We purchased two other crabs at the same time...they both died within a week of us owning them.
Hermie thrived in the 10 gallon setup we've had since the beginning. Luckily I was a bit obsessive about researching his needs, so I learned quickly about substrate, humidity, and all the rest. He's been in a substrate of Eco-Earth & sand for all this time, and had so many successful molts I can't even keep track! Here are some pics from maybe 6 months ago.
After coming up from a six week molt in the fall, he seemed much bigger and promptly changed shells.
He was also way more active & started digging up every inch of the tank, turning over water bowls, food bowls, etc. It was quite evident that Hermie needed more space.
Also, I visited a neighbor who had kept a hermit crab for three years in a critter carrier with 1/2 inch of dry EcoEarth and only one dish of water with two dirty sponges. No thermometer or hydrometer. She said the crab has molted twice and has not gotten any bigger in those 3 years. When I told her a bit about my setup, she wanted to give me her crab on the spot! As much as I wanted to help that poor crab, I knew I couldn't even think about adopting a crab until we at least doubled the size of our setup.
Two weeks ago, I purchased a 20 gallon long after much agonizing. We had kept the 10 gal on a kitchen counter and my husband & I did not want a stand-alone tank with its own table. I knew that Hermie would need 6 inches of substrate--only leaving 6 inches above ground. Definitely not ideal, but for a while it's better than what we had. So I gathered materials, had my hubbie drill holes in a plastic corner guard & silicone them to 3 sides of the tank, and then mixed a 5:1 EcoEarth/sand substrate. I put up two Ultratherm mats on two sides of the tank, insulated them, got the tank to the correct temp & humidity. I was still waiting to get corner baskets to set up a moss pit & shell shop, then Hermie completely trashed the 10 gallon! So I transferred him that night. I think he knew what was going on & was ready to move out!!
My neighbor came by with her crab today & I put this sweet, tiny thing into the new tank. She went right over to Hermie & they were acting like long lost friends!!
I only have this one picture of her because I've been to busy fussing over the tank & worrying about her transition.
I will hopefully have good news to report tomorrow.
. I'm sure Hermie will be so happy to have a pal to share his new palace, too.
