How deep should substrate be? and other newbie questions

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 4:27 am

Hi,

I'm a brand-new crab owner with two crabs purchased a couple of days ago from a mall kiosk. I want to be a GOOD crab owner and have been devouring web sites. Today I went to a petstore and saw a crab who didn't look so good; would have bought him to "rescue" him if I knew more. I did notice they had him on wood shavings which I read was not good for crabs; I told them to put him on sand.

Anyway, my crabs have calcium sand but the layer of it is not very deep and so they can't dig. I wanted to know how deep the substrate should be, both in the small terrarium which is their regular home and the small ISO I am going to set up in case anyone needs to molt .

Also I have been putting them in a basin with things to climb on when I can supervise them; the plastic basin is bigger than the terrarium so one of them especially seems to like the space and the climbing time. The other one prefers to hide though. I don't know if this is a personality difference, if the quiet one is tired from the store, or if I have a potential molter! What are the beginning signs of needing to molt?

All advice appreciated!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 2:29 pm

Hi there,

I'm really glad you're looking for information to take god care of your crabs. It'd also really great to to welcome new people into the wonderful world of hermit crabs.
As for substrate. It should be deep enough for the crabs to be able to completely dig under - 2-3 times their height. In my tanks I keep the level at about 4-5 inches deep. Play sand along wit hthe calci-sand is good. It is cheap so changing it and getting a good amount is not so hard on the wallet.
As you become more familiar with your crabs you'll come to find that they have very dictenct personalities. Your quiet one may be just that - a quiet crab. I have one who would always draw far onto his shell whenever anyone was nearby. It took a few months before he would stay out at all when I was near. I have another crab who is always coming far out of her shell. She is very curious and loves to explore. She seems to want activity and excitement.
As for molting signs, I have found that the signs also can differ from crab to crab. As you get to know your crabs better you'll come to easily recognize impending molts. In general things to look out for are - hanging out around the water dish more, being less active than usual, digging down under the sand alot. Also- their eyes may take on a cloudier appearrance and there may be less color than normal along the edges of their legs.
I am not sure about the size of your crabs, but I have some useful stuff I could tell you that I think are more specific to tiny crabs molts. I'll tell you if you'd like.
Anyhow, welcome to the wonderful world of being a hermot crab owner. We're glad you're here!

Peace,
Jude

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 4:13 am

Thanks for the welcome and the answer to my question! After reading what you wrote I went out to price sand. The calcium sand is really expensive and the play sand is much cheaper, but I have to figure out where I can store a 50 lb. bag of the stuff in this small apartment! I hope to get them the sand tomorrow depending on what is open on the 4th. I hate that they don't have enough!

I've been doing more reading and it looks like I need another water dish for some salt water. Right now the crabs are drinking bottled water in a dish with a sponge.

As for their personalities, they are now tentatively named Run and Hide

Tonight I tried giving them a treat. Sliced grape was rejected but Cheerios are a hit!

As for their size, with shell they are still under golf ball size but much bigger than a quarter. I need to figure out how to size them better so I can provide them with extra shells. I don't know how to measure the openings and stuff.

Anything you want to tell me would be appreciated! and thank you again for responding.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 7:38 pm

I'm more than happy to answer any questions I'm able to. I've had hermit crabs for more than 5 years now and so have learned quite a few things over that time from both my own experience and hearing what others have to say. I really like the names you've chosen - seems that they could really fit their personalities.
I'm glad you're getting some more sand. Most of mine always dig way down and molt underneath the sand. You can add the calci sand in with the playsand. It is important that the crabs have some way that they are getting calcium in their diet. I also use crushed coral in the tanks and have coral pieces for them to climb on. Salt water is good for all the crabs and critcial for the E's. Also make sure they have fresh water too.
Did you read yet about baths and stresscoat? bathing them occasioanally in stresscoat treated water really helps them stay healthy and have successful molts.
I never could really get the sizing descriptions of people. I think some people are approximate the whole body while others approximate the size of the large claw/shell opening. And tere would be a big difference in a crab that whole body is about a the size of a tennis ball and one whose claw is about the size of a tennis ball. Personally, I know the approxinamte size of my hermie's large claw in relation to my thumbnail and when I'm out shopping I then compare the size of new shells against my thumb. Extra shells should be about the same or slightly larger in the size opening. You may find that the different crabs prefer different style shells. It may have something to do with their personailities and/or abdomen shape.
I hope you have a good Fourth!

Peace,
Jude

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 9:46 pm

I heard that you should add 1/4th of an inch to the shell they are in now... That is what i have done with mine. Sounds like you'll be a great crabparent

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:16 am

Now that they have play sand I guess I'd better work on the calcium source! Coral, or cuttlebone?

Or maybe I should just get more calci-sand and put it in a dish. Running out of dish space though! Still need to find room for the salt water.

They seem to be a little less active than when they first came home. Maybe they are tired and also it's been warm. But I hope I'm doing everything right.

Hide likes food treats. Didn't want blueberries but is enjoying coconut right now.

Run just wants out

I wish I had a bigger tank for them, a 10 gallon at least. Saving up...

First, calcium and obtaining shells somehow are the priorities. I am wondering if I am going to have to order shells on line and if so then I will need to get this sizing thing down!

I had a great fourth and hope everyone else did too

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:26 am

Oh, about baths! I haven't tried giving them a bath yet. I did read about it but am not clear on how much water I should be putting them in and just the general logistics of the procedure!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 10:54 pm

For calcium, Cuttlebone is a good source. Also, if you mix the calci-sand with the play sand, they WILL eat that as part of their everyday diet which is why having calci-sand is recomended.

As for shells, you can buy almost anywhere. You can get them at walmart, carft stores, the internet, etc. The sizes vary, but usually you can find a few good ones for your hermies if you just look around. Also check around at any petstores you have in your area, not just the well known ones like petsmart and petco. Just remember to boil all shells and let cool before sticking them in the tank.

A 10 gallon tank is actually fairly cheap. I got mine for 10 bux at petsmart, they have some for around 8 bux at walmart. But remember, the larger the tank, the harder cleaning is! But if you plan on getting more then one crab, you should look into a larger crabitat.

Bathing is a good time for both crabs and crabparents. Heres what you should do. Get some TEPID dechlorinated water (Crabs CAN NOT have Chlorine) - tepid meaning not noticabley hot or cold... Room temperature is the best for bathing. Fill a small tub - i use one of those gladware tupperware bowls, a large one - with about an inch to two inches of water, depending on the size of your crabs. Then slowly, emerge your little one upside down in to the water so the water flows into the shell... set them down and let them do their own thing. Let them run around between 30 second and a minute or so, depending on how comfortable you are in the situation. Once they're done with bath time, do not place them back into their crabitat. Make a small area - some use a shoe box with a paper towel at the bottom and some even have special playgrounds for them - to dry off in. Once dry, place them back in their own and bath time is over.

Have Fun!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 5:05 am

Thank you!

Hope to try bathing in the next few days