HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi guys, I've recently started playing violin, I am wondering if it will effect the hermits if I play it near them or will the be ok. Even if they are molting?


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I use to play the violin near my crabs.. no effect. They won't mind.

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Ok that's good. I thought the noise might annoy them


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If mine can live through my singing, I doubt a violin would have much effect. The one time my hubby heard me because I didn't know he came home he came flying into the room in a panic thinking one of our cats was dying.

Seriously though, they sense vibrations. Walking past the tank or using a subwoofer is more likely to bother them than playing an instrument. We aren't sure how sensitive they are to audible noise, but anything they can physically feel will cause a reaction.

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Hmm....I think it depends on how well you play your instrument Just kidding

GotButterflies wrote:Hmm....I think it depends on how well you play your instrument Just kidding

In that case, I'd better quit the violin. And the piano. And the recorder.

I thought about using Everglades background sound in the same room as my crabs, any thoughts?

stellaplusrocky wrote:I thought about using Everglades background sound in the same room as my crabs, any thoughts?

It won't hurt, plus it may be a good set to play to help you wind down from a stressful day, or to help fill in the silence.

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It's a bit odd that they don't react to it. Yet they react to us walking past their tanks


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Madi.crab wrote:It's a bit odd that they don't react to it. Yet they react to us walking past their tanks


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As we walk around like we trying to cause an earthquake, they can sense the vibrations. Literally the whole tank shakes as we walk around. As for music, at most it will be mildly disturbing to the crabs.

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stellaplusrocky wrote:I thought about using Everglades background sound in the same room as my crabs, any thoughts?

I actually do play an Everglades soundscape every night (mostly for me, because I'm homesick for Florida and the city noises of LA keep me awake if I don't drown them out). The crabs are in the bedroom with me and I haven't noticed any particular reaction from them to the natural sounds. Nor do I see any difference when I switch to Reggae (you'd think Caribbean crabs would know how to jam! ) I'm about 90% certain they can't hear much at all, honestly.

But... I will say, listening to the birds and gators of home all night definitely improves MY mood and behavior.

I recently got two hermit crabs and I have a Viola and a cello. I'm not that concerned about the Viola but I am about the cello since it touches the ground. My crabs are high up and my chair that i sit in to play is by their tank. Will it be okay for me to practice before school starts or will it cause damage?

It should be fine. They may be spooked initially but I’m guessing they’ll eventually get used to the noise and vibrations


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