Hermit Crab Care 101

Coenobita compressus — Let’s Get Started!

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Have you found yourself an unprepared parent of a hermit crab or two? Are you prepared to give them the proper habitat in which they can survive long term? If so, here’s a very basic list of supplies to get you started.

A glass tank

go as big as you can afford
it doesn’t have to hold water
it doesn’t have to be new (check the newspaper, craigslist, yard sales, Facebook Market)

A secure lid for the tank

a mesh lid with a solid barrier on top to retain humidity is ideal
you can use saran wrap in a pinch but not ideal long term
a piece of plexiglass or coroplast is a good cover for the mesh lid
hermit crabs are escape artists! Place heavy weights or locks on your lid

Substrate for the tank

6-12 inches deep or 3 times as deep as your largest crab is tall
Play sand meant for a sand box is perfect http://amzn.to/1PLQOMu
Coco fiber which is shredded coconuts http://amzn.to/1KhJaHb
Mix the play sand and coco fiber together, roughly 5 parts DRY sand to 1 part DRY coco

Heat source

We recommend Ultratherm heat pads http://amzn.to/2EVPmb2
Can be insulated with Reflectix Reflective Roll Insulation or other DIY options http://amzn.to/1PLR1zg
Place on the back wall of the tank to provide gradient heat. (Warm and cool zones)

Heat Mat Placement Gradient Temperature Guide

Light source

If you have a well lit room that will illuminate the tank during the day you can get by without a lamp. No direct sunlight on the tank.
Be aware of how the room temperature rises during summer.
They need a normal light/dark 12/12 hour cycle.

Water conditioner

We recommend Prime Aquarium Water Conditioner http://amzn.to/1PLRcu9

Ocean Salt Mix

Not freshwater aquarium salt!
Instant Ocean is the most common brand and is easy to find http://amzn.to/1SrKxnM
These other brands are also good and may be available in your particular area: Fluval Sea Salt, Red Sea Salt, Coralife, Oceanic Sea Salt, Tetra Marine Sea Salt and Marinium.

Bowls

Cheap disposable food storage bowls work great!
Water dishes should be deep enough for your largest crab to submerge.
Provide exit ramps for small crabs

Gauges

Skip the cheap, analog gauge at the pet store, go wireless and digital. WalMart carries digital indoor/outdoor Thermometer Hygrometer You can also buy online. http://amzn.to/1KhJDZM
Hygrometers should be calibrated prior to use

Check out this video on how to set up a temporary crabitat in a storage bin: https://youtu.be/x29JaAr9w9U?list=LLCYR6QkuCDm4MJ8hEDeBqvQ.

Bins are not a permanent home, but may be needed in emergencies.

FRENCH TRANSLATION by Anne-Julie Dionne

ITALIAN TRANSLATION by Alessandra Brambilla

Italian translation of Feeding Guide is at the bottom.

The following articles are very helpful and will cover pretty much everything you need to know about keeping land hermit crabs as pets.

Crabitat–

Setting up a Proper Crabitat
Why dry substrate?

Humidity-
How do I create and maintain humidity in my crabitat?
Calibrating your Humidity Gauge

Temperature-
Methods for heating your crabitat

Molting–
What is molting?
Pre Molt Symptoms
Is my hermit crab dead or molting?

Dropped or Missing Limbs-
Caring for hermit crabs with limb loss or other deformities
Why do land hermit crabs drop limbs?
Technique for Adjusting New Crabs – PPDS Method