Hermit Crabs and Mold
2021-08-24
Mold in general is universally viewed as unsafe and to be avoided.Read More →
A Guide to Land Hermit Crab Pools
2019-02-11
Welcome to Hermit Crab Pool Boy Training 101! We hope the following information will cover hermit crab water pools from a-z. If we didn’t cover something here please feel free to comment or contact us. Let’s dive right in, the water is fine! Your tank should have two types of water bowls or pools: ocean water made from marine-grade salt and freshwater. Tap water contains beneficial minerals and metals so we discourage the use of distilled or otherwise purified water. Tap water must be treated with a product like Seachem Prime to make it safe for use. Prime also binds ammonia. In our testing, ammoniaRead More →
Airborne Irritants and Hermit Crabs
2018-01-19
Land hermit crabs breathe through a modified gill. It is important to protect the gills from strong fragrances, essential oils, candles, household cleaners, chemicals, smoke insecticides and other airborne irritants. Be mindful of what you spray or use near the crabitat even if your tank is fully sealed. Residual product may still be in the air when you open your tank. If you are forced to have your home sprayed for insects ensure your tank is fully sealed with saran wrap or something similar. Allow the house to air out at least 24 hours before unsealing your tank.Read More →
Humane euthanasia for hermit crabs
2018-01-16
There may come a time when you find it necessary to euthanize your hermit crab to end it’s suffering. I’m providing the information that I found to be reliable. Please ensure that you are not confusing a surface molt with death. https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_least_drastic_method_to_kill_decapod_crustaceans_for_subsequent_preservation http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-is-the-most-humane-way-to-kill-crustaceans-for-human-consumption_625.htmlRead More →
Updated method for treating water with Prime
2018-01-09
A member of HCO on FB (not affiliated with LHCOS/CSJ) raised an issue regarding the use of Prime. After doing some research of our own we are in agreement with their conclusion regarding Prime treated water and pre-mixing. Please note: As we do not have the necessary information to determine how land hermit crabs are affected by ammonia build up in the water and to what degree we err on the side of caution and treat our water as we would for fish. All information regarding Prime is based on the assumption it is being used in a stable fish tank. Our use is muchRead More →
Caring for hermit crabs with limb loss or other deformities
2017-07-14
This guide will help you care for a hermit crab that has been attacked, lost several limbs or is suffering from molt complications. General care instructions will be outlined and special exceptions for molting crabs will be included at the end of the guide. If this a newly purchased hermit crab that is dropping limbs you should check out our information on Post Purchase Death Syndrome. PPDS is a common cause of dropped limbs. Dropping multiple limbs indicates extreme stress. Not all hermit crabs can recover from this type of limb loss. Isolate The victim hermit crab needs to be isolated. Use a secure containerRead More →
Setting up a Proper Hermit Crab Habitat (crabitat)
2016-03-23
Let’s look at how to set up a proper hermit crab habitat, which we refer to as a crabitat. Basing your tank set up on what you saw at the pet store or mall cart where you may have purchased your hermit crabs is a recipe for disaster. Kritter Keepers and wire cages are death boxes and should never be used. Listed below are the primary components of a proper set up and we will discuss them in detail. If you are not willing to equip the tank properly you should return your hermit crabs or rehome them, they will not thrive without a properlyRead More →
Hermit Crab Surface Molt
2015-09-07
Hermit crabs typically go about their molting business below ground away from your prying eyes and nosey tank mates but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes you will find yourself with a surface molter on your hands. Surface molts can be very cool for you but additionally stressful for the crab. Let’s look at the best way to handle a surface molter. First do not touch or move the crab! (unless you feel you must to ensure it’s safety) Second find a way to securely isolate the crab. It is extremely important that your tank temperature and humidity are in the proper ranges at thisRead More →
Hermit Crab Care 101
2014-02-18
Hermit Crab Care 101 – a guide for properly caring for your pet so that it thrives in captivity.Read More →
Hermit Crab Emergency Help
2014-02-18
We are sorry that you are experiencing a hermit crab care emergency. Below are some links and information to our most commonly experienced emergency situations. Be aware that the site is not monitored and you may not receive an immediate response from someone if you post on the forums. It is in your hermit crab’s best interest that you read the articles linked below.. Aggressive hermit crab I purchased new hermit crabs: PPS (Post Purchase Stress) Calibrating Humidity/hydrometer Limb loss Mites or pests within crabitat Hypoaspis Mites are beneficial What is Molting? Is my Hermit crab dead or molting? Preventing overheating in the crabitat MyRead More →
PPDS (Post Purchase Death Syndrome) Minimizing the Impact
2013-02-21
Please note: We’ve updated our language and PPS is now called PPDS – Post Purchase Death Syndrome as this is a more accurate name. written by Sue Latell March 8, 2006 I have belonged to the on-line crabbing community for a little over 3 years now. From day one there was discussion about the number of deaths immediately occurring after purchase. It evolved into a named syndrome: PPDS. Many “unexplainable” deaths that occurred in the time-frame from newly acquired to first post molt death were labeled PPS. Time lines wavered (anywhere from one week-up to one year), and alarmingly glossed over (in my opinion) tooRead More →
Regulation of Crustacean Molting: A Multi-Hormonal System
2013-02-21
The molting cycle in crustacean is controlled by hormones. Below is a snippet from a study on crustacean molting that explains the role of hormones in the molting cycle. Land hermit crabs continue to molt their entire life unlike some other crustaceans. ERNEST S . CHANGM, ARILYN J. BRUCEA, ND SHERRY L. TAMONE Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, P.O. Box 247, Bodega Bay, California 94923 SYNOPSIS In order to increase in size, arthropods must first molt (shed) their confining exoskeleton. This molting process is under the immediate control of the steroid molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE). Read the full article More articles on molting: WhatRead More →
Post Purchase Death Reduction Method
2013-02-21
This is a (hopefully) more simplified revision of the original. I have also created a printable calendar for tracking. Introduction: The objective of this method is to reduce the impact of physical stress by keeping the hermit crab above ground eating well and exposed to light. Both are vital to the hermit crab’s ability to recover. This is a thirty day method. While this can be accomplished in three weeks, there is no reason to rush. If you are adding new (wild caught) hermit crabs to your existing colony it is important that you do not introduce sick or contagious animals to your healthy colony.Read More →
Comparative Example for PPDS Practices
2013-02-21
written by Sue Latel March 8, 2006 Little Billy has had 3 hermit crabs since his 12 birthday. He has a 20 gallon tank housing his 3 small PP crabs. One day when he is at the store picking up some ocean salt water for his crabs, he spots a tank containing 2 poor little Ruggies that have no water except for a damp sponge, huge pellets of food that he doubts they have even attempted to eat, and no ground cover to protect them from the 100 watt heat lamp that is shining directly on them from an open tank top. Billy has been aRead More →
Checklist for Regular Care and Maintenance of Your Hermit Crabs and the Crabitat
2012-09-27
Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell After your crabitat is set up you will have to maintain it and your crabs. Below you will find a list of what tasks should be done daily, weekly and monthly. Daily o Refill fresh water dish and the ocean water pond o Empty and clean the food dish (no chemicals) o Offer a different food each day o Check the relative humidity level is 70- 80% o Check that your temperature zones are 75F on the cool end and 85F on the warm end (or within this min/max safe range). Weekly o Clean the bowls and dishes (without chemicals) oRead More →
Identifying and Addressing Aggression in Hermit Crabs
2012-09-27
Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell Behaviour in the Wild Land hermit crabs are territorial animals, and as such they will often act aggressively towards one another to establish a ‘pecking’ order among their colony. Sometimes this can be in the form of ‘feeler’ or antennae fights, others in violent pushing or flicking fellow tank mates out of the way. Usually this is not serious enough to warrant intervention. However, some hermit crabs will act in a manner that is harmful to other hermit crabs, often trying to pull their hermie buddy out of a desired shell, or attacking eyes, antennae, claws, legs or abdomen. IfRead More →
Bathing your Land hermit Crab
2012-09-27
Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell It is important that your land hermit crabs are able to bathe themselves. Bathing allows your hermit crab to re-hydrate their gills, replenish shell water and adjust the water salinity as well as flush out feces and wash off the sticky juices and food stuffs which are present when you offer fresh fruit, seafood and raw foods. Hermit Crabs urinate through their antennae, so any water spills during handling is shell water. Hermit Crabs have an anus located on the end of their abdomen, and have been observed to flick any wastes (droppings) out of their shells. These feces are oftenRead More →
Methods for heating your crabitat
2012-09-25
Compilation of information by Vanessa Pike-Russell and Stacy Griffith To keep your hermit crabs healthy and happy their environment should be kept in optimum temperature and humidity levels. If you are not able to keep the environment stable then your crabs will weaken and become stressed which will lead to death. Hermit crabs are ectothermic creatures and must have a warmish and cooler side to their substrate. If your temperature falls below 75F on a frequent basis you need a reliable and safe method for heating your crabitat. Whatever type of under tank heater or other heating method you use, it is STRONGLY recommended thatRead More →
A home for your Hermit Crab
2012-09-25
Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell-Updated by Stacy Griffith NOTE: The tank or habitat of land hermit crabs is often referred to as a Crabarium, Crabitat or Crabitank. This is a pet name for a hermit crab’s home. The best housing is a glass tank with securely fitting lid. A glass tank with lid helps keep the needed humidity and temperature levels stable. You should allow a small gap between the tank sides and the lid if condensation begins to appear on the sides of your tank.Disadvantages:Glass tanks, unless second hand, are somewhat expensive but worth the extra expense. If you have a lid that doesn’tRead More →
Understanding Humidity in the Crabitat
2012-09-25
Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell-Updated by Stacy Griffith What is Humidity? Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. It can be expressed in several ways. “Specific humidity” is the mass of water vapor per unit mass of combined dry air and water vapor, generally expressed in grams per kilogram. The specific humidity of an air parcel does not change with temperature. “Absolute humidity” is the density of water vapor, expressed as grams per cubic meter of air. “Relative humidity” is the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor to the equilibrium vapor pressure of water at a givenRead More →
Why is my Hermit Crab so inactive?
2012-09-25
Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell-Updated by Stacy Griffith There are a few reasons your hermit crab may be less active than you expected. Natural instincts Incorrect temperature and/or humdity Crabitat does not provide an interesting, enriched habitat Pre- molt Impending death Land Hermit crabs are primarily, but not exclusively, nocturnal creatures. That means that in the wild they sleep during the day and are active at night. This allows them to escape the drying heat of the sun as well as predators. They hide away in the leafy foliage or cool areas and are active once the sun has set and the moon is out,Read More →
Why is an ocean pond needed?
2012-09-25
Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell-Updated by Stacy Griffith All hermit crabs require some access to salt in their diet, no matter what species. The habitat of land hermit crab species differs from location to location, and they have adapted to the environment they live in. Approximately 3.5%, or 35 parts per thousand solution is recommended for the “Ocean Water” pool within your tank. Typically mixing according to package directions is sufficient. If you are using distilled or spring water it may have varying amounts of salt already within the water, so take that into consideration.. It is important to note which type of water youRead More →
Why do land hermit crabs drop limbs?
2012-09-25
Lost Limbs What is Autotomy? Comes from the latin words autos for “self” and tomos for “cut Autotomy can be described as self-cutting, Websters dictionary describes autotomy as a “reflex separation of a part (as an appendage) from the body: division of the body into two or more pieces.” Hermit Crabs can autotomize (drop) and regenerate (regrow) their limbs from juvenile to adult stages. The break occurs along a fracture plane located at the appendage’s base. Why do land hermit crabs drop limbs? The rate at which the limbs regenerate depends upon the molt cycle (Morgan, 1900; Zeleny, 1908; Bliss, 1960; Skinner 1962, 1985). DuringRead More →
HELP! My Hermit Crab has left its shell! What do I do?
2012-09-25
A hermit crabs shell serves two purposes: first protection of the soft abdomen and second it prevents dessication (drying out). A hermit crab that has left the protection and life-sustaining seashell home is telling you it’s in distress. Physically stressed from poor handling or conditions during capture, transport and/or poor pet store conditions Shell fight-another hermit crab has taken its shell-no suitable shell remains Changing shells and let go of the old one, which was shell-napped by another crab-no suitable shell remains Foreign body/irritant in the shell (sand, pest, fungus NOTE: crabs have been known to hide food in their shell) Temperature is tooRead More →
Substrates for Hermit Crabs
2012-09-25
The commonly used and recommended substrate is 5 parts play sand to 1 part coco fiber. The other sands or stones listed here are safe for using in your crabitat in select areas but not as the primary substrate. Hermit crabs require deep, moist sand to burrow and molt properly. Sand Collecting sand from the beach is not advised. In most areas it is illegal to take sand from the beach. In many areas of the world the beach sand is heavily contaminated from polluted waters. Most owners use play sand found at their local hardware store. Please take note of the quality when purchasingRead More →
Medicinal Bath for treating bacterial infections, shell rot and black spots.
2012-09-25
This recipe can be modified, made stronger for use with very sick crabs, although this strength is fine for more minor cases! General wash for injured crabs: 1 Tbsp. Marshmallow root shaved 1 Tbsp. myrrh powder 1 Tbsp. calendula (marigold) 1 Tbsp. whole chamomile flowers (not powdered) First, you’ll need to make a decoction. Take one quart of water, and heat it over the stove to near boiling. Add one tablespoon marshmallow root, and one tablespoon myrrh. Cover, and simmer for thirty minutes. Remove from heat. Add one tablespoon calendula flowers (marigold) and one tablespoon whole chamomile flowers. Cover immediately again. Let sit until cool,Read More →
Pre Molt Symptoms
2012-09-25
Observed Premolt Symptoms by Marie (aka ladybug15057) At times, crabbers become concerned due to certain actions their hermit crabs are beginning to display. Often, they are concerned that the hermit crab is ill, or has another form of complication happening that needs attention. Where, as on occasions, the symptoms they are observing may be due to a stressful situation, whether it be from their past or current living conditions, there are many times that the hermit crab is displaying pre molt symptoms. If one knows that he/she has provided the hermit crab with the essentials it needs to thrive (proper humidity level, proper temperature, properRead More →
