HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi, I am new here. I just got a hermit crab today, his name is Sebastian. I will be picking him up a friend( or two) soon. Such an interesting little guy. Hope to learn lots here so I can keep him happy and healthy.

Welcome this place has a lot of accurate information. I am personally happy here. hope you enjoy it here too. How did you get Sebastian?

From Petsmart. I wanted to get a friend or two for him but some of the others were bigger than him so I wasn't sure he'd be okay. He's very small. This weekend, I'll be getting one or two more.

I've heard alot of opinions about this but from some advice I received and followed it really shouldn't mater too much about having various sizes. I personally only have 1 big crab and it gets smaller from there and I have not had too much of a problem. As long as you base everything on your smallest and largest crab. So water dishes should be deep enough for largest crab to fully submerge it's self however you should provide a good way for your small ed crab to get out. So plastic vine, river rocks, and plastic canvas are good ways. And just keep an eye on everyone. For example I noticed my larger crab wasn't letting the smaller ones eat by sitting on the food bowl so I added a 2nd bowl a inch apart so he couldn't take both and problem solved. I personally don't go too much bigger but from what I hear people have not had an issue. I have not measured the size of the shells but I measure their openings and here is my diffrence: my largest is 3.5 cm opening smallest is 1.5 cm opening. Everyone else is in between them. And if you are worried about crab on crab violence as long as they have a good variety of shells(so that they don't fight over them) and a good amount of protein in their diet they should be fine. I've never had a problem even with the size diffrences but i had the exact same worry when i first came here too its a logical worry. I found this list http://landhermitcrabs.com/eve...5101988/m/6394049897 to be the most helpful in giving them an good diet

Welcome. Size shouldn't matter. There are a few of the members that have had such a size difference that the small ones could and would hitch a ride on the bigger ones shells.

No size doesn't matter, but different types of crabs kind of do..some need just a little bit more of this or that..or a little more finicky & touchy. Your crabs will be fine as long you keep their diet in check. Lots of protein, calcium, veggies, etc..they should be fine..read their food list on here. Really good go to foods are air popped pop corn, cuttle bone, organic baby foods & peanut butters , boiled eggs, green salads like spring mix from the store. Just wash really well.. these will keep your crabs healthy and not attacking others. Oh and yes worm poop! Worm castings!