HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I worked on the crabitat this morning. My crabbier are now happy crabbies. I am figuring out I have on that like to switch shells so I now need to increase my number of shells.

Does it look better than yesterday?

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/mpjncufe96b3 ... KCzQGZtsSa

Yes, it does look a little better to me what type of uth did you go with? It looks like it may be too small, and you will see more activity at a higher level of heat. Mine seem to prefer it around 80.

How deep is the substrate now? It is hard to tell from the pictures.

Also, you should take out the painted shells. They may look cool all painted up, but they are really not good for your crabs and not worth the risk. You should be able to get shells for cheap in bulk at craft stores or Walmart and some dollar stores. I have also ordered online at Naples sea shell company.

What did you end up doing for water? I can't see that in the pictures either.

Are you feeding fish flakes? That's what the picture looks like, sorry if I am wrong.

Good on you for working at improving! I know it's hard and it seems like a lot, but it is worth it in the end. However, I think that there is still some work to be done to make it basic for their needs.


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Forgot to mention: did you calibrate the hygrometer and the thermometer? A lot of times they are off when you buy them.


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There is about 4-5 inches. I didn't callebrate. I have no clue how. The UTH is a zoo med small for hermit crabs. I couldn't find anything else. I have a Tupperware bowl for water. Need to get a smaller one for two bowls. I have the salt water stuff too. As far as food I still have that stuff but working on other. Been up since 2:45 and have two preschool boys.

Can I use Quaker Oats Old Fashioned Oats? I have some veggies in crisper. That will be in the AM.

Here's how to calibrate a hydrometer viewtopic.php?t=92540
A more reliable thermometer/hydrometer is something like the acurite indoor meter. You can buy them at Walmart for $10.
You can use oats if they're the regular ones without any added sugars or flavors.
BTW you're crabs are really cute

Good to hear you're working on improving conditions for your crabs!

With a new hygrometer, analog or digital, it is very likely that the reading shown is either over or under the true humidity percentage by several degrees. The Care Sheet section also has a guide on how to calibrate your hygrometer -- it's really easy and requires only a small bottle cap, table salt and a ziplock bag or small plastic container with a lid.

The substrate depth is almost there (6" minimum) but for heating a ZooMed small UTH is, well, too small. Manufacturers make their recommendations based on the number of gallons in the tank you want to heat but what you really want is the largest UTH that can fit on the back of the tank above the substrate. A 10g tank is 20" long and 12" high so you'd want a UTH that is about 6"x17". Since you already have a ZooMed small (6"x8"), you can add a second one and that should get the tank up to a safe heat range of 75-85 degrees (above 80 degrees is always best).

As @purpleperson said, take out the painted shells as soon your crabs switch into natural ones. Sometimes the paint can be carefully chipped off the shell to give you a nice usable natural one; however, most painted shells have "D" shaped openings as opposed to the "O" shaped openings preferred by PPS. Turbos shells, regardless of color, have "O" shaped openings. If you have a Jo-Ann craft store near you, you can find bags of natural shells that will have several usable green turbos for about $6.

Yes, Quaker Old Fashioned Oats are fine, as are most veggies (check the Safe/Unsafe Foods lists in the Care Sheet section of the Forum page). Pet store employees will always recommend products the store stocks, regardless of whether or not it is actually good for your pet -- after all, they always recommend buying those bags of colorful calcium sand which is actually harmful to hermit crabs. T-Rex Crab Island Fruit and Flower mix contains one of the "Big 3" chemical no-nos for hermit crabs: copper sulfate; the other two chemical additives to avoid are EQ (ethoxyquin) and BHT (butyl hydroxytoluene). Pellet foods are simply not nutritionally sound for hermit crabs. Pet stores will feed them pellets because (1) it's inexpensive and (2) they only care about keeping the animals alive until they're sold -- they're not thinking about the crabs' long term health. Please read the Commercial Foods topic in the Care Sheets section -- it lists the top brand name foods to avoid and also lists several good ones, primarily ones with all natural freeze-dried ingredients, no additives or preservatives.

Lastly, I don't know what the store recommended to prepare the salt water but the mixes sold as "hermit crab salt" or something similar do not provide the minerals the crabs need. Hopefully, you can exchange that item and pick up a saltwater fish salt such as Instant Ocean, Oceanic or Seachem Marine.

Keep us all posted on the evolution of the tank. Heaven knows we're all constantly making adjustments, even on established crabitats!

Hermitcrabdc thanks so much.

I looked at the oats and no sugars and have eggs boiling for them too. So that is tonight's diet. I will add another brick of substrate tomorrow. I can tell my humidity is up because tank fogging up. Will be calibrating tomorrow as well to check out temp. In the meantime will keep them covered.

Guys thanks so much for all your feedback. I will hit up the dollar store sometime this weekend.

I already love these guys, they have a personality and my husband has yet to see it and thinks I am crazy. He should see it soon, just been a busy week for us.