HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Any ideas for a hide for a large crab? I got a large coco hut for my big guy, but he doesn't fit through the opening. He sure tries, which is so sad to watch!


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For my big guys I have lots of plants for them to hide in, and also a larger ceramic planter cut in half. You can get a plastic storage container and cut a big enough hole in it, too. Won't be pretty but it works!

megmaholm wrote:For my big guys I have lots of plants for them to hide in, and also a larger ceramic planter cut in half. You can get a plastic storage container and cut a big enough hole in it, too. Won't be pretty but it works!

He's been hiding in all the plants so far, which seemed fine, but after seeing him struggle to get in the coco hut I think I'll be trying something else. I think he'd be thrilled with a plastic storage container! Thanks!


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I have a pretty big cork round and half log in my 75g with my larger guys. There's a big piece of mopani in there that they like to hang out on and under. Also fake plants.
In my other tank I have two large clay pots along with fake plants and wood.
Shell shops and moss pits provide some cover too.

CallaLily wrote:I have a pretty big cork round and half log in my 75g with my larger guys. There's a big piece of mopani in there that they like to hang out on and under. Also fake plants.
In my other tank I have two large clay pots along with fake plants and wood.
Shell shops and moss pits provide some cover too.

Thanks! I feel a little better about his current situation. He likes hiding under the Mopani a lot. I might have to check out some clay pots as well as a plastic container. Ah, the possibilities are endless!


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Gloaming wrote: Thanks! I feel a little better about his current situation. He likes hiding under the Mopani a lot. I might have to check out some clay pots as well as a plastic container. Ah, the possibilities are endless!

Yes, the possibilities are endless, Gloaming! You'll find yourself in a store or thrift shop (the best place for finding great crabitat items), see an object and start thinking "How can I use this for my crabs?"

Crabinski wrote: Yes, the possibilities are endless, Gloaming! You'll find yourself in a store or thrift shop (the best place for finding great crabitat items), see an object and start thinking "How can I use this for my crabs?"

Wow, never thought of a thrift shop--what a fantastic idea!


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Mine mostly use the moss pit. The biggest of them sit out in the open pretty much all the time now, so I don't worry too much about providing giant hides for them. Those that do want to retreat someplace dig out large pits under the grapevine and mopani, which works great because they can control how much space they have. I've got a medium Exo-terra cave in there that came with an adoption, and while the doorway is too small for the majority of my hermits, they dig out underneath the cave so they fit inside, and several will hide in there during the day. And of course there are fake plants and low-hanging levels that they use for cover.

You could use a terracotta pot or planter turned on its side. You'd still be able to see him, but a couple of my guys seem to feel comforted just by crawling in and facing the back, with their shells facing the opening. It's like wearing a shell on their shell!

Jessikanesis wrote:You could use a terracotta pot or planter turned on its side. You'd still be able to see him, but a couple of my guys seem to feel comforted just by crawling in and facing the back, with their shells facing the opening. It's like wearing a shell on their shell!

I used to have the coco hut upside down, and he'd hang out there. Lol I guess all this is moot for now, though. As soon as Sam Elliot had a chance, he went down to molt.


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