I need some help

I really need help · Post by **I really need help** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:33 am

I Found this used 50 gallon tank and I think I going to get it becuase I have been reading about straw berry hermit crabs and would like to get some so I have a few questions.1.DO these crabs require more space than others2.Will they get along with big purple pinchers.3.Any other advice involving the tank or strawberry hermit crabs.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 10:01 am

Fifty gallons is a good tank size to be sure and if it were me I would go on ahead and try to get it anyway.lolStraws are very picky and stress extremely easy, they have some of the strictest care requirements of any species.They have to have a lot of space to move around, burrow and molt.They absolutely require a deep dish of marine grade aquarium salt water so a mix like Instant Ocean or Oceanic's is required they wont live long on fresh water salt mixes like Jungle and API because these mixes tend to be missing a lot of the key elements found in real seawater.This species is one of only a few that does not have the internal salt retention needed to be able to survive off of just the salt in their foods alone so a dish of salt water must be available at all times.They require a constant temp of 80 to 85 degrees and tend to prefer temps a lot warmer than Purple Pinchers though the PP's don't seem to mind when they are in mixed tanks.They are one of the largest growing species getting a lot larger than the PP in the end and so tend to be very destructive so plan on keeping a pretty well kept looking enclosure with them in it they have often been referred to as mini bulldozers.lol They require a constant source of pigment enhancers like Beta Carotene so you have to offer whole raw shrimp, carrots, spirulnia powder and other foods with a high concentration of beta carotene in them to keep the deep red coloration otherwise they will quickly become washed out and sickly looking.They love to climb so lots of climbing decor is a must.

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 4:04 am

Always better to go big if your going to be serious about crabbing. You won't regret it. You will have more room for decorating it and adding those water pools and food dishes. Just takes more money when you replace your substrate. I have a 55 gal I usually have 9 bricks of eco if I can get it in packs of 3 it's cheaper but it's limited around here. I have 3 p.p. all good sized. Two are down molting, one is just digging all over . I should put her in iso, the tank is so heavy to move its just a 10 gal.

I really need help · Post by **I really need help** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 8:58 am

Thank you but about the strawberries are they sensitive to coconut because that's my purple pinchers favorite thing to eat.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:25 am

No they love coconut most species of hermitcrabs love coconut, its a healthy fat and helps to keep them hydrated its a really good food item for hermitcrabs who are pre-molt because it helps them with the molting process.

I really need help · Post by **I really need help** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:34 am

Ok thank you I going to get them this month.