Brown Pincher

[GotButterflies]

A couple of my e's have heavily modified the outside of their shells too. They are such stubborn crabbies.

[jonathon1989]

Cocoa

I've noticed that. I've read that E'S are stubborn when it comes to shells.

[jonathon1989]

A couple of my e's have heavily modified the outside of their shells too. They are such stubborn crabbies.

I know I have a variety of options for Cocoa but he hasn't tried any of them yet. I've tried encouraging him but he skuttles away from it. Sometimes I have to sit back and just say to myself, "They know what they're doing Jonathon. Let them be crabs."

For temperament, Cocoa is much more friendlier than my other two PP'S. In fact, if I put him into the food dish he'll only stay there if I hover over the tank, almost like a need for protection (this would explain why he follows my large male PP (Claud) around like a little brother.

He is such a cutie. I just love him so much.

[GotButterflies]

I love my Es - they really are my favorite crab. Is this your first E?
I personally recommend the following for them: at least 10 gallons per E, 10-12" of substrate - Es love to dig, 2 proteins a day, multiple calcium sources available at all times (cuttlebone, oyster shell, lobster exo, etc), temps of 80-85. By following these guidelines, I have had no issues with my guys, and I house mine with PPs

I provide mine with lots of shells. They always check them out, but never change. Maybe once every couple of years one will.

[jonathon1989]

I love my Es - they really are my favorite crab. Is this your first E?
I personally recommend the following for them: at least 10 gallons per E, 10-12" of substrate - Es love to dig, 2 proteins a day, multiple calcium sources available at all times (cuttlebone, oyster shell, lobster exo, etc), temps of 80-85. By following these guidelines, I have had no issues with my guys, and I house mine with PPs

I provide mine with lots of shells. They always check them out, but never change. Maybe once every couple of years one will.

Cocoa is my first E. And I can see why they are a favorite. They seem to have more crab like features. The way they skuttle around.

For the substrate, I am upgrading to 12 inches as you recommended. He loves peanut butter and honey. I also give them freeze dried mealworms. I currently give them crushed eggshells and a cuttlebone for calcium. The temperature is always around 80.

He had two other tank mates, also PP'S. They get together really well.

I have a fake tree plant in there and he loves to climb to the top and take naps there. He is a very active climber.

[jonathon1989]

I love my Es - they really are my favorite crab. Is this your first E?
I personally recommend the following for them: at least 10 gallons per E, 10-12" of substrate - Es love to dig, 2 proteins a day, multiple calcium sources available at all times (cuttlebone, oyster shell, lobster exo, etc), temps of 80-85. By following these guidelines, I have had no issues with my guys, and I house mine with PPs

I provide mine with lots of shells. They always check them out, but never change. Maybe once every couple of years one will.

Separate topic but I wanted to bring it up here since you are an administrator. Are there any volunteer opportunities with the Hermit Crab Association?
I would love to help anyway I can. The association has been so much help to me for years now I would love to give back. I'm a student and my major is Office Administration so maybe I might have some skill sets to offer. I'm also a volunteer for another non for profit agency and I've done data entry for them.

[GotButterflies]

There are always volunteer opportunities with the HCA! All of us as members are also volunteers as well, by helping one another as much as possible! Any free time that you are on the HCA, and you are able to help give advice on a subject, please do!