Why does size matter? When determining how much space is needed per hermit crab we need to know how large the crabs are and how large they will grow. Small crabs can be happy in a smaller habitat while jumbo crabs need a minimum of 15 gallons per crab. More than 10G/crab is always better! A hermit crab must live many decades to reach jumbo size. Updated for 2025 for increased accuracy! This updated PDF includes updated charts and printing instructions. Use a piece of string our something similar to measure the second walking leg in centimetres. Compare to the chart to determine the size.Read More →

In: Caresheets, FAQ

Land Hermit Crab Shell Guide A hermit crab’s shell is his life sustaining home and his protection from predators and desiccation. Hermit crabs take up residence in discarded gastropod shells and can not make their own shell. “For the vast majority of crustaceans which we call hermit crabs, the behavior patterns by which individuals utilize empty gastropod shells as shelter are critical to the crab’s existence. Orientation to shells, selection of a shell to enter, entry of a shell, and subsequent living the shell are all behaviors which directly affect the Darwinian fitness of an individual crab. Failure to find or efficiently enter a shellRead More →

In: Crabitat

COMMON AQUARIUM SIZES & WEIGHTS 5 GALLON L x W x H 16″ x 8″ x 10″ Weight (empty) 7 lbs Weight (water-filled) 62 lbs 10 GALLON LEADER L x W x H 20″ x 10″ x 12″ Weight (empty) 11 lbs Weight (water-filled) 111 lbs 10 GALLON LONG L x W x H 24″ x 8″ x 12″ Weight (empty) 16 lbs Weight (water-filled) 116 lbs 10 GALLON HEXAGON L x W x H 14″ x 12″ x 18″ Weight (empty) 12 lbs Weight (water-filled) 110 lbs 15 GALLON L x W x H 24″ x 12″ x 12″ Weight (empty) 21 lbs WeightRead More →

In: Crabitat, FAQ

What’s a micro hermit crab? What’s a jumbo hermit crab? Size can be subjective and hard to define but we are trying anyway!  Our friends in Indonesia have developed two more realistic size charts based on leg length or leg span. Indonesia is home to many of different species including the large C. brevimanus. With much more data to work with the group created these new sizing charts which are more accurate. (Mary Akers, Hermit House raised this adorable, nearly microscopic, captive bred baby hermit crab.) Why does size matter? When determining how much space is needed per hermit crab we need to know howRead More →