New first time crab owner- thank you for the info!

Lauren.mcvey · Post by **Lauren.mcvey** » Thu Jun 08, 2023 5:42 am

Hi All
I am a new first time crab owner as of last week. I just wanted to take a minute and post a THANK YOU for all of the amazingly helpful information on this board. I particularly like the effort to welcome new members and give them supportive and not judgemental information. I have two medium sized crabs (I think PP?) in a 20 gallon long and (thanks to this forum), I think I have (with a LOT of changes) achieved somewhat ideal crabitat conditions for my two new hermies in terms of depth of substrate, humidity, heat, nutrition, both salt and fresh water, etc. I still have a few additional purchases to make (IE-glass top vs the syran wrap/wet towel method and I need to get a second, digital, hygrometer) but am making steady progress thanks to this forum. They were not in ideal conditions when I got them (it looked like 1-2 inches of substrate, low humidity, no fresh food, seemingly no shell store etc, no heater, etc), and since getting them they have both tunneled under ground. I am resisting the temptation to dig them up thanks to this forum, but I am hoping they are either coming up when I am asleep (I caught one of them up early in the AM one morning, exploring the tank) and/or are molting after not being able to for who knows how long.
Just wanted to pass along my gratitude for the enthusiasts on the forum! I am sure if my hermit crabs could talk, they would thank you as well. Wish me luck!

Pumpkincrab · Post by **Pumpkincrab** » Thu Jun 08, 2023 8:16 pm

Hi Lauren! I'm Pumpkincrab, but commonly go by Clover online, so feel free to call me by either. Nice to meet you!
I am so happy that you have been on our forums and adjusting your crab care so it's ideal. I won't go to say it gets easier as time goes on, but as you gain experience with hermit crabs, it won't feel as overwhelming and scary (as it often can feel like when you're new to crabs).
Good job resisting the urge to dig. New crabs often go and molt, seeing as most didn't have a safe opportunity to do so in pet stores/supply stores.
Let us know if you need any help or have any questions!

Lauren.mcvey · Post by **Lauren.mcvey** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:58 am

thank you

Pumpkincrab wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 08, 2023 8:16 pm
Hi Lauren! I'm Pumpkincrab, but commonly go by Clover online, so feel free to call me by either. Nice to meet you!
I am so happy that you have been on our forums and adjusting your crab care so it's ideal. I won't go to say it gets easier as time goes on, but as you gain experience with hermit crabs, it won't feel as overwhelming and scary (as it often can feel like when you're new to crabs).
Good job resisting the urge to dig. New crabs often go and molt, seeing as most didn't have a safe opportunity to do so in pet stores/supply stores.
Let us know if you need any help or have any questions!

Thank you Pumpkincrab! One of my hermies came out shortly after I posted yesterday and spent quite a bit of time exploring the crabitat, climbing on the drift wood and decorative greenery, tasting the strawberries and blueberries, as well as even exploring the shell shop ! My other smaller crab is still buried and I am assuming/hoping is going through a molt. Hoping my active guy doesn't get too lonely while she is buried however he seems happy and I was thrilled to see he really seems to be getting comfortable and exploring all over the log hideaway, driftwood, and fake greenery that we bought him. I don't have digital thermometer or hygrometers yet but i do have two of each of the regular ones and they are both reading adequate conditions on either side of the tank, so that makes me happy!

I do have one question- i have about 4-5 inches of depth of the eco earth coconut fiber substrate in my 20gallon Long tank, and I bought more to add, however now I am hesitant to add it because Strawberry (the smaller crab) is buried and I have no idea where in the substrate they are and I dont want to get her stuck. Should I wait a few weeks until she (hopefully) resurfaces before adding more of the coconut fiber substrate?

thanks in advance!

Pumpkincrab · Post by **Pumpkincrab** » Fri Jun 09, 2023 9:04 am

If your crabs are on the smaller side, I don't think they'd be terribly hurt by 5 inches of substrate instead of 6.
However, if you're really worried, you can add a half inch/inch or so a day, NOT patting it down but just sprinkling it in (as long as it's already moistened!)
I'd still be careful though. You might be able to hold off- I'd wait until somebody else chimes in for a second opinion.

Post by **curlysister** » Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:33 am

Welcome to crabbing, and to the site!
You can add more substrate if you want to, but as was already stated, don't pack it down or drop it in from any height. Or if you are more comfortable waiting, that's okay too. HCA recommends that the substrate be 2 to 3 times as deep as your largest crab, so that they have lots of room to be underground without another crab coming across them when digging too.
You will see lots of people who have really fancy tanks, but that is often for the human's enjoyment more than the crabs! LOL! My tank is not fancy at all - but it covers all the basics.

Lauren.mcvey · Post by **Lauren.mcvey** » Sun Jun 11, 2023 4:32 am

curlysister wrote: ↑
Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:33 am
Welcome to crabbing, and to the site!
You can add more substrate if you want to, but as was already stated, don't pack it down or drop it in from any height. Or if you are more comfortable waiting, that's okay too. HCA recommends that the substrate be 2 to 3 times as deep as your largest crab, so that they have lots of room to be underground without another crab coming across them when digging too.
You will see lots of people who have really fancy tanks, but that is often for the human's enjoyment more than the crabs! LOL! My tank is not fancy at all - but it covers all the basics.

curlysister wrote: ↑
Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:33 am
Re: New first time crab owner- thank you for the info!Quote Lauren.mcvey
by Lauren.mcvey » Fri Jun 09, 2023 9:58 am

Thank you for this! I have since decided to wait to add more since although they only have about 5 inches they definitely have 3 times the depth of the larger crab. ill keep you guys updated to see if the little one makes it through what I am hoping is her first molt with me.

KyMart · Post by **KyMart** » Sun Jun 11, 2023 9:46 am

You're doing so good for your first week of crabbing, much better then I was! Good job!

Lauren.mcvey · Post by **Lauren.mcvey** » Mon Jun 12, 2023 9:34 am

KyMart wrote: ↑
Sun Jun 11, 2023 9:46 am
You're doing so good for your first week of crabbing, much better then I was! Good job!

thank you so much! I felt horrible reading about them all essentially being wild-caught. I had no idea they were so difficult to breed in captivity. I am really hoping they make it through their first molt with me. I admittedly have gone a little crazy with the purchases of shells, moss, glass tops, hygrometers, etc so here is hoping for the best!

KyMart · Post by **KyMart** » Mon Jun 12, 2023 10:40 am

Lauren.mcvey wrote: ↑
Mon Jun 12, 2023 9:34 am
thank you so much! I felt horrible reading about them all essentially being wild-caught. I had no idea they were so difficult to breed in captivity. I am really hoping they make it through their first molt with me. I admittedly have gone a little crazy with the purchases of shells, moss, glass tops, hygrometers, etc so here is hoping for the best!

Don't worry, mine lived in a wire cage for a few weeks, you are doing MUCH better then I was! Congrats on ur new babies, and good luck! I hope they have long, happy lives!

Lauren.mcvey · Post by **Lauren.mcvey** » Thu Jun 15, 2023 6:53 pm

My larger crab whom I call “Flower” has taken a shell from the shell shop I set up and partially buried it under moss and some substrate right at the surface. I can also see he has partially buried himself just next to it. I am guessing he may change shells soon?

The smaller hermit has been buried for a week. Hoping she is molting and safe wherever she is.