New crab owner and need some pointers and or help!

[Krusty2015]

Hi I am a new crab owner. A hermit crab somehow ended up outside my house in mid GA. We have no neighbors with hermit crabs so we have no idea where he came from! I have him a 10 gallon tank with a screen lid that 3/4 covered with plastic wrap. I currently have hermit coconut soil in his tank.He has 2 water bowls ( salt and declornated), a food bowl ( I have 3 kinds of foods I try to change it up daily and trying some fresh tomato tomorrow!), plastic climbing log and plants, makeshift hut until we find one big enough for him. I have temp/humidity gage and his temp is around 73-74 and humidity at 78%. I do also have a bottle of declornated water for spritzing his tank when his humidity goes down. I had to use something called salt soak to give him a bath from being outside instead of stress coat but I will be ordering that online when I can find it. Anything else I can do or get to make him as healthy and happy as possible? Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy post!!

[lauraroberson]

Hey there! Always happy to have new crabbers around who are trying to do their best! So thanks for that!
My first few tips are:
The temp should come up some. A good rule is to have heat and humidity both about 80°/80%.
So maybe try insulating the back (possibly also the sides) of the tank with foam board and foil. And your humidity could come up a bit, so to bring that up you could get a air bubbler to stick in the crabbies water. (may also help enough for you to not have to spray the tank as often.
I would also get him at least one friend asap, it is very important for them. But to do that you need to be sure you know what kind he is (purple pincher, or Ecuadorian are most likely) because you need the friends to be the same spiecies.
I do have a few questions for you:
1. How many inches of substrate do you have set up!
2. How deep are the water dishes you have set up?
3. Are they deep enough for the crab to fully submerge in?
4. How big would you say the crab is? (adding a photo to the thread would help in two ways, we could help identify the type of crab he is is you are unable to, and the size have something like a quarter to compare to in the photo if you do post one).
Size matters for a few reason.. Like if the tank if enough gallons for him especially when you add friends to the equation. And also the the amount of inches of substrate you have enough. And what size shells you should have for him. Which reminds me, you didn't mention having extra shells in your post so if you don't have some I would get some for him.

I do want to mention for a very new crabber you have definately started off excellently. So you should be very proud/happy of that. We are happy to have you join us. And fair warning, IT'S VERY ADDICTING!

[Krusty2015]

I think he or she is a pp. I have about 3 inches of soil now but will get more in next day or so. The water bowls are medium depth and he loves splashing around and trashing both! I do have a sponge in the declornated water since it is a tad bigger than the salt just for my piece of mind he can get out ok! I will look into your pointers on the humidity and temp.I actually got foam board today for a separate craft but it got warped when I got stuck in the rain so I might can use it for his tank! He is about ping pong ball sized I would guess I might can find a comparison tomorrow but here is a picture of Krusty. I am already addicted to crabbing lol. Oh and he will be getting a friend the week after next I am going out of town and leaving my poor hubby in charge of him so I thought 2 would be a lot for him to handle just yet! His 3 extra shells should be here Tuesday!!

[Krusty2015]

How do I add an image?

[Crabinski]

How do I add an image?

The "How to" link below appears as the first entry in the PICTURES section.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... =8&t=87783

[Krusty2015]

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[Krusty2015]

He of course is in a 10 gallon now this was Monday when I was just trying to get him through the night.

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[lauraroberson]

Awesome stuff!
Only thing else I would suggest now is just maybe find a good rock instead of a sponge to use in the water.. Since the sponge will collect a lot of bacteria. And to just be sure to get more shells the right size for the other 2 crabs you will get. He is deff. a PP.

Welcome to the addiction, you're ganna love it!!

(also, not sure what kind the 3 foods you are feeding are, but I would definately check out more organic type foods. If you don't want to make your own mixes you can order stuff. I have ordered from deliciouslycrabby on etsy. Good stuff that's not exspensive)

[Krusty2015]

What kind of rock and where could I find that? I will definitely ditch the sponge when I get one then! I have 3 coming in Tuesday for him and will get more before I get another pp. I am feeding him tetra fauna hermit crab meal, all living things food medley, Wardley hermit crab dried shrimp and zoo med hermit crab fruit medley.

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[Krusty2015]

Thanks for the website as well!

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[lauraroberson]

Happy to help!
Any rock you can find that would be a good size to help him in and out would be good, just be sure to clean it well (boil in dechlor. water).
And for the food you are feeding currently I would check out this thread
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 25&t=92555
To see what is safe and what is not.

[wodesorel]

Hermits have been found all over the country - either as escaped pets or as dumps. I have one that someone found in their backyard here in Ohio.

Please check out our careguide if you haven't yet - it has a shopping list and covers the basics: viewtopic.php?f=51&t=92457

Don't worry about the Stress Coat - they do not need to be bathed, doing so just stresses them out. Give him deep enough water bowls with a way to climb out and he'll do it himself if he needs it. You can get a good dechlorinator though that takes care of chlorine/chloramine, ammonia and heavy metals and use regular tapwater instead of bottled. Stress coat is used for fish to help keep their slime coat, it does nothing for hermits!

Please be cautious with rocks from outside - some kinds can leach toxic minerals into water. Going with something for fish is the safest and easiest route!

[lauraroberson]

Please be cautious with rocks from outside - some kinds can leach toxic minerals into water. Going with something for fish is the safest and easiest route!

^^what wodesorel said about rocks.
I was not thinking of outside rocks when I said "any rock you can find". I was meaning ones from pet stores. Sorry for the confusion.

[Krusty2015]

Thank you both! I will look at the pet store tomorrow for a small rock when I pick up more soil. Oh good I was so worried about the stress coat good to know not needed. He is always splashing through his water dishes so I'm sure he is staying clean!! How much soil is needed? I have about 3 to 3 1/2 in there right now I know more is needed but how much more?

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[lauraroberson]

You need at least 6" of substrate (and more is always better). The amount of substrate needed also goes up with the size of the crab, at least 3x the size of the crab.