HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello!

So I've had my two hermies for about 4 months now (since mother's day) and everything is going really well. Their tank looks good, food is up to standard, humidity is where it should be (I've been trying to work out the kinks with temperature, I have a heat pad on one side of the tank but I haven't had a chance to get a gauge. Also, I got my 15 gal from family with no lid, until I get one I'm stuck using towels and saran wrap- bad, I know
) but other than that the crabbies are doing well.

Well, one of them is.

JJ is doing amazing, always checking me out whenever I walk or if there's a new thing in the tank.

But Ham on the other hand isn't doing as well.

I bought them from a mall kiosk out of sheer pity (went there again today and was so close on getting another one!!!!!) And because the "tank" there was absolutely horrid. Overcrowded, no humidity at all (it was just a big sand pit with no walls or anything!) And was just one big coffin.

I thought they'd be taking the transition okay, but I'm not sure.

Ham is extremely shy. Never really saw him at the food/water bowls, always in the hidey hut. He disappeared for the better half of a month or two, but was only burrowing to the bottom corner of the tank.

Whenever I put him back in his tank after a bath, he hides for at least ten minutes before slowly coming out just to hide again.

Also, he hasn't hanged out of his painted shell!! JJ has changed out twice, and the only time Ham has been out of there was when JJ forced him out from a shell fight. Ended up going back into the painted shell because I didn't have time to take it out of the tank!!

They both also haven't molted, from what I've gathered. I'm pretty sure I see a molt sac, but I'm not too sure. I can't take pictures right now since I'm not there with them!

I'm worried Ham might be stressed. Any idea what's going on?

ALSO....

When they were in the carrier tank (I wasn't in my home town so they had to stay in there for a few days before I had access to the main tank at home) they seem to be doing just fine together! ALWAYS on top of each other, or near each other. They were besties!

Now, since they are in a much bigger tank, they are NEVER together. Never.

I know it is 5-10 gallons per crab, and a ten gallon would probably fit 3 small crabs at most.

They are both pretty small.

Since it's mostly only JJ on the surface, I was wondering if I could get another hermit crab buddy so JJ wouldn't be so alone?

Ham is always digging in the substrate (which kind of worries me. Never on the surface) so it's basically just JJ. It almost feels like I only have one hermit crab and JJ is all alone, honestly.

Would 3 small hermit crabs fit into a 15 gallon? I just really want them to get along.


Thank you!




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I’m not experienced enough to give you solid advice but I’m sure someone will advise you. I just wanted to say that your guy in the painted shell sounds just like mine! I’m hoping he makes it but he’s always hiding in the hut ...I’ve only seen him come out to eat a few times since late July. He is also still in his painted shell and really hasn’t checked any other shells out yet. Just is always hiding 99% of the time. He has never dug down yet...just burrows a tad in the substrate. Since he is in the hut I put in water bottle caps with nutrients...honey and a calcium supplement. I change it out and add other stuff as well since he doesn’t venture out much. I also sprinkled some of the calcium powder around him in case...not sure if that’s a good idea or not but I’m sure it can’t hurt.

Those sound like good ideas, I would try the bottle cap thing but he always goes into the hut to end up burrowing, and would absolutely make a mess with dirt. Love him to bits but he's not really active!

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Neemie wrote:Those sound like good ideas, I would try the bottle cap thing but he always goes into the hut to end up burrowing, and would absolutely make a mess with dirt. Love him to bits but he's not really active!

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I put the caps closer to the entrance to lessen the chance of a mess...he tends to burrow towards the back of the hut

fandt94 wrote:

Neemie wrote:Those sound like good ideas, I would try the bottle cap thing but he always goes into the hut to end up burrowing, and would absolutely make a mess with dirt. Love him to bits but he's not really active!

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I put the caps closer to the entrance to lessen the chance of a mess...he tends to burrow towards the back of the hut

Ah, okay!

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picture is not that great but...

P.S. I also don't have a lid yet on my new tank so I'm using saran wrap to cover..the press and seal kind...its working. I got a cheap gauge digital gauge off of Amazon and after calibrating..it's DEAD on accurate for humidity...its the Acurite one...I've seen lots of posts about it.

Ooh, that sounds good.

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Hi. I hope he makes it. The first thing I would say is not to bathe them. It just stresses them out. And a heat gauge is really important. They ned a minimum of 75-80 degrees. Walmart has an Acurite for temp and humidity. Does your substrate have sandcastle consistancy?

I only bathe them when I see the substrate wedged inside their shells and they haven't "shaken" it off for a while. It just frustrates me, but I'll minimize that.

And yes, I check to make sure it is sand castle consistency everyday

Thanks for the help!

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Neemie wrote:I only bathe them when I see the substrate wedged inside their shells and they haven't "shaken" it off for a while. It just frustrates me, but I'll minimize that.

And yes, I check to make sure it is sand castle consistency everyday

Thanks for the help!

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You're welcome. They regulate the water in their shells that's why bathing them isn't a good idea. In addition to the stress. They can get the sand out.

Hello

Can you please fill this out for us?
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102

First of all, please let your hermit acclimate to his environment. handling does stress them out. Heat and humidity need to be around 80 IMO. Please check out the forums so you can read the care for them