New Member & Three New Hermit Crabs

[Reynolds]

Hello,

I am fairly new to the group, my name is Connor. I just purchased my 3 hermit crabs, Ceonobita clypeatus, on 06APR23. I got everything roughly set up before I purchased them from a store. I live in Virginia Beach, so they sell them at the oceanfront stores, and I was going to rescue them from there, but it has been really dry lately, and low humidity. So I bought them from a store called pet supplies plus, the day after they came in. They also had a crab that was in about a 1.75-2 inch opening shell, and I am really tempted to get it; however, I am weary that my current set up is not suitable for it. But I'd hate to see it stuck in a smaller box with an inch of sub. I'd like your thoughts.

My three hermits are unnamed as of yet. I know that one is a male, he is in a green-ish coloured shell. The other two do not ever come out far enough to tell whether or not they have gonopores. All in due time.

I will add fotos of the tank and set up and would love recommendations.

The male in a green-ish shell is the most active. He explores and climbs, and one night he was climbing the silicone of the tank. ( I will number them for now, Crab 1)

The next, larger of the three, is moderately active. But only really moves in a circle. As well as the occasional interaction with the male. (Crab 2)

The third is a very dark colouration on the limbs, and lighter on the body. Seems very stressed, and hid in the flower pot for a day or 2, and then dug a slight hole on the other side of the tank, with it's shell still exposed. (Crab 3)

The tank is 30"L × 13"W × 12"H, hinged glass lid, and some masking tape sealing the gap at a point that maintains the humidity best. I have a light on a timer 0800-2000. And I try not to disturb them or use bright lights during the night hours. Other than the last few pictures that I took tonight.

I need to set up a shell shop, and get more shells for them, I will do that this week. Could use some pointers on the set up. I was going to replace the glass jar.

The temperature varies between 79-82°F, humidity is usually around 79-85%, staying at 83%, with occasional spikes of 90%.

The substrate is 5:1, play sand to eco earth. Moistened to sandcastle consistency.

For food I have been using freeze dried shrimp, apples, rolled oats, egg, egg shell, pecans, broccoli, dandelions and clover from my yard, carrots, peas, peppers, chicken, a drizzle of honey, and a drop of unsulfured blackstrap molasses. I keep a shell of organic worm castings as well. However, I don't notice them eating much.

I use prime water conditioner and instant ocean reef crystal, for the water dishes, they are deep enough for them to fully submerge, and have shelves under each for structure should one burrow under the bowls.

Please give me any advice, or ask any questions. I just want to help ensure they make it through PPS and have a successful first molt.

My apologies for packing in so much info into one post.

The fotos should be:
•Tank
•Crab 1 atop cholla wood
•Crab 2 aside cholla wood
•Crab 3 hiding in flower pot
•Crab 2 under cholla wood with Crab 1 behind
•the same scenario as before, captured from the side instead of head on
The next fotos were taken at 2300 tonight:
•Tank
•tonight's food
•Crab 1, doing whatever he's doing
•Crab 2, just chilling
•Crab 3, I was able to observe him/her dig that hole during their daylight hours

https://ibb.co/vjsntPH
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https://ibb.co/mvK8Sfg

[curlysister]

Welcome to crabbing and to the site!
Sounds like you have things under control so far!
As for the number of crabs you can have in a tank, check out our care sheet. It looks like you have a 20 gallon long tank. If you already have 3 crabs in it, I would probably not add another really big one - there isn't room in a 20 for a jumbo crab.

https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... 26&t=92541

[Reynolds]

Curly Sister,

Thank you, I just want to do what I can for them to live well. And I was thinking that I should not get the big one either, no matter how sad it is to see it in a 3.5 gallon box.

Any tips about a shell shop and about how or where to add a wheel?

[hermitsinnc]

Your tank looks great! The only thing I would add is more overall cover/plants/hiding places. Crabs tend to feel safer the more places they have to hide, and thus will be more active.


As far as a shell shop goes: I found a long, narrow plastic drawer organizer (with holes in the sides) that works really well as a shell shop.

For a wheel: I have a couple ideas. If you got a saucer-type, it should fit quite nicely right in front with very minimal moving of other stuff.
If you did want to try a vertical-type (which often has a metal stand, so you'd want to watch for rust,) it *might* fit behind the left water pool if you moved the flower pot that's there?

[GotButterflies]

Hi! I replied with bold GB

Hello,

I am fairly new to the group, my name is Connor. I just purchased my 3 hermit crabs, Ceonobita clypeatus, on 06APR23. I got everything roughly set up before I purchased them from a store. I live in Virginia Beach, so they sell them at the oceanfront stores, and I was going to rescue them from there, but it has been really dry lately, and low humidity. So I bought them from a store called pet supplies plus, the day after they came in. They also had a crab that was in about a 1.75-2 inch opening shell, and I am really tempted to get it; however, I am weary that my current set up is not suitable for it. But I'd hate to see it stuck in a smaller box with an inch of sub. I'd like your thoughts.

GB: TBH, when you purchase crabs from a store you really aren't rescuing. You are supporting the industry. When you get a larger tank, go under the adoption section, and go to "Crabs looking for a home" to find a crab in your area.

My three hermits are unnamed as of yet. I know that one is a male, he is in a green-ish coloured shell. The other two do not ever come out far enough to tell whether or not they have gonopores. All in due time.

I will add fotos of the tank and set up and would love recommendations.

The male in a green-ish shell is the most active. He explores and climbs, and one night he was climbing the silicone of the tank. ( I will number them for now, Crab 1)

GB: It takes time for crabs to adjust to their new environment.

The next, larger of the three, is moderately active. But only really moves in a circle. As well as the occasional interaction with the male. (Crab 2)

The third is a very dark colouration on the limbs, and lighter on the body. Seems very stressed, and hid in the flower pot for a day or 2, and then dug a slight hole on the other side of the tank, with it's shell still exposed. (Crab 3)

The tank is 30"L × 13"W × 12"H, hinged glass lid, and some masking tape sealing the gap at a point that maintains the humidity best. I have a light on a timer 0800-2000. And I try not to disturb them or use bright lights during the night hours. Other than the last few pictures that I took tonight.

GB: I would be very careful using a heating bulb with glass. Bulbs tend to crack glass. You are better to purchase an ultratherm heater and place it along the back of the tank. I recommend ultratherms from either reptilebasics.com or bean farm.com You would attach them using packing tape, duct tape or reflectix tape.

I need to set up a shell shop, and get more shells for them, I will do that this week. Could use some pointers on the set up. I was going to replace the glass jar.

GB: It's really easy to set up a second story "shell shop". I would recommend checking out Pinterest for ideas. If you keep shells on the first level crabs will bury shells they like.

The temperature varies between 79-82°F, humidity is usually around 79-85%, staying at 83%, with occasional spikes of 90%.

The substrate is 5:1, play sand to eco earth. Moistened to sandcastle consistency.

GB: How deep is your substrate? What did you moisten it with?

For food I have been using freeze dried shrimp, apples, rolled oats, egg, egg shell, pecans, broccoli, dandelions and clover from my yard, carrots, peas, peppers, chicken, a drizzle of honey, and a drop of unsulfured blackstrap molasses. I keep a shell of organic worm castings as well. However, I don't notice them eating much.

GB: Hermit crabs can eat a lot of the same things that we eat. Just check to make sure the item is on the safe list. Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
You also want to provide one or more calcium sources at all times. Examples would be Cuttlebone, Organic Eggshell, Oyster Shell, Lobster Exo, Shrimp Exo.
Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid
Safe food list:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... 25&t=92557
Unsafe food list:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... 25&t=92556
Food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554

I use prime water conditioner and instant ocean reef crystal, for the water dishes, they are deep enough for them to fully submerge, and have shelves under each for structure should one burrow under the bowls.

Please give me any advice, or ask any questions. I just want to help ensure they make it through PPS and have a successful first molt.

My apologies for packing in so much info into one post.

GB No apologies needed! We are here to help you!!!

[Reynolds]

Hermitsinnc,

Thank you so much for the ideas! I'm not sure yet if I'll do the saucer or standing, in that front area is where I put the shells for the food usually. But I may rearrange a bit for that then.

.....................................................................................................

GotButterflies,

Thank you for your replies. In regards to the helping the industry bit, you've got a pretty good point.
In regards to heating and lighting, I use heat tape along the back of the tank for the primary source, it is on a 3degree fluctuation thermostat set to keep the tank around 80°F. Then for lighting, I am currently using an IKEA desk lamp that I had, it doesn't get to hot, and the base of it sets upon the glass lid to keep them from lifting it up, as well as a Lego TIE Bomber, and a bottle of water. The light is utilising a Christmas tree timer set to 12 hour intervals.

In regards to the shells and shop, that is really cool! I didn't know that they would Bury the ones that they like, are they saving them for later? I thought they would hide the ones that were not preferable.

Regarding substrate, it is or was roughly 6 inches deep everywhere except where the water dishes are, then the Crabs came in and its all over the place, there's a lower area under the cholla wood that is laying down. And I moistened it with Prime treated fresh water.

Regards to the calcium source, right now I have a Cuttlebone vertical in the sand at all times.

Thank you for all of your help.

-Reynolds

[GotButterflies]

In regards to the shells and shop, that is really cool! I didn't know that they would Bury the ones that they like, are they saving them for later? I thought they would hide the ones that were not preferable.

-Reynolds

That's what I have always found to be the case. I've even had hermit drop shells off of the third story shell shop and bury them...