New crab dad

[Countryguy]

After a couple years of curiosity about owning a hermit crab, I ended up at the fair looking to win a hermit crab. And so I did. I splurged on the "big tank" and picked out my new friend. So began my journey 3 days ago, Sunday.

It was warm and humid that day and the crabs at the fair all seemed active and in ok shape. As I sat relaxing in the AC, I started researching to learn more about my new hermit crab, Krabs (my wife and I have been forced by kids to watch SpongeBob for 20 years ). I ended up here, HCA, and quickly realized I was not prepared for this. After a bit of reading, some mild panic, and a bit of "WTH did I do?" , I got busy.

I found an old clamp lamp and heat light, got moisture in the tank and covered the top with a towel, cut up some fresh apple, gathered a handful of maple leaves and a branch and stuck in, then sat back to wait and do more research. Just before going to bed, I was able to catch Krabs munching on the apple.

I quickly found a used 29 gallon aquarium (cleaned up to almost new by my amazing wife), mixed the substrate, fresh and salt water (marine salt mix), tank heat pad, and a piece of wood for a bit of hideiness. By Monday night the new tank was ready for Krabs and ?his? new friend Betty-Loo, picked up at the pet store that afternoon (cause they need friends...the looks).

Betty-Loo seems to be adjusting more slowly thank Krabs, not as active and hides more. I gather that could be personality, PPS (pet store conditions were shockingly poor, but that's another post), or a combination. So for now I am just monitoring.

New shells and additional decorations are on order. I plan to get a piece of plexiglass and cut holes for a heat light and moonlight as well as vent holes as needed.

Question...I saw a s.all crab at the pet store that was missing it's big pincher. It was cute and I debated on adopting, but opted to wait because of the claw ( at least until I have more info to make an informed decision...the looks ). Is that survivable/recoverable? I haven't found much on their regeneration yet.

I will post pics of tank and crabs as soon as I can figure out how to post pics. Lol

[curlysister]

Welcome to crabbing and to the HCA!
Sounds like you are off to a great start! If you haven't already, be sure to check out our care sheets - start with the 'basics' one, and go from there. You will see photos of very elaborate and fancy tank, but those are really more for the owner than the crabs - a basic tank provides everything they need.

viewtopic.php?f=120&t=119273

Crabs do have the ability to re-grow missing limbs and claws when they molt!

Do you have a thermometer and hygrometer yet? That is a must-have right from the start. A digital one will be more accurate than an analog. That will tell you how much additional heat and/ or humidity you need. A caution about heat lamps - while they are good at increasing heat, they really tend to zap humidity. You may find a UTH (under tank heater but not used under the tank for crabs) on the back or side of the tank may get the heat up and keep the humidity in a safer range vs a heat lamp.

You can use the TapaTalk app, or a file sharing site to post photos.

[Countryguy]

Thank you for the welcome and info. I have reviewed the care sheets, extremely helpful.

I do have an analog thermometer/hygrometer, though the hygrometer needs calibrated.

I have an UTH on the backside of the tank, the heat lamp is now used a couple times a day to help with temp.

Gold shell is Krabs, other is Betty-Loo.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

[curlysister]

Looking great so far! Love the hide/ pool combo! You can take the sponge out of the pool/ bowl - all the sponge does is harbor bacteria. If one of the pools is fresh and one is salt, you won't need the third pool anyways.
Consider adding greenery/ fake plants so they have more places to hide - you might actually see them more, because they can hide anywhere in the tank.
You'll hold in more humidity and heat once you have a solid top/ lid - the towel will allow both to escape.
You will probably want a larger UTH. The one you have looks like a Zoo Med - they don't throw much heat and they can't be insulated over top. Also once they are stuck, you can't peel them off and move them.