HCA: Hermit Crab Association

One of the hermits started digging down in the moss pit about 2 days ago. It's shell still exposed. The other crab has been active getting up at night. Afterwards he would go back to by his friend. This morniing they both are under the moss in the pit completely hidden. There is a hump, so I'm pretty sure they are there. Although I cant see them. I'm afraid to move the moss. I don't want to disturb them.

Are these guys starting to molt? If so, will they be ok molting there? I'm worried about the plastic under them.

I just got these guys 6 days ago.

it's ok to check on them in the moss but they probably just like to sleep there like mine. All my crabs sleep in one of the moss pits during the day.

So this might be a stupid question but... How did you make your moss pits? Do you use real moss or fake stuff you can buy from pet stores? I want to add one to my tank!

Mine spend their days (and sometimes their nights too) buried in the moss pit. They could end up molting there, but if they do I wouldn't worry - I have several who prefer to use the moss pits for molting rather than burying down like a normal crab.

You can use real moss that you collected as long as you know it's safe and has no pesticides. I always buy reptile moss as I use a lot of it and it's usually clean and fluffy with no work on my part.

Thanks... Its good to know this is normal & its ok to check on them.

blitz wrote:So this might be a stupid question but... How did you make your moss pits? Do you use real moss or fake stuff you can buy from pet stores? I want to add one to my tank!

I used a shower caddy & zoo-med frog moss. Only thing is that mine keeps turning brown, even if I mist it.

Cool, thanks! I'm gonna try that.

Make sure to use the real moss, not the fake stuff. They will eat it and get sick. The real stuff they can eat, yum yum! Mine love to munch on the moss. You can use a corner shower caddy (they come with suction cups) on the side of the tank and then make a climber so they have a 2nd level. Mine are in there all day!

I have the zoomed frog moss. So I think that is real moss. When you say "fake" you mean like the craft store moss?

Is Fluker's Green Sphagnum Moss safe? The package says "All natural moss terrarium bedding" but I just want to be sure... Any idea?

Yes and no. The stuff that you see under fake decorative tress that looks like moss is the fake stuff. Craft stores do sell reall moss but it has pesticides and all kinds of stuff added to it to make it bug free, which would hurt the crabs if they ate it.

I try to stay away from Fluckers moss because they add a green dye to it. I don't know if it will hurt the crabs, but I don't want them sleeping and eating it. I have walked into stores and seen some that are slightly electric green.

I use Zilla Beaked Moss.

I also use the Zilla Beaked Moss and my moss pits are usually full of crabs.

Thanks everyone!