HCA: Hermit Crab Association

i have 3 large and 1 medium crab and oh boy they throw substrate everywhere
in the water
in their food dish
bury most their shells
like when they dig they make huge messes and it goes everywhere and they makes i guess you could say dents where their tunnels are and it goes everywhere
they dig down during the day and come out at night so this is an every day problem
so i know i’m not the only one with this problem, butI was wondering how anyone else handles their messy crabs
are their any diy things you guys have made for these crabs?
any tips on trying to keep things somewhat neat?

It's a never ending issue! They are destructive! I've put the extra shells on a second level to help prevent them getting buried, but they knock them down and bury them anyway. They always kick sand in the waters and foods. I've put food dishes on a higher level too. Just be careful that when straightening up, don't disturb the holes and tunnels! If they collapse, crabs could be injured and/or killed.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

I change things around on the tank often to keep them active so I clean up the tank. Besides that theres not much to keep them from trashing the tank. But its a sign of healthy hermit crabs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yeah i think i’m going to have to try and get creative with my tank
good thing they are healthy tho! they were the rescue crabs i got not even two weeks ago

jonathon1989 wrote:I change things around on the tank often to keep them active so I clean up the tank. Besides that theres not much to keep them from trashing the tank. But its a sign of healthy hermit crabs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, then I've got a couple of really healthy crabs. I however am getting tired of setting the wheel back upright twice a day. LOL

Sent from my SM-J337A using Tapatalk

I use the lids that came with my tupperware containers as food trays lol. It was driving me crazy picking food off of the sand constantly. The lids really help contain the mess!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

CrabbyLover77 wrote:I use the lids that came with my tupperware containers as food trays lol. It was driving me crazy picking food off of the sand constantly. The lids really help contain the mess!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Thats a great idea.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jonathon1989 wrote: Thats a great idea.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

I have this one large crab names bugsy (he came with a painted shell with a bug drawing on it) and omg he loves eggs when i make them, but he drags them into the coconut hut with him!

crabs_lex wrote:I have this one large crab names bugsy (he came with a painted shell with a bug drawing on it) and omg he loves eggs when i make them, but he drags them into the coconut hut with him!

How do you make the eggs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can make them scrambled or just put them in a mug and stir and put them in the microwave for about a minute or until done

Cats for pets = hair on everything and cat litter tracked on the floor.
Dogs for pets = hair on most things, and dog toys un-stuffed on the floor.
Crabs for pets = sand in the sink and on the floor, and trashed tanks!

I do the same as crabs_lex. I put an egg or two in a microwave safe croc/dish and heat it for 1-2 mins to make scrambled eggs. The other night I mixed in coconut flakes and amaranth seeds and they loved it. I think eggs is their favorite fresh food for sure.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

curlysister wrote:Cats for pets = hair on everything and cat litter tracked on the floor.
Dogs for pets = hair on most things, and dog toys un-stuffed on the floor.
Crabs for pets = sand in the sink and on the floor, and trashed tanks!

Yes lol!!!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

curlysister wrote:Cats for pets = hair on everything and cat litter tracked on the floor.
Dogs for pets = hair on most things, and dog toys un-stuffed on the floor.
Crabs for pets = sand in the sink and on the floor, and trashed tanks!

So true!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk