Hermit Crab Care?

I recently bought a fish tank that came with a few hermit crab items, so I'm considering getting hermit crabs again
I've had hermit crabs before, but I was little and don't remember anything so.. That's why I'm here!
This is what I have so far:
Misc. food (in picture)
Zoo med hermit crab heater (4w)
Zoo med hermit crab sand (2 lb)
All living things soaking salt
Zoo med hermit crab salt water conditioner (part 2)
1x hermit crab hide(?)


So my questions are:
1- minimum tank size (thinking 2-4 hermit crabs)
2- what other "equipment" do I need?
3- how should I set up the tank?
4- how / how often do I feed them?
5- how / how often do I change their water/sponge(?)?
6- anything else you think I should know..
I have a couple 10 gallon tanks that I'm not using, so I can use those if suggested, but I still want to know the minimum size

 

HI FallenOwl
This sticky might help:
INFO: Basic Hermit Crab Care

 

Thank you! That was just what I needed.
So my only question now is:
If I want to have both jumbo crab(s) and smaller crabs(?) what size tank would I need?
If a 10 will work for both (and I can put them together) could I have 1 jumbo crab and 5 small crabs (purple pinchers)?

 

I believe Fanatic keeps hermit crabs and may be able to advise

 

Thank you! That was just what I needed.
So my only question now is:
If I want to have both jumbo crab(s) and smaller crabs(?) what size tank would I need?
If a 10 will work for both (and I can put them together) could I have 1 jumbo crab and 5 small crabs (purple pinchers)?

Hey! So if you are wanting to keep hermit crabs, you'll need these requirements.

Jumbo crabs will do best in a 20 gallon long, but you can do high. I recommend 20 gallon long. You also may go bigger if you wish. Smaller crabs, (2-3") can easily live in 10 gallon tanks, but you may break these exceptions, and go bigger! I always recommend that, whatever is best for you.

Since you have a jumbo, and five smaller ones, I'd suggest buying a 20 gallon long. I've got purple pinchers, and they are in a 10g, but I want to upgrade... Keeping all of these crabs together isn't a problem, but you need to provide them with things to do!

Here's an example of my setup.

 

Thank you Fanatic
My main concern was them fighting or something similar.. Or maybe different care requirements. Will definitely look into getting a 20 gallon long!

 

Thank you Fanatic
My main concern was them fighting or something similar.. Or maybe different care requirements. Will definitely look into getting a 20 gallon long!

Your welcome!

Hermit crabs can fight, but they rarely do. Mine never fight because I somehow picked a crab that loves the other one. Hermit crabs can't breed in captivity, so you won't have to worry about that. Once you get your tank, you can send pictures of things you want to buy, like supplies and things. I'll be able to help further if needed.

 

Ok, it looks like I'm stuck with a 10g, so I'll just do 5 smaller crabs. This is what I have so far:
10g tank (screen lid)
2 "hides"
1 water dish
1 food dish
A few shells (getting more)
Sticks / fake plants
Zoo med, eco earth loose coconut fiber substrate
Play sand

 

Ok, it looks like I'm stuck with a 10g, so I'll just do 5 smaller crabs. This is what I have so far:
10g tank (screen lid)
2 "hides"
1 water dish
1 food dish
A few shells (getting more)
Sticks / fake plants
Zoo med, eco earth loose coconut fiber substrate
Play sand

Looks great! Keep going and it'll be awesome!

For the substrate, I'd create a the layer of sand underneath, and then top it off with 2-3 inches of eco earth.

 

Ok, how/how often do I clean the tank and their water?

 

Ok, how/how often do I clean the tank and their water?

Since you have sand on the bottom layer, about an inch will do. The eco earth soil on the top layer, will need to be scooped out to remove waste. I recommend removing most/all the Eco Earth every 6 months. You'll just scoop out their waste every week or so.

Hermit crabs need fresh food and water daily. If you are feeding them pellet formula foods, or powder foods, that can stay for two days without spoiling, depending on your humidity.

Layer the Eco Earth with about 3-4 inches above the sublayer of sand. I find using a small of jungle bark bedding works well for a carpeting layer for the crabs to find appealing. I used it in my tank, and they loved it, and burrowed in it.

Molting will also occur, so that's why I want you to provide them with a deep layer of Eco Earth for them to completely cover themselves in each night, and time of molting.

 

Friendly Bump.
How is the crabitat going? Ever get some crabs?

 

My family went to VA Beach today and they brought home a hermit crab in a small plastic bucket. They apparently caught him. I don't live anywhere close to saltwater so returning him is a bit difficult. I also don't have a salt water tank. Would he be okay without the water? Also, any idea on how to care for this guy? He seems different from your average hermit crab.

 

I'd get him back to salt water ASAP. Those beach Hermits are VICIOUS and will attack and eat anything. Even each other. They do need the saltwater.

 

It’s not a land hermit crab, meaning you cannot keep it on soil or anything similar. I would definitely return the hermit crab back to the ocean.

 

Alright. I'll see what I can do. But for now, is there anything I can do for him? I have a general idea about saltwater set ups, and I have a spare 7 gallon tank.

Also, any idea of what species he is?

 

Alright. I'll see what I can do. But for now, is there anything I can do for him? I have a general idea about saltwater set ups, and I have a spare 7 gallon tank.

If you want to keep him by himself, you can. just use sand for the substrate and slope it so there is a spot to crawl out of the water. (Actually , you may not need this. They can stay submerged in shallow water).You might not need a filter but you'd have to change the water frequently and it has to be saltwater of the same salinity as the ocean. I had a couple one time (until one ate the other when it tried to move into a bigger shell). That's another thing. You will have to provide a few shells of varying sizes equal to or preferably a little bigger than the one he is in now. They eat anything, including Marine fish food. It looks like a common Beach Hermit. They are much more active than the land hermits.

 

If you want to keep him by himself, you can. just use sand for the substrate and slope it so there is a spot to crawl out of the water. (Actually , you may not need this. They can stay submerged in shallow water).You might not need a filter but you'd have to change the water frequently and it has to be saltwater of the same salinity as the ocean. I had a couple one time (until one ate the other when it tried to move into a bigger shell). That's another thing. You will have to provide a few shells of varying sizes equal to or preferably a little bigger than the one he is in now. They eat anything, including Marine fish food. It looks like a common Beach Hermit. They are much more active than the land hermits.

All of the common beach hermits I'm finding online seem to be the hermit crabs commonly sold at pet stores, maybe the species name?

And if he's social, how would I go about finding another? Of course I'm not gonna go to the beach and try and find another one, but how would I find one in the pet store or should I look online?

 

That thing is a marine hermit crab, it does not need land to walk around on.

It will however, need a saltwater tank ASAP. Without a saltwater tank, it will die.

Really only 3 courses of action to ensure this little ones survival. Go to your local pet store that has a marine section and ask if they can take him in, post an ad online and look for anyone that's willing to home the little one, or set up an aquarium for him.


If you do want to set up an aquarium, you definitely need these few things:
- marine salt water (many use instant ocean)
- live rock (this forms the water filtration)
- a source of water movement (small pump, or large airstone will work)


And the little one needs the above things quickly! It will die without them longterm, and I would suggest making it a priority to get him in somewhat ideal conditions.

Looks to me like Pagurus longicarpus.

 

That thing is a marine hermit crab, it does not need land to walk around on.

It will however, need a saltwater tank ASAP. Without a saltwater tank, it will die.

Really only 3 courses of action to ensure this little ones survival. Go to your local pet store that has a marine section and ask if they can take him in, post an ad online and look for anyone that's willing to home the little one, or set up an aquarium for him.


If you do want to set up an aquarium, you definitely need these few things:
- marine salt water (many use instant ocean)
- live rock (this forms the water filtration)
- a source of water movement (small pump, or large airstone will work)


And the little one needs the above things quickly! It will die without them longterm, and I would suggest making it a priority to get him in somewhat ideal conditions.

Thank you! I'm already working on the tank for the little guy. And I don't have any live rock, but I do have live sand, will that be enough?

Looks to me like Pagurus longicarpus.

I agree, doing my research on him as I type this. Since it seems like he'll be staying a while, I've decides to call him Sandy Dandy since I don't know it's gender.

 

Thank you! I'm already working on the tank for the little guy. And I don't have any live rock, but I do have live sand, will that be enough?

Live sand could work. But try to get some live rock in there IMO. After a while, the rock will preform most of the filtration. But the sand should help kick start bacteria on the rock.

I agree, doing my research on him as I type this. Since it seems like he'll be staying a while, I've decides to call him Sandy Dandy since I don't know it's gender.

Gendering can be tricky. But glad you decided to take him (it) in.

 

So I've decided the five will be his temporary home and that he'll be upgraded to a 10 gallon whenever I get the time. But that being said, any sticking ideas for him? I was thinking of maybe trying to find another long leg like him. Anything else that could go with him?

 

Looks to me like Pagurus longicarpus.

I agree but like I said, they are vicious and cannibalistic. You're better off with just one.

 

I agree but like I said, they are vicious and cannibalistic. You're better off with just one.

Well, hehe, looks like he'll just have to get stay by himself

 

Get a 5-10 gallon tank add sand for digging , get two bowls one for fresh water and one for saltwater. Then a food dish, get stuff for him to climb on and hide in

They also need a heat mat to radiate humidity

 

Get a 5-10 gallon tank add sand for digging , get two bowls one for fresh water and one for saltwater. Then a food dish, get stuff for him to climb on and hide in

They also need a heat mat to radiate humidity

Its a marine crab. So won't need a heat mat - at most a submersible heater - and won't need freshwater or a deep substrate.

 

Get a 5-10 gallon tank add sand for digging , get two bowls one for fresh water and one for saltwater. Then a food dish, get stuff for him to climb on and hide in

They also need a heat mat to radiate humidity

It's a marine fully aquatic crab. They live underwater. They will come up on the beaches sometimes or get pushed there by waves but they return to the water quickly. In my 35 years in Florida I saw literally thousands of the same crabs on Fort Myers Beach and even kept a few in my tank until I saw how vicious they were. Then it was back to the beach with them.