store and 1 part coconut fiber but that's just me, others use just sand and diff mixes. Are you treating the fresh water and salt? That's on the care sheet too. It's a great source for basic info on here. Most crabs are stressed when they arrive, just think of what they went through to be here. You should keep proper Carr and leave him alone. He should come around. Def. Try let him have his space. I know it's alot at first. Crabs are harder then most ppl realize (me included) they are worth it though! This is a great place for info and questions. Also make sure he has atleast 3 shells that aren't painted. There is a shell care sheet too. After you read the basics let us know if you have any questions. The ppl here are wonderful and will be happy to help. I've learned alot on here myself and I thought I was pretty knowledgeable before hand lol. (Aussie dude,crabby77,motorcrab,curly are a few of the best ppl if they say it, you can bet on the advice) keep me posted. Don't worry, you already care alot and that makes for a great crabgiver hahah!

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Here's a link to the care guide forum viewtopic.php?f=120&t=119273#p1072305

Wonderful! Hermit crabs are such enjoyable pets

Most important thing I’ve learned here is to never dig up a crab. He wants to be under there for a reason so best to let him be…same with the hides. He keeps going back bc that’s where he wants to be. Trust his little instincts and TRY not to worry (we’ve all been there). Sounds like he has great conditions…that’s all we can do for them!


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