HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Just asked her if I could post this and got the "okay".
As I was adding some crabs to me order, she says: "Hope you have room left for Aussies! Supplier is collecting them in a few weeks, so we should have them in November sometime!"
I know that Aussies have to be in an all sand enclosure so that's a no go for me. Anyone interested after the LHC ordeal?

They have to be in an all sand enclosure (I have no idea about or how to take care of aussies)?

First I've heard about the all-sand enclosure - I know that Australian owners do use cocofiber, and all they can get down there is Aussie crabs. Care isn't any different then any other exotic, except that they seem to enjoy hot tanks even more then our Es do.

Still no approval of the export permit, so please don't get your hopes up too much yet! I've been tracking it because I am honestly intrigued since it's that one species that we could never get here so....

I thought it was insanely difficult to export Aussies. I wonder what kinda strings she's pulling.

Yuka wrote:I thought it was insanely difficult to export Aussies. I wonder what kinda strings she's pulling.

She's not doing anything. It's the exporter who has to jump through all the hoops to get the paperwork approved. It's not difficult, they just can't do it without approval from the government agencies, which takes time.

The plus side to that is that we know exactly where they're coming from, where they live, how they're collected, and stored, and shipped. (Which is why I'm so intrigued. I don't even know how my PPs were collected!)

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodivers ... -crabs.pdf

patchouliii wrote:Anyone interested after the LHC ordeal?

As long as she's the only source that people have experience with and as long as she is the only one offering up a big variety of species, she'll keep getting business. No matter how bad it is at times.

meldamiriel wrote: As long as she's the only source that people have experience with and as long as she is the only one offering up a big variety of species, she'll keep getting business. No matter how bad it is at times.

I think if some of us gave it thought and effort, we could find other vendors. Sometimes changing from the same-o, same-o takes effort and persistence, but it pays off.
Monopolies are not good, competition keeps everyone on their toes.

We won't be able to find Aussies though from my understanding.

No other source for indos, either. *cries* Only other source for some species is from overseas, and they only do wholesale.

wolfnipplechips wrote:No other source for indos, either. *cries* Only other source for some species is from overseas, and they only do wholesale.

Can I ask you Wolf... What is it about Indos that you love so much? I am finally getting some next week. It will be my first time

THEY ARE THE SWEETEST!! They have such calm personalities. Never pinchy, seem very comfortable with handling (will act normal if you handle them gently, not scared at all!), and they have such pretty coloring. Deep purples and blues with tan accents. And with other crabs, after they establish a pecking order, they don't pick on anybody ever. But they will defend themselves if they have to of course. Their first defense is to just push others with their giant claw.

They are just so peaceful and friendly.

wolfnipplechips wrote:THEY ARE THE SWEETEST!! They have such calm personalities. Never pinchy, seem very comfortable with handling (will act normal if you handle them gently, not scared at all!), and they have such pretty coloring. Deep purples and blues with tan accents. And with other crabs, after they establish a pecking order, they don't pick on anybody ever. But they will defend themselves if they have to of course. Their first defense is to just push others with their giant claw.

They are just so peaceful and friendly.

They sound almost like a dream crab!

Plus, they are from the same area as Birgus latro, so I am always hoping to get one of those by mistake.

wolfnipplechips wrote:Plus, they are from the same area as Birgus latro, so I am always hoping to get one of those by mistake.

Sneaky...LOL!

wolfnipplechips wrote:No other source for indos, either. *cries* Only other source for some species is from overseas, and they only do wholesale.

I could do it. I have the space, time (I work from home) and funds (single guy). But when animals die due to my miscare I find it terribly upsetting. And I am not having a lot of luck with my E's.

It would cost under $100 to get 50 PP, and about $400 to import 100 Aussies. A custom crabitat to keep them in would cost me about $200 in materiels (a carpenter owns me favors).

But with my bad luck with E's I don't want to risk it.