HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Today I visited my local pet store with the intent of buying some bird supplies, but of course I left with a crab.They keep their crabs in a big tank with a few inches of sand and a lamp. There is no heater, and no lid to keep humidity in. I was looking in the tank and didn't see any movement so I assumed there might just be a bunch of empty shells. Then I saw a little shell tucked under a few sponges in the water dish. I pick it up and there was a tiny purple pincher crab in the shell. His shell was ice cold I complained to one of the employees that his/her color was really off and it was cold. It was a very light orange color rather than dark like it should be. She told me if I was so concerned I should just take him for free, so I did. She offered me a container to carry him in, but I decided to just hold him on the way home and try to warm him up. He's so tiny I could hold the shell and close my hand.After about 5-10 minutes I felt his little legs moving and when I opened my hand he started crawling around. He doesn't seem to be missing anything aside from his color. Im hoping he has a chance now in my tank.I currently have 2 larger females in the 10 gallon, and now this little one. I keep saying "he" because Im really hoping for a little guy, but I don't want to traumatize him trying to find out. Both females are in a hole right now so hes got the tank to himself. All 3 will be upgraded to a 20 gallon that Im getting for Christmas.Now the questions...I know hes a purple pincher, because his big claw is purple, but the rest of his body is the wrong color. Will this change as he destresses, or will it only change after he molts?Will I have any problems with him being so much smaller than the others?A few days ago, my oldest female disappeared under the substrate. I assumed she was going down to molt. Today when I came home, the second female was also gone. Then I noticed there was an open hole in the back corner. When I looked down I could see both females. I know the second female is prone to digging holes everywhere, so did she uncover the other one by accident, or are they both trying to molt right next to each other? They're both a few inches down in the hole, but the hole isn't covered.I will try to get some pictures of the little guy later, he's already out exploring and hes so cute!

Hi Kirrie!Congrats to you and your new crab. Sounds like you really saved "him."No worries on the size difference. It's actually helpful because then they won't try to steal each other's shells! I have tiny-large in my tank and everybody crawls over each other and gets along fine.His color will most likely improve as he receives the proper nutrients and care. Not to be depressing but many times they are too far gone to save. Just so you are prepared.If you can see them they are most likely not molting. They spend a while digging around under the sub before finding their molting spot. Even if the first one was going down to molt, if she just went down a few days ago she probably is still working on finding the perfect spot. I wouldn't worry about it.

Ok, thanks!I realize the little guy is in bad shape right now and he might not make it, but I am glad I can at least give him a chance. That's how I approach all of the fish I buy too, specially the bettas. They're always in such horrible conditions in those little cups that you have to understand they may be too sick to save. At least we can comfort them while they're here.Im thinking about writing a letter to the pet store, probably through email. I believe if they just made some quick and easy changes, their hermits would be better off, look healthier, and probably sell more. A bunch of motionless shells in a tank doesn't really make anyone want to buy them.

That's a great idea! Think of all the hermits you could potentially help.

@Kirrie, young/juvenile hermitcrabs will be peachy in color especially if they are newly harvested as wild hermitcrabs tend to be much lighter in color and only darken up through the offering of pigments like beta carotene which helps to enhance the natural coloration of the crab.I've purchased micros and tinnies that were so pale that even the color on the pincher was barely visible but after a few weeks of being on good healthy pigment loaded foods they would start to look better.

Oh I didnt know that! I forgot, I was going to ask if there is anything special I should be feeding him or a special way I should be preparing his food since hes so tiny.

@Kirrie, yeah you can feed raw carrots, green/red/yellow bell peppers and spirulnia powder to enhance the crabs coloration to make it more vibrant and rich.If you feed these foods on an alternating basis for three to four weeks your should start to see an improvement in the crabs general color and tone.

Ok thanks. Where can I find the spirulina powder? Should I be making the food smaller for him to be able to eat it, or will he be fine?I just went to check on him and Hera was out of her hole. I guess she was a little mad when Aphrodite invaded her space.

The first is my oldest female, Hera. The second is the younger female, Aphrodite. And the last is the new little guy that doesn't have a name yet and probably wont until I can figure out its gender. He's about the size of a quarter and his shell looks pretty beat up. Could that be the shell they found him in? I just know Im going to keep calling it a "him" and its going to turn out to be a girl.

I just went to change the water and give them some more food and found a tiny leg behind one of the shells I looked for the little guy and found him in the log. He seems fine and ducked into his shell when I moved the log and scared him.Im not sure why he lost the leg, but would the other crabs attack him for any reason?

No they drop legs from stress. It's just PPS

I did read that once before. I hope he doesn't lose anymore He's got plenty of places to hide now so hopefully he can destress.

I sent a message to the pet store and quickly got a response. I wrote about how awful the conditions were for the crabs and how they could easily be fixed. The person who replied was just a worker, but promised to speak to her managers and show them my message. She said she was going to start collecting the supplies needed for the improvements tomorrow and hopes everything will be changed by the time I visit again. I honestly didnt expect it to go that smoothly, but I am certainly glad it did! I think the next time I visit I will mark down some things about the aquarium section and address that issue too because their tanks arent in great condition. I dont think they're hiring right now, but maybe if I convince them I know what Im doing, they will hire me to help make improvements! I doubt it, but that would be great

That would be awesome! All pet stores should have somebody like you who can be a pet advocate. So glad their response was so positive!

So am I! Im excited to go back to the store sometime after the holidays and check on the crabs.