Hermit crabs?

Question

I have been researching about them and I know the basics but I would like to hear about how other people have kept them (what size tank, how many, how did you keep it humid, what did you feed them, where you got them, how long did they live?)

thanks

Answer 1

The following is information we provide to customers. Hermit crabs of several sizes will live together. Keep replacement shells that have an entrance hole a little larger than the crab is in now. Painted crab shells are useless and not porous so try to buy natural shells. Sponges hold bacteria and shouldn't be used as a water source. Sand is the best substrate, easier to bury into. To determine if a crab is deceased, smell it, rotten smell equals dead. Hermit crabs are scavengers--that means they eat just about anything. Do not let children aged 5 and under handle them because they can carry salmonella and crabs pinch too. If a crab holds on--place under cold water and it will release.
Feed foods containing salt at least once a week. Provide a water dish that completely covers the crab with water but the crab can easily escape from. Gladware is cheap and works well.
Provide a very small dish for food, because unless you have a lot of crabs or a huge one, you won't notice they eat much. Replace fresh food daily to prevent, flies of all types and mold. Provide a second dish with water and about 1" of calcium sand-the kind used for reptiles. Use bottled or filtered water but not distilled water. Rinse the sandy water 1-2 times a week. Crabs love to get in the sandy water. It is just like at the beach. Calcium sand is also the best substrate, better than play sand because it is cleaner. Malls are the worst places to purchase a hermit crab.
Crabs like to climb so if you provide clean climbing materials, make sure there is a lid on the cage. Simply put, if you have the space, a 10 gallon aquarium is overall the most space and least expensive way of housing, otherwise, purchase a large kritter keeper. Lee's, Penn Plax and several other companies make them. Hermit crabs are extremely soft and sensitive after a molt and shouldn't be disturbed for a day or two. Sometimes the crab will eat the old molt and sometimes leave it behind. Sometimes crabs change shells for no apparent reason, remain unshelled and die, even with extra shells. In heating and air conditioning season, it is a good idea to lightly mist the cage once a day. Do not allow the substrate to be overly moist. Sand sifters are available at pet shops. It is a good idea to occasionally remove all the old sand, wipe out the cage with aquarium salt water and then replace the sand. Customers have had hermit crabs at least 5 years, purchased from our store.

Answer 2

In my California climate, I found it unnecessary for any lighting/heating, and my crab is doing fine. All you need is some gravel, a hermit crab dish for the water (dechlorinated tap water and an occasional bowl of "salt water" found at petstores), extra shells of a variety of sizes, and food. If you live somewhere dry, you may want to keep some moss (I forget what type) as a humidity source. My tank is pretty small (came as a hermit crab starter kit) and I have one tank. They ate a mixture of hermit crab pellets and fish food and I got everything at petco. They supposedly have a long life span if treated properly, so you'll have to wait and see. Oh yes, they do make a lot of noise at night by climbing. And lastly, provide a hut/house for the daytime and get lots of climbing things like clean branches since they love climbing.

Answer 3

I have had hermit crabs on and off for years. They have lasted any where from a few months to 2 years. They are very easy to take care of. I would usually keep 2 at a time in a 5 gallon aquarium. I just fed them hermit crab pellets from the pet store. I tried feeding them veggies but they never ate it. I would mist the aquarium with a spray bottle. Just be careful you change the food frequently, they don't eat much, so there are always a lot of left over pellets. But, if you don't change the food it's gets moldy. Hermit crabs don't so much, but I have always enjoyed them for some reason. Maybe it's time to get another pair. Thanks!.

Answer 4

I started out with one hermit crab...and it lasted about a year and a half....i kept him in a gallon fish tank(minus the water...lol) I kept a squirt bottle and gave the crab a squirt every night...he seemed to like it and it served as a bath..lol. I fed him hermit crab pellets from the store and had a sea shell with water in it...tho he dumped it over time after time....
I got both of my hermit crabs at a mall kiosk and they had pretty shells...they were gorgeous....both of mine died after about 2 years...good luck!

Answer 5

I know one thing about them from a family member/kid owning them. This is critically important.

They molt. When they molt, they will look exactly like they have died. Like an empty husk. But they are still alive. Don't dispose of them or inter them too quickly when they look dead. A new and pink little fellow will emerge before long from what you thought was a "corpse" and everyone will be happy.

Seriously.

Answer 6

So do you wish to have names or support considering that you have no idea the right way to maintain them? Well I can inform what to not do with them for starters don't get to mini extra shells considering that they're going to climb up in them and lovely kill them self seeking to get out adequate! so take it gradual with them adequate that's all i will be able to let you know! GOOD LUCK! -Anna Merine

Answer 7

Check out http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HermiesTalk/ for everything you need to know.

and for supplies check out http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/harpershermies_hermitcrabs/