HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Ok, so I swore I wasn't going to get any more crabs until I changed to a bigger tank and everything . . . but I went to the pet store tonight, just on a whim, and they had tiny little hermit crabs. Previously they had only had jumbos and I was not in the market for a jumbo.

So, of course, one of the little guys came home with me. I wanted to buy two, but I didn't have a lot of cash on me. I may go back and get at least one more on Friday because they had a couple of really nice ones that weren't too shy and it was hard to pick which one to bring home tonight.

From what I can tell, he's an E. I already had a PP, but his friend died. I hope it's ok to have the two of them in the same tank together. I know they both need friends of their own species so I guess that will be the next step.

Anyway, for some reason, this new little guy just reminded me of Stewie from Family Guy. He's a very active little thing and ran all over the crabitat when I got him home. He seemed to be amazed that there was food and water for him. The tank at the pet store really sucks, so I'm sure he's much happier here.

Now for the all important question, do E's need different things than PPs? Or do I basically care for them in the same way? I plan on doing some more research, but I don't want to do anything wrong right off the bat and cause him any harm. Any suggestions?

congrats on your new buddy!

yep, PP and Es can live together, all the species can. my Es are very creative escape artists, so make sure your tank is escape proof! and make sure you have lots of climby things in there, Es love to climb (in general).

Caroline

I know E's are supposed to be fairly hyper compared to PPs, but is this running around the tank part of that hyperactivity or is it because he's freaked out from being moved? Should I start taking him out so he can get some exercise or just let him be for a few days?

I'd let him be for a few days, give him a chance to de-stress. I'm doing the same with the super active ruggie I got saturday...tomorrow I'll start giving him a bit of exercise time in the hamster ball, see if he likes it. my two big PPs sure do.

Caroline

This is a little off-topic, but if I go buy him new shells, how do I clean them? I know I read that somewhere on this site, but I'm having trouble finding it now.

I think he wants to change shells because I saw him checking out one of the shells in the tank, but it looks a little too big for him. I need to get some more shells in their that are his size.

boil the shells in dechlor water and then rinse them in dechlor salt water made from marine salt .

Caroline