Coenobita cavipes Surface Molt

In: Caresheets, FAQ
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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 →

In: Crabitat, FAQ
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Question: Craboza asked: I want them to eat the bad things. Will they eat aphids and other bad bugs in there? Or anything that is not the crabs? I want them to keep all possible parasites out. If I can use ladybugs, how many can I put in? Where do I get them? Thank you.   Answer: Bugboy (aka King Arthur-Pod) answered: Don’t…..lady bugs are toxic, that’s the reason for the orange and black coloring. If one should die and the crabs eat it, could be harmful. Put one on the tip of your tongue, you’ll no how nasty they really are(OK so I’m anRead More →

In: Crabitat, FAQ
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This article is no longer being updated. Please use the new, comprehensive hermit crab food list! Hermit crabs love moss! Not only is it a great way to create and maintain humidity but your crabs will burrow in it and even eat it. They key is to select safe moss. This page should give you a starting pointing for determining which types of moss are safe for your hermit crabs. There are over 1200 types of moss so it would be impossible to address all of them. Listed below are the most commonly encountered types. In all instances you are looking for 100% natural, chemicalRead More →

Coenobita compressus enjoying fish, peanut butter and veggies - Photo by Amber Miner

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Hermit Crab Care 101 – a guide for properly caring for your pet so that it thrives in captivity.Read More →

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All water that comes in contact with your hermit crab must be dechlorinated. Most cities add chlorine to their water supply. Some add chlorine and chloramines to the water. Unless you have contacted your water department and determined if they use both, you should use a treatment to remove both. In the past, it was enough to let water sit out for 24 hours so the chlorine could evaporate out. That no longer is sufficient because chloramines will never evaporate out nor ammonia. A bottle of water treatment will last for years. Stresscoat should NOT be added to your crabs water. Chlorine and chloramines causeRead More →

C. compressus surface molt. Top most leg is a newly regenerated limb.

In: Biology, Caresheets, FAQ
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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 →

In: FAQ, Food and Nutrition, General
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written by Jennifer Nielsen The existence of an ocean water dish is a source of great controversy in the world of hermit crab owners. Why the importance of this type of water is rarely debated, it seems that the products used in the creation of Ocean Water are the source of much debate. Just as all hermit crab owners know not to use table salt for their crabs, there are two types of salt available for aquarium use. Fresh Saltwater as well as Ocean Water Salt, which although made of the same components have vastly different role within the world of fish keeping. A saltwaterRead More →

In: FAQ, Food and Nutrition
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Hermit crab enthusiast Jennifer Nielsen compares several brands of sea salt mix in this article. Written by Jennifer Nielsen (aka redjln) While many hermit crab owners realize the importance of providing Ocean Water to their pets, there is a question over which type and which specific product is the best. To answer this, I got Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals enriched blend by Aquarium Systems, Doc Wellfish’s Aquarium Salt, and Aquarium Salt by Jungle. I have gotten a container of Distilled Water to test the products in. Now, I will disclaim right now that I do not have access to a laboratory of equipment. AllRead More →

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Special credit thanks to Wendy at Hermit Crabs R Us for compiling and sharing this list!! After mixing all ocean/sea mixes leave sit for at least 12-24 hours prior to offering to ensure that all the crystals have dissolved. Crystal Sea Marine mix Bioassy Formula The site from which I purchased this mix indicates 1/4 lb or 1/3 cup will yield 1 gallon. I found it to only be 1.016 SG when mixed this way. I tested it using 2 different hydrometers-one that was also purchased at the same site as the salt mix. I mixed it using 1/2 cup and got 1.021. (I addRead More →

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Written by Travis Wease Tips for saving money and having a safe crabitat: First off there are certain things that you can’t really skimp on when it comes to setting up a safe and fun crabitat. Things like a heat source whether it be lights or a UTH, substrate has a cost, although some are cheaper, humidity gauges, temperature gauges, and the tank itself has a cost, but here are some tips to save money and use items that you may already have laying around the house. 1.Look on Craigslist or Freecycle for tanks. Sometimes you can find them at Goodwill or other re-use storesRead More →