I have an empty 29gal which I am preparing to put Hermit crabs in them. I have had them before, but when I was younger and they were in a 10gal. We had three of them then. Now I know more, and I am thinking four sounds reasonable; 4 small ones. Please can I get a list of things I need? Can they have a "pool" of water, so would a fiddler crab habitat be suitable for them without the crabs, or no? Right now it's set up as I am getting those, but I changed and am starting to take it apart to turn it into a hermit. My 29gal is about 1/2 water and 1/2 sand, about 7" of water at the deepest part. Is that suitable for them, but I don't think so. I always thought just water bowls because they are mostly land animals, and sponges.
Please tell me everything I will need; and what foods other than Hermit crab food they eat. Thanks! And anything I can make home made so it's not so expensive when I set it up. And things that I should buy, but not required. Things that keep them busy and happy Things that you NEED.
2009-03-06T05:49:27Z
I must be dumb but I still don't get this "dynamite" and "pop tart" thing.
Anonymous2009-03-06T13:50:47Z
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Kids trolling around, just ignore them. Initial costs for the crabs will cost some money, as there are some things one shouldn't skimp out on(heat source being one) I wouldn't put both animals together until you've had plenty of experience with both in an individual tank. I'm not going to say mixing species is impossible, because I've heard of a few tanks with them. It's just not a good idea for someone without good experience to handle, as it will usually end in failure. Yes the crabs can have a pool, but half a 29 gallon tank wouldn't be very fun for them. I just a small(not mini) Tupperware for mine.
It's best to take everything the pet store employees say with a grain of salt. A lot of misinformation has spread about hermies, and pet store employees aren't given accurate information on them. An under tank heater should run you $21. An 8 watt will heat a 10 gallon tank sufficiently. A heat bulb around 35 watts will heat the tank as well. You can pick one up at a home department store for cheap. If that bulb wattage will not heat the tank sufficiently, you can try going up the size just above. Lighting might have a bad effect on your humidity if you get a ridiculously high wattage. This is a link for an under tank heater. As long as the sand is at least twice as deep as your largest crab, it should be fine. You will need aquarium grade sea salt for your hermies(yes ALL hermies should have access to salt water). You don't need to buy a large tub, a 5 gallon bag such as the one shown in the link just below will last a while. /index.jsp?productId=2754897 Here is a link on how to properly mix salt depending on brand. http://crabbywiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Ocean+Water+Mixes&highlight=making%20ocean%20water A simple hydrometer can come in handy, but it's not required. Unless you use distilled water, you're going to need a dechlorinator. As long as it doesn't have stress or slime coat it will be fine. I use this Top Fin. A dial or digital thermometer and hygrometer(or a combo of the two) will be needed to measure the temperature and humidity. Any home improvement store should have a cheap combo with not metal attachments. The dial combo in this link will do the job as well, but calibrate your hygrometer as needed(here's a link of it http://crabbywiki.com/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=7&highlight=calirbrating%20hygrometer) You do need a container for your food. You can use anything like a peanut butter cap or clam shell. As long as it's not metal. For the water you're going to have to find something that allows your crabs to add water into the shells easily(or bathe basically). I use a small plastic container for my salt water(it has some large rocks because it's too deep on its own)and a reptile dish for fresh. You can use one too, but a reptile water bowl will be sufficient as well. If you have a large tank, you can use a good sized Tupperware(only in large tanks). The crabs themselves will costs $5-$11 dollars at a pet store. Remember to look around for a good one. You can decorate your tank with just about anything. Most all my decor comes from a dollar store(the used fish cave is probably the only thing that doesn't). Here's a list of some stuff you can use for decor(from my head mostly). Plastic vines/plants-climbing coco huts(you can make them yourself or buy them)-hidey legos(you can make some nice things if you're good with them)-hidey and climbing A shower caddy makes a good second level ceramic pots-hidey moss pit(oodles of fun for the burrowing hermie, but never use it as a substrate)-humidity log(none collected outside please)-hidey and climbing a plastic basket-climbing fish net-climbing reptile/fish caves(some hamsters hideys like igloos are fine as well a rock wall-climbing coco wall-climbing organic bromeliads(WARNING-they probably won't last long) The hermies will probably destroy them quickly. Anyway it's a nice treat and climbing toy(if it's big enough). :3 plastic containers(if you got a tall one, you could fiddle with it to make a hidey/climbing toy) Strong suction cups(maybe some sold for fish tanks, weak ones don't hold up well) and aquarium silicone will hold just about anything in your tank. Your hermit crabs should be given a varied diet. They shouldn't be forced to eat those little bottles of commercial food. Meats(seafood, a bit of occasional beef, insects and other inverts,etc...), veggies(broccoli, carrots, spinach, etc...), and fruits should all be included in their diet. This website will give you a good idea on what they can eat and some basic food groups. Your crabs might not try something the first time, don't worry. Just be patient, and they should try the food on their own. You might be able to coax them if you mix the new foods with an old favorite. http://hermitcrabcuisine.com/ The humidity should be between 75%-80%. It's pretty easy to keep it up, moist EE can be enough in some cases. Moss pits are great for humidity too. Hiawatha moss is good for them and can be found at craft stores. Get a little plastic basket with good quality suction cups(if you're worried, aquarium silicone sealant is safe to use as a glue) and stick the moss there. This is on moss. Misting the tank is a good quick fix, but gets pretty annoying. http://naturallycrabby.com/home/blog1.ph... Each crabs need at least three shells. Never look at painted shells as an option. The paint(non toxic to humans doesn't equal non toxic to crabs) can kill the poor crabs. Just go to a craft store like Michales and buy a cheap bag for $3-7. Always have a spare 5 gallon tank to isolate any new or sick crabs to keep anything harmful away from your hermies, while making sure your crabs don't get bothered by the others. You can decorate it plainly, the gauges, a good amount of substrate, a hidey, and a small heat source will suffice. Obviously, you won't have to isolate your first crabs, but keep any new crabs afterwords away for at least a month(don't handle them during this time please >-<)
make sure you keep extra shells in there for them, because they will molt and if they don't have any shells they'll just be crawling around in the nude!! That will also make them die. :( poor crabs. Although as the other answer suggests, they do like pop tarts, be careful because some hermit crabs have a genetic predisposition to crustacean diabetes. Of course hermit crabs don't like dynamite exploding around their habitats. however, if you find some old dynamite tubes and carefully, (and I mean super, super carefully) scoop out the nitroglycerin with a butterknife or something, you can use the casings for terrain elements that your crabs can hide in as they like to feel secure.
I thought the only way to get crabs wa by getting nude with your significant other. Obviously I was wrong. What you need is a biggertank. A pool of water id fine, as long as you don't live near anyplace where they are using dynamite. those explosions could cause a tidal wave for your crabs. I wouldn't suggest feeding them poptarts either, but if you want to eat the poptart, then go for it. Other than that, your tank sounds like the perfect cozy, lil home for your crabs. Have fun.
When we were little we would go to nude beaches and take dynamite with us stick it in the sand and set it off. The best part wasn't watching the naked old people drop there pop tarts and run, it was saving all the hermit crabs and bringing them home:)
Oh! Yay a crabber. I have 18 crabs in a 20 & 50 gallon. A 29 gallon could handle four easy.
Okay, my hermit crabs have about 6 inches of sand. They need a lot of sand to molt in.
Hmm. Salt water and a normal water dish. Make sure you use water conditioners.
Plenty of things to climb on. I suggest choya wood, which you can buy at the Addiction Store (link in following paragraph)
Also. for their food, I shop at http://hermitcrabaddictionstore.com/ They have great, cheap organic food to keep your crabs extra healthy. :] I get the Purple Pincher pack and the Addiction Collection. sprinkle some cuttlebone treat on top and they LOVE it. Don't get commercial foods, most contain table salt which can actually kill your crabs.
Sponges aren't necessary. Just get a glass / plastic cover for the tank and mist it. You'll need a humidity and temperature gauge.
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/index.php This is my main resource when it comes to crabbing questions. They also have some excellent caresheets. They have a lot of do-it-yourself threads so you don't end up paying too much for everything.
Happy crabbing!
Edit:: If you're on a budget, go to your local home improvement store and pick up a bag of play sand for the tank. It's about 3.50 for all you need. Just make sure it's not wet or anything. It works great for my crabs.
I personally like to eat dynamite with my crabs while setting off pop tarts in the nude.
Oh, yeah. About 5 shells per crab. I get the decorative shell pack from wal mart for 5 bucks. MUCH cheaper than pet store shells. Make sure you get one with little to no broken shells and boil them in water to make sure there's nothing on em.
And um, I'm going to honestly suggest you keep the dynamite and the pop tarts away from them.
Lol the dynamite and pop tart thing started with the first post. It's just a joke.