What kind of hermie is right for me?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:39 pm

My mother recently bought a pair of hermies for my nephew and my sister, as well as I, have become fascinated with them! I always thought of them as boring crabs that didn't do anything but I couldn't have been more wrong. I like them so much I am even thinking about starting up a hermit crab habitat of my own.

I am an aquarium enthusiast, and have an empty 20L but I was thinking about just getting a 10g. I am really interested in some of the bigger species of hermies, but the strawberries didn't really get my attention. Are there other large species that are available? Also, does anyone know any reputable sellers online? I would rather avoid getting them from a pet store because from what I've seen, the pet stores around here do not care very well for their crabs. I'd much rather spend a little extra money and have them shipped express from someone who really knows how to care for them. I've heard of hermit crabs getting as big as a cantelope! I understand one of those would probably be too big for a 10g, but I would still like some info on them nonetheless. I think they sound really cool! If I got one of the larger species like this, I would rather buy them at a young age and raise them to adulthood because I've heard older crabs don't do well in captivity.
Thanks for any advise you could give me and for having me on your message board!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:55 pm

I'm not sure, but it's possible that purple pinchers (PP's) get the largest for easy to find crabs. I don't know if they actually get the largest, but the do get really large. I'm not really sure about the rest..

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:08 pm

Really? Wow, how big do Purple p's get? Thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:35 pm

This is a pic of my largest PP

They get bigger than that, I'm sure of it! I have rather small hands.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:41 pm

Yes, I would say PPs as well. They can get to be the size of a softball, and I have 2 that are larger than the one in beckers pic. They are also one of the hardier species. Easier to keep in my opinion. They do tend to be lazy, especially the first couple of months.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:46 pm

yes! E's are much better for moving around... but also giving you a headache...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:54 pm

lol, I was wondering about that. I've read that E's can be more active, but wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. I want to be able to hold them, and not worry about them darting off. I know that the pp's can be quick too, but are the E's too fast to handle? Thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:58 pm

I wouldn't say they are too fast to handle. The really small ones are a little hard to hold, but they get a lot easier to hold on to as they get bigger. Don't tell all my PP's, but I think E's are much cuter! They don't get terribly big though. I have one that's about the size of a golf ball.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:40 pm

Within every species you get shy or hyper active crabs. I have a very shy E, and I have several hyper, fast moving PPs. I would just say PPs for the reason that they are so hardy, they generally molt well, less potential heartache. But Es aren't hard to take care of.

Personally, I like variety.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:15 pm

Thanks guys! I think I am going to go with pp's to start. I may do some shifting around with my fishtanks and have a spare 40L to start my crabitat in, and if I decide to add E's later I always can.

Thanks for all the great advise!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:41 pm

Just a tip: when you go into the petstore, they will probably not know what a PP is. I have yet to come across a petstore that knows what species they sell. You will have to ID them yourself. Of course PPs are a dead giveaway with thier big purple claw!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:55 pm

Thanks! I've come to learn that most pet store associates don't know what they're talking about. I think we've all learned that the hard way at one point or another. I think I am going to look around on craigslist, and on the adoption board here, and try to acquire some hermies from a good home.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:26 pm

Also with E's they are excellent escape artist, mine have escaped twice before I realised what part of the lid they were pushing up and getting out of.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:15 am

I say keep PP's too. They're really hardy. O_o; When I first started, I had NO idea what I was really doing. They survived through a whole lot of crap I put them through and they're still alive and kicking.

And about the pet stores not knowing what we're talking about? So true. -_- The pet store I go to knows about the normal cats and dogs and fish and rabbits. When I asked the manager about hermit crabs and what species they had, all he did was stare at me with a funny look. It was an expression that said, "There's more than one species?"

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:08 am

My PP survived a period of months where I was convinced what the pet store guy told me was right. He really stressed the importance of keeping everything very dry

Also survived days of no power and no heat in the middle of the winter. I think he went into hibernation - I think he would have had to.. it was 40F or so in my house. Eventually I decided to drive my fish and crab 30 minutes to my parents. They would have died otherwise. It was just far too cold!

That being said, I don't advise trying any of that

Not that you would have! Just saying, that particular PP of mine is VERY hardy!