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The Crab Street Journal
The Crab Street Journal

Where hermit crab addicts go!

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Hermit Crab Care 101

Coenobita compressus
Let’s Get Started!

First and foremost use the SEARCH BOX and SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH! Our site has a ton of information and nearly every question that a new crabber is trying to answer, has been asked here before. We work hard to maintain a current and extensive library of articles to help you.

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
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.

Translations

Hermit Crab Care 101-English

Hermit Crab Care 101-French

Hermit Crab Care 101-Italian

Hermit Crab Care 101-Swedish

Hermit Crab Care 101-Korean (coming soon)

Hermit Crab Nutritional Requirements-English

Hermit Crab Nutritional Requirements-French

Hermit Crab Nutritional Requirements-Italian

Hermit Crab Feeding Guide-Korean (coming soon)

Want to translate to another language for us? Contact Us-crabstreetjournal@gmail.com

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 – PPDR Method

Shell-less Hermit Crab-
My Hermit Crab has left its shell! What do I do?

Food-
Hermit crab food guide
Safe and unsafe foods

Water-
How do I mix ocean water?
Why can’t I use just tap water alone?

Shells-
Land Hermit Crab Shell Guide
Painted Shells

Escaped Hermit Crab-
Locating an Escaped Hermit Crab

Cost Cutting-
Cost Cutting Tips
A guide for setting up a large crabitat on a budget

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Related

2014-02-18
In: Caresheets, FAQ
Tagged: are hermit crabs nocturnal, beginner, bernard-l'ermite, cangrejo ermitaño, crabitat, cua ẩn sĩ, dead hermit crab, Einsiedlerkrebs, essentials, food, guide, hermit crab care, hermit crab food, hermit crab lifespan, hermit crab molting, hermit crab out of shell, hermit crab pet, hermit crab supplies, hermit crab tank, hermit crab without shell, hermit crabs, hermit crabs as pets, hermit crabs changing shells, hermit crabs for sale, hermit crabs near me, how big do hermit crabs get, how do hermit crabs mate, how long do hermit crabs live, how to care for hermit crabs, how to take care of hermit crabs, kelomang, kepiting pertapa, molting, purple pincher hermit crabs, Pūs̄ec̄hwn, shells, solage, strawberry hermit crabs, temperature, water, what do hermit crabs eat, where do hermit crabs live, yadokari, ปูเสฉวน, ヤドカリ, 寄居蟹, 소라게
Previous Post: FAQ Why can’t I just use tap water?
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