HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Just my curiosity, but are there any experienced[enough] crabbers who have never gotten mites?
I really, really, reallyreallyreallyreally hate the thought of getting mites. From what it seems, they're usually harmless and no big deal and just feed dry food etc etc. but honestly, if i had mites in my tank(s) i think i would freak in a major way. I havent gotten them yet and i do my beeeeest to not score any, including not getting more crabs.
What i'm wondering is if there's any long time crabber (over 2 years is good enough) who has NEVER gotten mites? Even better, is it possible to be forever mite free?
Heeere's hoping!


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I've always had harmless food mites, just now have crab mites for the first time I started in 2012.

even food mites would freak me out. I would dream about them crawling all over my face and going into my eyes


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Harmless food mites, yes I get them in my crabitat. I've never found or noticed any harmful crab mites so far though.

Calla, are the food mites a regular inhabitant or occasional? How long have you been crabbing? Do you use isopods?


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Well, considering a few of the pictures in the mite FAQ are from my tanks...

If you're worried about it, just don't look at the food dish and don't stare at the substrate. Seriously. I probably went two years before I realized they were also in my scorpions' tanks, and that was only because I had my nose up against the glass staring at babies! I never would have saw them otherwise. Heck, the only time I see them in the crab tank is when they rush the food bowl for leftover banana.

There are no mites here *waves hand* what you saw was sand grains *waves hand*

I haven't yet. I hope to stay lucky with that. But I have only been crabbing about 6 months.

I have been crabbing for 5 years and just rescued two crabs that had some kind of bug on them... I first thought they were mites, but then I posted a thread about it and Wod thought it was wood lice but now we think that they were globular springtails.. but whatever they were I was able to get rid of them... it was kind of a nightmare.... it was a few weeks of daily salt baths/ freshwater baths/ boiling og tank items and changing paper towel bedding.
Sooner or later I think we all will probably have this problem and while yes it is scary and terrible it can be resolved. And just remember that you will win that fight

Thanks for your feedback everyone! And for the encouragement to make it through what seems inevitable
I really hate mites. Moving grains of sand? NIGHTMARE! Reminds me of an old thriller where a guy was eating chinese takeout, and did a double take, and all the lo mein had turned into worms
Isopods start looking cuter and cuter!


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YYWW wrote:Calla, are the food mites a regular inhabitant or occasional? How long have you been crabbing? Do you use isopods?

They pop up from time to time. The springtails hang around though. I've been crabbing for over 6 years. I do not add rollie pollies.

Siiiigh.... As long as me crabs are safe!!
Springtails i dont mind, as long as theyre super tiny..


Crabbers unite!!!

Only Mites I've ever had are food mites and wood mites.

Wood mites?
what are wood mites? Are they outside the tank or in? What do they do and how do you get rid of them?


Crabbers unite!!!

I've only been crabbing since July, and even though I worry about mites I haven't had a problem with any kind. The only bugs in my tank are fruit flies, and those are bad enough.

Gwahh fruit flies... I guess i see those enough, but never mites, so flies dont creep me out as much. But maggots, BLEHHHHHHH


Crabbers unite!!!

ETA: just goodled images of maggots.. BLEAHGGGHGHHEEHGHHGHH