In: Ethics & Conservation

Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Hermit Crab on Vacation Every summer, thousands of hermit crabs are sold as cheap vacation souvenirs at beach shops, boardwalk stands, and tourist traps. Most of them will be dead within a year. Not because hermit crabs are fragile.Because the people buying them were never given the truth. Hermit crabs are not low-maintenance pets. They are wild animals with complex environmental needs, specialized diets, and life spans that can exceed 40 years in captivity when properly cared for. That tiny painted-shell crab in a beach shop is not a temporary souvenir.It is a long-term commitment. Most people never get theRead More →

In: Ethics & Conservation

Seashells are more than beach souvenirs—they are critical habitat for coastal wildlife. Wild hermit crabs depend on empty shells for survival, using them as portable shelter to protect their soft abdomens from injury, dehydration, and predators. But hermit crabs are not the only animals that rely on shells. Empty shells also provide refuge for small fish, invertebrates, and microorganisms, making them an important part of healthy coastal ecosystems. As shells break down, they return calcium carbonate and other minerals to the shoreline, helping support beach ecology and maintain the natural balance of coastal environments. Shells also help stabilize beach systems by contributing to sediment structureRead More →

In: Shells & Molting

What Is Molting? Molting (ecdysis) is the biological process by which a crustacean sheds its exoskeleton in order to grow. Land hermit crabs, like all arthropods, do not grow continuously. Their rigid outer shell must be replaced periodically with a larger one. Molting is not a single event. It is a hormonally regulated, multi-stage physiological cycle involving the nervous system, endocrine system, epidermis, and internal tissues. Understanding molting properly requires understanding the internal control system that drives it. The Hormonal Control of Molting Molting is regulated by a balance between inhibitory and stimulatory hormones. The key components are: The X-organ–sinus gland complex in the eyestalk produces Molt-Inhibiting Hormone (MIH), which suppresses molting during the intermolt phase. TheRead More →

In: Ethics & Conservation

Outdated Advice Still Hurting Hermit Crabs Not all hermit crab care advice ages well. Some of the most common care recommendations still repeated today are not just outdated—they are actively harmful. Many of these myths came from older care sheets, pet store handouts, and outdated beginner guides that were written long before captive hermit crab care was grounded in species-specific research, long-term observation, or modern husbandry standards. Some of this advice is still circulating because it was repeated often enough to become “normal.” That does not make it correct. These are some of the most persistent hermit crab care myths still causing preventable stress, injury,Read More →

In: Behavior & Health

Practical Prevention, Safer Deterrents, and What to Avoid Most bug problems in a hermit crab tank are easier to prevent than they are to eliminate. The goal is not to create a sterile enclosure. Hermit crab tanks are warm, humid, organic environments, and that naturally makes them attractive to insects and other small hitchhikers. The goal is to reduce what attracts pests, limit how they get in, and make the area around the tank less inviting in the first place. Good prevention is about access, moisture, food, and routine—not chasing every bug after it appears. Start With Prevention, Not Panic Most recurring pest issues beginRead More →

In: CSJ News

I am thrilled to introduce the newly updated version of The Choya Log, your ultimate tool for keeping detailed, organized records of your hermit crab colony. Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time crab keeper, this refreshed version has been thoughtfully redesigned with your feedback in mind. Gone are the old calendar pages—because care doesn’t run on a clock, it runs on consistency. In their place, you’ll find expanded Crabistat™ tracking pages for monitoring temperature, humidity, and tank conditions in a way that helps you detect problems before they start. I’ve included individual crab profile pages so you can track behaviors, molts, shell preferences, andRead More →

In: Habitat Setup

Contributor Stacey May – My Hungry Hermit A heat mat provides gentle, consistent warmth for your hermit crab enclosure, but a thermostat is what keeps that heat controlled. Without one, a heat mat can run continuously at full output, which increases the risk of overheating the enclosure, drying the substrate, and putting unnecessary stress on the glass. Hermit crabs do best when enclosure temperatures stay stable—generally between 75–85°F (24–29°C)—and a thermostat helps maintain that range more safely. A thermostat does one job: it turns the heat mat on and off based on what the probe is measuring. That is where most of the confusion begins.Read More →

In: CSJ News

Since its launch in 2001 The Crab Street Journal has always been a free and open resource for land hermit crab keepers. I believe knowledge, science and research should be available to everyone. I don’t want to gatekeep what I know. I want to expand my knowledge by working with other like-minded hermit crab keepers. We (first Vanessa and then me) have always shared our knowledge and research so that others may learn and care for their pet hermit crabs better than ever before. Improving the lives of hermit crabs has always been our mission and it remains our mission today. There are no adsRead More →

In: CSJ News

It has come to my attention that original content from my work featured on CrabStreetJournal.org and in my book, *The Complete Guide to Land Hermit Crab Care*, has been plagiarized by a Facebook group administrator and a related website. This unauthorized use of my intellectual property is deeply concerning and undermines the years of dedicated research, writing, and community support I have invested in educating others about proper hermit crab care. I have always been committed to sharing accurate, science-based information to promote the well-being of land hermit crabs and to support a responsible and informed community. My work is a product of countless hoursRead More →

In: Ethics & Conservation

Importance of Seashells in Coastal Ecosystems Seashells play a vital role in maintaining the health and stability of coastal ecosystems. They provide critical shelter for marine life, including hermit crabs, small fish, and various microorganisms. Seashells also contribute to beach stability by helping to prevent erosion and maintaining the natural balance of sand movement. Additionally, broken-down shells add essential minerals like calcium carbonate to the environment, enriching the habitat for other marine organisms and promoting biodiversity. The Growing Trend of Collecting Seashells as Souvenirs or Decorations and Its Impact on Wildlife In recent years, seashell collecting has become increasingly popular, particularly among tourists who viewRead More →

In: Food and Nutrition

Many hermit crab owners love including their pets in holiday traditions — and it’s tempting to share a bit of your Thanksgiving feast! While some festive foods are perfectly safe (and even healthy) for hermit crabs, others can be dangerous. Here’s a list of holiday favorites you can offer your crabs — and what to avoid — so they can safely celebrate with you.Read More →

In: Ethics & Conservation

Purchasing a hermit crab from a pet store is not a rescue. ANY purchase of wild caught hermit crabs feed the pet trade cycle and sentences more hermit crabs to the same terrible fate. Why does a store that treats hermit crabs like this deserve your business? Your money is the one thing they do care about, so take it elsewhere. By ignoring the fact that a pet store neglects the animals they sell and giving them your hard earned dollars, you are feeding the cycle. Corporate offices at major chains ignore the demands for better care because it would affect their bottom line. SoRead More →

In: Behavior & Health, Hermit Crab Care

Natural sea sponges are NOT bad for hermit crabs. In fact, they are a great food source. “But your website says not use to use sponges!” Yes. It does. However, there is some need for clarification here. The more accurate statement would be: Do not use sponges in the manner suggested by the pet store or packaging. Most pet stores and pet supply stores sell sponges as a multipurpose product. First, as a means of drinking without drowning. That, in and of itself, is amusing considering most pet stores don’t provide enough water for a fly to drown in let alone a hermit crab. HermitRead More →

In: Breeding & Lifecycle

(Photo credit: Sherri Werdebaugh.) Calling all US AND INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS who want captive bred babies. I am working with an international wholesaler of captive-bred Caribbean reef fish (ORA) who is interested in carrying MY captive-bred babies. If you live in the US OR live overseas, and have been wishing you could get your hands on some of my babies, I need your help! If you have a local saltwater fish store, or a pet store that carries saltwater fish, would you please contact them and tell them you’ve heard that ORA is going to be carrying captive-bred babies and you want to get on theRead More →

In: Species & Anatomy

There seems to be some controversy and confusion regarding the need for UV-B lighting with hermit crabs. Due to the esoteric nature of our chosen pets, few studies are available to draw from which explicitly study hermit crabs. There is however a considerable volume of research regarding crustaceans, and more specifically decapod biology available to study.Read More →

In: Species & Anatomy

Those little ‘hairs’ you see all over the body and chelipeds of your hermit crab are not hairs at all. They are an extension of the exoskeleton and are called setae. A seta is an elongate projection with a more or less circular base and a continuous lumen; the lumen has a semicircular arrangement of sheath cells basally. [1] Revising the definition of the crustacean seta and setal classification systems based on examinations of the mouthpart setae of seven species of decapods A. GARM Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Volume 142, Issue 2, October 2004, Pages 233–252 What in the function of setae? NotRead More →

two boys looking into a hermit crab habitat

In: Ethics & Conservation

The Land Hermit Crab Owners Society recommends that hermit crabs only be removed from their habitat for an occasional visual inspection or photo. This is one of the most contested recommendations in our community. The LHCOS recommendation is based on what research has taught us thus far. We are still learning, research is still being conducted and we are following it closely. Land hermit crabs require humid air to breathe. When the relative humidity drops below 70% the gills begin to dry out. Over time the gills will become irreversibly damaged. How much damage they can sustain before death is not known. Land hermit crabsRead More →

In: CSJ News

Help us spread our message! Most hermit crabs are purchased as a beach vacation souvenir from a shop that does not provide any care information. Some of these new owners find their way to our community and get the help they need. All of them are shocked, many feel duped and angry that they were not informed of the true expense of keeping hermit crabs. Imagine when they discover that a hermit crab’s life span rivals humans. So how can we reach these folks before they make a purchase? An ad on the boardwalk! A fun but educational and informative ad to quickly drop someRead More →

In: CSJ News

 The Choya Log – A Journal for Keeping Hermit Crabs As a hermit crab owner of 15+ years I created the book I needed and I hope you will enjoy it too. Custom made pages for specifically for tracking your hermit crabs and crabitat. Over 200 pages of crabby goodness in full color. No pre filled dates allow you to start your planner any month of any year and still get a full 12 months of use. Use the monthly calendar pages to track details like daily tank temperature and humidity, who is digging or resurfaced. Week day pages allow you to document noteworthy behaviorsRead More →

In: Community & Events

I’d kept hermit crabs for roughly a year and a half prior to discovering the CSJ site, and – like many others – assumed I’d been properly caring for them, negating the need to further research their requirements…or anything about them, really. One doesn’t exactly discover troves of books dedicated to hermit crabs the way one discovers the same in regards to dogs, cats, birds, or any of the other, more typical household pets. Subsequently, one simply decides that not much must be known about them (or that what is known is too boring and/or limited to bear repeating in guide after guide), and soRead More →

In: CSJ News

Currently we use the blanket term PPS as a way of explaining why hermit crabs die so soon after purchase. PPS or Post Purchase Stress The use of the word stress has always bothered me as it implies a mental or emotional state of mind. Really the method is designed to reduce post purchase death due to physical stress on the hermit crab’s body due to lack of care prior to coming home with you. I also don’t like the term ‘destress’. Really it should be more like recuperate or recover. I would like to move away from using the term destress. It again impliesRead More →

In: Community & Events

The crab street journal is an evolving group that helps many through all the many ups and downs. It’s a place to cultivate knowledge and love for hermit crabs, which at one point was difficult for me to find. I love my crabs and wanted to offer them more, which is how I found the group. With their help, I was able to help my oldest crab, bubba, have the nicest tank I was ever able to provide him and his friends.Read More →

In: Community & Events

CSJ has seriously helped me help my crabbies thrive. They were given to me by a family member in a chicken wire type cage with a sponge and pellet food. I had no idea how to care for a hermit crab and so glad I was able to find The Crab Street Journal and get them a proper set up and a start to a better life! Thankfully I haven’t experienced an emergency yet but I know the first thing I will do is search the files in the group and contact an admin. Thank you for all you do!!Read More →

In: Community & Events

The Crab Street Journal is my go to for crabs care . Without them and Stacy there would be no market , site or LHCOS group . Our team is excellent because of the educational information on the CSJ and its many pages and groups . I can see every day the correct info going out to improve the lives of hermit crabs around the world . My life would be very lonely and sad without them .My favorite crab right now are the Baby Crabs also possible because of t CSJ.Read More →

In: Community & Events

I have not been in this group for very long. My crab was in a 2.5 gallon tank with about two inches of Ecoearth in the tank. I knew barely anything. Almost instantly when i joined I found out everything I did wrong. When i read the files  I realized they’re so organized and very easy to understand. This group is so nice and I don’t see any arguments, ever. Every time anyone has an issue, they get feedback back almost immediately. The people here are genuinely nice, and lots of groups will mislead you, but not this group. I just want to thank youRead More →

In: Habitat Setup

To successfully keep land hermit crabs as pets owners must provide a tropical environment that is both warm and humid. In order to maintain the proper heat and humidity gauges are required. The most popular product among hermit crab owners is the Acurite Temperature and Humidity Digital Monitor. This unit has proven to be reliable and a great value for the money. Most gauges don’t last long in the high humidity of a hermit crab tank but the Acurite out performs other more expensive gauges. Your Acurite Temperature and Humidity Monitor should be located inside of the tank but not touching the substrate or directlyRead More →

In: CSJ News

I’m honestly not even sure where to begin. Was Crab Con a success? Yes! Was it fun and amazing? Yes! Will we do it again? Yes! Most of my emotions leading up to the event were doubt, anxiety and excitement all mixed together. Today, I am proud, heartfull, thankful, amazed, impressed and inspired. More than once on Saturday I started to tear up, I was just so happy. For me, this event could not have happened without a lot of support from a lot of people. I am so very thankful for: My momma for being my helper, my product bagger and my pet sitter. MyRead More →

In: Hermit Crab Care

We all go on vacation  or have to be away from home for an extended period at some point. Your hermit crabs will need someone to check on them at least once during a seven day absence. Ideally someone can check on them every other day but we understand not everyone is able to arrange a regular check in. Be sure to write up an instruction sheet for your pet sitter. Or download a copy of this article and the checklist and print it out. Include a link to this website, our emergency form and even our Facebook group so that we can help themRead More →

In: Habitat Setup

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 →

CSJ/LHCOS Milo Logo

In: Community & Events

Hello, my name is Simon! I found out about this website about a year ago, and made my account last summer. I like the usage of helpful information posted through many of the helpful guides and informational links they have on their website! I have also enjoyed the fact that they open contests for anyone to enter their crabby pictures in for prizes given out to the winners of each contest. I recommend this website to newcomers that are looking to seek help with their crabitat and hermit crabs! 🙂Read More →

In: Behavior & Health

Written by Anne Grady Food mites, more properly called grain mites are something that can be found in any tank at any time. The first thing to understand is that they did not come from the crabs, having hermit crabs does not cause you to have food mites. Food mites come into your home through the everyday things you buy at the grocery store. Anything that contains grain can have food mites. Oatmeal, grits, breakfast cereal, noodles, flour and rice are a few examples. In general you won’t see them and they are harmless, but that box of corn meal or pancake mix that getsRead More →

In: Community & Events

I love the Crab Street Journal! I own nine hermit crabs and, when I have a question I go to this website. I love how the Crab Street Journal always says “No to painted shells”.Read More →

In: Shells & Molting

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: Hermit Crab Care

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 →

In: Species & Anatomy

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. References 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 →

In: Hermit Crab Care

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 much different. Our primary reason for using Prime is to remove Chlorine and Chloramines and heavy metals from the water and Prime does that well with no recurrence that requires retreatment. Ammonia build up is only an issue whenRead More →

In: General

You finally scored that awesome tank at a killer price but now how do you clean it?? If the tank is simply dirty but no actual build up on the glass, the cleaning process is pretty straight forward. A mild detergent can be used with hot water to wash away dirt and grime. Use a mild bleach solution 1:10 ratio to sanitize the tank in case of parasites or disease. Follow up with a thorough rinse with water and then white vinegar. Allow to air dry 24 hours. Dealing with stubborn build up on the glass is more challenging. Some stains may never come off.Read More →

In: Food and Nutrition

Ingredients: 1 portion dark red/black cherries1 portion blackberries1 portion blueberries1 portion red apple (Unwaxed only, she peel is the important part)1 portion red beets1/2 portion red raisins1/2 portion dried plums/prunes2 portions red beans (do not skip, or you won’t be able to grind into a powder) Blanch each item in a small pot of crab safe water, reserving and reusing the water for each item. Prunes and raisins get soaked in the warm water last until they are very soft. Blend all items, including the reserved soaking/blanching water (start with a little) until its a paste about as thick as pancake batter. You may feedRead More →

In: Species & Anatomy

Fig. 1. (A) Morphology of the branchiostegite and anterior appendages of Birgus latro, lateral view with legs omitted. (B) Lateral view of the branchial chamber of Birgus latro with the branchiostegite on the right-hand side reflected upwards to expose the inner surface of the branchiostegite. Note the distinction between the anterior hairlined portion of the branchiostegite and the posterior respiratory portion. The nephropore (antennal gland opening) faces posteriorly and opens directly into the branchial chamber. (Drawing made from a 500 g animal, approximately 20 cm in length excluding appendages, as shown.) Collapse Published in 1991Adaptations to a Terrestrial Existence by the Robber Crab Birgus Latro: VII.Read More →

In: Hermit Crab Care

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 →

In: General

Did you accidentally bring home a land hermit crab or a marine hermit crab? We often find people searching our site for care information on what are actually marine hermit crabs and not land hermit crabs. We are a group dedicated to the care of land hermit crabs and provide no care information on marine crabs. Their needs are drastically different from a marine hermit crab and we are not able to provide assistance beyond what is in this file. Please note: In most areas of the U.S. it is ILLEGAL to collect wild life without a proper permit.Shown here you can see they areRead More →