HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I am very new to crabbing. I am attaching a pic on my crabitat and need feedback on how to set it up further
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xucowfg7hy4yw ... 7.jpg?dl=0

Hi there! You really really need to get some deeper sand, natural (not painted) appropriate shells, some larger deeper water dishes (so that your largest crab can completely submerge) and a food dish. You also need a heat source. What kind of lid do you have? You need to maintain high humidity as well.

For the sand, you can buy a bag of play sand for under 5$. What size is your tank? You want the sand to be at least 2-3 times as deep as your largest crab. You can also mix the sand with Eco earth if you choose.

Natural shells can be bought cheaply at craft stores online. Assuming that you have PPs, you will want turbo shells that are not painted as the paint can be toxic.

Deeper water dishes are important as the crabs need to adjust the was yet they store in their shells. They need both salt water (instant ocean, etc, not regular salt or sea salt) and fresh water. Many people on here use Tupperware containers with plastic mesh so that they can climb out. Some crabs even like to swim!

I recommend having a proper food dish as its easier that way. You could use the little dishes you have in there now. What are you feeding them? Do not feed pellet food from the pet store. It can and will eventually kill your crabs as the preservatives used can be toxic. You should be feeding fresh veggies, meats, fruits. They need protein sources and a calcium source like cuttlebones or egg shells.

Heat is important as they are tropical animals. I am not sure if you have one but I thought I'd mention it. Most crabbers on here use and under tank heater, like the brand ultratherm, on the back of the tank. It is important not to put it on the bottom as you need to heat the air. The heater should cover the whole back if possible, and some brands can be insulated. You want the temperature to be around 80 degrees.

I mention the lid as you want to be able to hold in as much humidity as possible, as they cannot breathe without humidity. If you have a screen lid it is recommended that you cover it in plastic wrap to help hold in humidity.

How many crabs do you have and what size is the tank? Be sure that you aren't over crowding.

You may also want to add some hides and climbing objects. There are plenty of diy objects on here.

If I missed anything I am sorry! I am sure someone else with chime in. Happy crabbing and good luck! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Please excuse any errors, I'm rushing this post and I am on tapatalk.


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HI, Marthcln! @purpleperson hit all of the points you need to consider to set up a successful crabitat but I'll just throw in a little more detailed advice.

1) Both forms of water, fresh and salt, first need to be treated with a dechlorinator that removes chlorine and other toxic chemicals and also helps reduce ammonia buildup. These treatments are inexpensive (under $5) and last for a long, long time. The one I use is API Betta Water Conditioner, found at any Petco/PetSmart. As @purpleperson mentioned, Instant Ocean is a very good product for mixing your salt water; a good-sized box is under $8 at Petco/PetSmart and also lasts a long, long time.

2) If the sand you currently have in the tank is "special" hermit crab calcium sand, it will have to be removed asap. Calcium sand does not retain moisture as well as play sand and can harden around and within a crab's shell when he's buried, suffocating him. Play sand is under $5 for a 50lb bag in the Concrete section at Home Depot/Lowe's.

3) Whether you're using straight play sand or a blend of play sand and Eco Earth (coconut fiber, sold in blocks in the Reptile section in pet stores), it needs to be mixed to a "sandcastle" consistency to be right for the crabs to tunnel safely. After mixing the substrate, just poke your finger into the top: when your finger is removed, the hole created should remain intact. The rule of thumb is a minimum depth of 6" but if, for instance, you have a larger crab, go for a minimum of 8" -- deeper is always better!

4) Check out the Safe/Unsafe Food lists and you'll be amazed at how many things hermit crabs can eat! It's easy to feed them right from your 'fridge: raw/cooked chicken or seafood (no sauces or spices), fruits, veggies, egg shells, etc. Remember that they need protein and calcium regularly so adding a cuttlebone to the tank and keeping freeze-dried mealworms, freeze-dried shrimp or freeze-dried crickets on hand are easy ways to ensure they get what they need.

5) It's easy to create a hide for the crabs from an empty yogurt or margarine container: just cut out a doorway, flip it over and there you go! Artificial plants also make great hiding and climbing features so check out your local dollar and thrift stores for plastic and cloth plants and vines. Fish net is also beloved by crabs for climbing and a large piece of fish net (approx 3'x5', bagged) can be found at craft shops such as Hobby Lobby and Michael's for around $6. If you have access to small branches from safe trees (see Safe/Unsafe Food lists) that have not been treated with pesticides, there's another no-cost climbing feature the crabs will love!

If you haven't already seen it, please read HCA's Basic Hermit Crab Care guide, found at this link: viewtopic.php?t=92457. It covers everything from how many crabs can safely live in what size tank to how to calibrate your hygrometer to what type/size heat source the tank will need.

Again, welcome to HCA and feel free to ask any questions you make have as you go along. We are all always learning from one another here !

Thank you guys. I found a very knowledgable person at Petco yesterday. When I bought the crabs they were from a kiosk at the mall. Boy these people have no clue what they were doing. They told me to feed them once a week and mist them once a day. I started researching and found all this out. I have a 10g tank with 2 pp's I am pretty positive that's what they are. I did add a margarine bowl for hiding. I am adding both sand and coco shredded bedding this weekend. Petco did share with me that they sold their saltwater they use in their tanks. We have a mixture of foods for them. I have T Rex Crab Island fruit & flower mixture. Then I have a small package they sold me that has pellets. I don't use that too often.

Right now they have the LED light with a aquarium top which is changing tomorrow. I am trying to debate between a heating pad or a lamp with 50watt bulb. I keep the top covered with thick towels and light on. They get misted with freshwater 2-3 times a day.

They are very active. Any more advice would be appreciated.

I recommend a heating pad over a heat lamp because heat lamps can pose a fire hazard and they can make your substrate dry out faster if I were you I would never feed the pellets, it's not worth the risk in my opinion and if you dry things out or prepare before hand, it's easier to go with fresh and freeze dried items. What are you changing the lid to?


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Probably a mesh lid and wrapping it. Once I upgrade this weekend I will post new pics. Need to clean tank too when adding substrate.

Welcome! Be sure to check out our Caresheet & FAQ section, if you haven't yet. There is a lot of great info there. It's definitely worth taking the time to read through.

I am just gonna say

Thank you for researching your new pet, to often people don't.


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