How many crabs in a 20 gallon long?

[robinwhiskers]

I currently have a 10 gallon tank for my hermit crabs. 2 of my small PP's I got in September of 2015 and my third PP I got in April of 2016. They are all small (not tiny, but not quite medium sized) and usually only 2 are up at a time and I probably can't fit any more in there even though it is spacious and 3 crabs are never up at once...is that correct? Because hermies are addicting and although I don't want to overcrowd I want to help as many clawed babies as possible.

I might ask for a 20 gallon long tank for Christmas so my current hermies could have more space, I could add more things to the crabitat, and I could get more crabs. I can definitely afford one but I don't know if my parents would allow me to so Christmas would be the best time to ask for one. I'd also use all Christmas money towards decorating the tank with a hamster wheel, moss pit, etc. Everything I've wanted that are difficult to fit in my 10 gallon.

Anyway, how many smaller sized hermit crabs can live happily in a 20 gallon tank for the future?

[C_fiesta]

You could probably get one more, but I wouldn't do any more than that because they will start growing and molting space is a premium.

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[daws409]

Agreed! They grow really fast when they're smaller and seem to slow down a bit after reaching med/large stage.

A good rule of thumb to follow:
Medium or smaller crabs need 5 gals per crab.
Large's need at least 7 gals per crab.
And Jumbo's need at least 15 gals per crab and a minimum 75G tank.

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[wodesorel]

That's a lot more space per gallon then our recommendations here, and what I've persoanlly done in the past without problems. However, the guidelines in our care section only take into account how much space they need at this moment in time.

If the 20 is where you'll be staying, honestly I think that's a good size for your 3. It could certainly support a lot more than that now, but in a few years you'd be looking at having to upgrade again because they do grow fast.

[robinwhiskers]

I'm having trouble understanding your responses. Would I be able to get a 4th teeny crab and upgrade to a 20 gallon in 6 months?

[daws409]

That's a lot more space per gallon then our recommendations here, and what I've persoanlly done in the past without problems. However, the guidelines in our care section only take into account how much space they need at this moment in time.

Here's what I based my numbers off of... All I did was round the numbers up to make it easier to remember and it provides a little growing room.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92541


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[daws409]

I'm having trouble understanding your responses. Would I be able to get a 4th teeny crab and upgrade to a 20 gallon in 6 months?

4 crabs in a 10G is doable. Even if you upgrade to a 20 in a few months... You'll still need to upgrade to a larger tank in a few years. Hermies will grow faster than you think

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[robinwhiskers]

Oooh, really? I know a 20 gallon tank is definitely in my future, and even larger tanks when needed.

So I'd be okay purchasing a teeny crab next time I'm at Petsmart?

[daws409]

As long as they each have their "on space", I think you'll be fine for a couple of months.

And before others start lashing out at me for suggesting an overcrowded tank, here's JMT's thread (the reason for my answer).... http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=90810

Edit- "own space" lol
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[robinwhiskers]

Thank you, I'll check it out!

I'm already very excited, I hope there is a teeny I can "save" at my local Petsmart. They aren't as good at pet care as our Petsmart 40 minutes away (their hermit crab tank is even worse and all of their Betta fish are sickly) but I'll have to take a look. I've never seen the hermies there but I see the tank all set up so maybe they're just burrowing.

[daws409]

You're welcome and good luck!

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[robinwhiskers]

Thanks! I noticed I especially needed more space when I brought home a ferret litter pan as a new corner food bowl and a hamster dust bath as a shell shop yesterday. They didn't look too big while at the store, but once placed in my 10 gallon tank they took up that whole area of the tank!

[daws409]

Have you tried a lizard hammock for the shell shop? I couldn't find pics of my old 10G but here's the same one in a 40B.... I used command strips instead of the suction cups it came with. And the corner is lower compared to the two sides... Keeps the shells from falling out.

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[robinwhiskers]

I was considering getting a repti hammock at Petsmart but they're crazy expensive there...I've seen cheap ones on Amazon in the past so I might take a look.

I'm soooo excited to get a teeny crab, I've never had a very small one before, because I got my 2 original crabs a couple years ago, and my next crab 14 months ago so getting a new hermit crab is a special thing for me because I've only had the 3.

Now if I was getting another land snail...let's just say I have and have had a TON of those guys!