In 2009 we introduced isopods to our crabitats.

In: Crabitat
Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The list of critters that can safely exist with hermit crabs is fairly short. Yes Isopods** – beneficial tank cleaners Springtails – beneficial tank cleaners Food/soil mites – harmless   No Fiddler Crabs/Halloween Crabs – aggressive diggers and are likely to eat molting hermit crabs. Earth worms, beetles, centipedes, crickets, praying mantis, roaches: May stress each other, over populate, disrupt/harm/ kill/ eat molters. Crabs may harm /kill them. May carry/spread disease/parasites, especially with over population. Centipedes – venomous Millipedes – poisonous Snails – Hermit crabs can kill snails Frogs/Lizards – could harm each other, different habitat needs Fish – inappropriate water for a fish   **Read More →

In: Biology
Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In hermit crabs, the fourth and particularly the fifth pereopods are reduced, usually remaining within the confines of the gastropod shell and hence are not used for walking. These appendages do however becoming important when the hermit crab attempts to right itself, providing anchorage within the shell. Further, the fifth pereopod has become specialised as a gill cleaning appendage, often resting within the gill chamber (Bauer 1981). On the abdomen only the left pleopods are retained (Poore 2004).[1] Hermit crabs used specialized setae on the third maixillipedes and fifth pereiopods for most grooming but used the unmodified first, second, and third pereiopods as well. MostRead More →

In: FAQ
Tagged: , ,

CrabbyMum asked: Get the odor out of shells? I know to boil newly purchased shells, but I want to reuse some of the shells that are smelly from a crab dying in it. So far, we’ve lost one of the Littles (PP = Faith) and I think another is not going to make it. I have her in iso and will wait til we are sure before dealing with it’s shell tho. But I tried soaking the ones that Violet and Faith were in because the odor was so strong in them yet and then boiled them. I remember reading how Vinegar can damage themRead More →

In: Caresheets
Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

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 →