Can you put 2 hermit crabs together in the same cage?

Question

I don't want them to fight or kill each other.

Answer 1

Hi Mate,

I love these little creatures, they are so cool.

Unlike marine crabs , land hermit crabs are not aggressive and can be handled relative safely on the palm your hand. If they feel like they might fall, however, they will pinch, so be sure you
keep you hand flat. They have one big, purple claw which is used for climbing and defense, and a smaller brown claw used to take food and water into their mouth.

They thrive on commercially prepared foods, especially when alternated with fruits, vegetables, bread or peanut butter. There water should be kept in a shallow dish to prevent drowning.

Hermit crabs like a moist environment. The bottom of their cage should be covered with a thick layer of sand or small, smooth stones.

Hermit crabs live in the cast off shells of mollusks. Because the shells do not grow with their bodies, spare (larger) shells must be kept in the cage for them to move into as they grow. Crabs grow by molting their outside skin. When this happens they will burrow to protect their new skin while it hardens. They are inactive during this period.

Description: Land Hermit Crabs can be found throught out The Caribbean Area and South America. They have 4 antenni and 10 legs. Two of the legs are claws, The larger claw is used for climbing and defense. The small claw is used for carrying food and water into it's mouth. Four of the legs are walking legs the others are usually hidden within the shell . The two smallest are used to hold onto the shell

How old is the crab and what sex is it?: There is no way to tell the age or sex of a hermit crab.

Housing: Even though they are small creatures they need room to walk around and climb.
We suggest a minimum of a 10 gallon tank. Theyt do not do well in the small plastic containers they are sold in, in the malls. The tank should have 4-6" of sand on the bottom (you can also use small pebbles, chrused coral / clam shells/oyster shells etc. Land crabs love to climb so you can place pieces of drift wood, coral rocks or 'climbing fences' in the tank.

You need a shallow water dish, we recommend placing a natural sponge in the dish so they don't drown, it also keeps the inside of the tank moist. Also a small dish for food (we use small sea shells). We also recommend providing Salt water (which acts like an antibiotic)

Lighting: Hermit crabs are basically night creatures in the wild. They don't usually come out during the day so a normall aquarium light is fine but should be turned off ti simulate night and day.

Temperature: Remeber they are 'Caribbean' creatures so they enjoy a warm environment between 70-90 degrees.

Moisture: They need plenty of water in there tank sokeep their water dish full and the sponge wet.

Food: Crabs are scavengers and will eat just about anything. Commercially prepared foods (including our custom blend), green vegatables, fruits, peanut butter. Remove fresh foods daily so they don't rot.

Handling: Remeber Hermit Crabs are pets not toys. Handle With Care. When playing with them keep your hands flat if they think they are going to fall they will pinch to try and hold on, depending on the size of the crab it can be painful.

Excersize: If you take them out of their tank to play make sure to keep an eye on them, they can get up to a 'trot' and will disappear in the blink of an eye.

I hope this helps you mate, good luck with those little rippers!

Answer 2

When my nephews were young about 4 and 5 yrs of age I bought them hermit crabs and they were kept in the same tank. Just make sure there is enough food, fresh fruit, water and shells to go around because if there isnt there will be a fight. Most fights though dont end in death, atleast not that I witnessed 12 yrs ago

Answer 3

I read the other posters and I have to tell you that it depends on the crab. I had two that got on well and liked living together. Then I got another, and he killed the first two. He did not like other crabs.

We had a big (aquarium sized) tank that should have handled up to 40 of them, according to the hermit crab seller. But this guy is a killer crab.

Answer 4

just make sure the cage is big for the both of them i use to have two hermit crabs but i dont know what happend they died they got into a fight and one died then the other one got out of its shell and didnt want to go into another one and that one died but hermit crabs are fun just care for them the first one i had lasted for a long time ...their awsome pets !!!!

Answer 5

Hermit crabs are creatures that thrive when they are with others of their own kind. Just make sure that they are close to the same sizes. They are community oriented, so I recommend never keeping them alone.

Answer 6

Hermit crabs are detritus and scavenging feeders, they may fight, but shouldn't attempt to kill one another. As long as sufficient food is available, they will be fine.

Answer 7

you can if they are relatively the same size. i've seen them fight over food and can become quite aggressive. if the aquarium is big enough there really shouldn't be a problem, but a smaller tank, i wouldn't risk it.

Answer 8

Yes. It is not a problem, just make sure you have enough food and water for them both. they're pretty passive critters.

Answer 9

yea they should be OK together just watch them to make sure

Answer 10

make sure they are about the same size they should be ok