In: FAQ, Food and Nutrition
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This is a compilation of forum posts from our old site. To date we have not confirmed whether diseases fish may have can be passed onto hermit crabs. Sat Mar 05, 2005 Ladycrab wrote: Bought some gold fish for the hermies. Froze them last night just need to know if they need to be prepared any special way before serving them??? Julia_Crab wrote: There’s a bit of controversy afoot about the goldfish method right now. Freezing is a great way to kill any bacteria that might have affected the crabs, if any, though. I’m still not convinced that crabs can be affected by bacteria inRead More →

In: FAQ
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This is a compilation of forum posts from our old site. Troppo Dec 13, 2006 Today I read an interesting article in a Queensland newspaper that crabbers(particularly Australian crabbers) who feed their crabs prawns, may like to read. Below is an excerpt. Prawns posing disease threat. The increased volume and decreased price of imported green prawns has further escalated the risk of spreading the diseases, white spot syndrome and taura syndrome to the state’s prawn stocks. The Department of Fisheries and Primary Industries has initiated it’s own testing and sampling program as a measure to protect prawn stocks with traces of both the diseases beingRead More →

In: FAQ
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Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell Sometimes it takes a while to bond with your crab. they might not feed from your hand from the first time you try but if you persevere and are patient, it will happen. Gently hold the back of their shell with thumb and forefinger, and hold a piece of fruit (fresh or dried), nut (especially almond) bread, popcorn or cracker near the crab’s cheliped, or grasping claw, perhaps even brushing the food against it until your crab starts to become interested in the food and and they will responsively clutch at it and then want to taste it. You shouldRead More →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: Caresheets, Crabitat
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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 →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: FAQ
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Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell-Updated by Stacy Griffith Common Name/Scientific Name Dust Mites-House Dust Mite Dermatophagoides sp. Grain Mites-Grain Mite Acarus siro L House Mouse Mite-Liponyssoides sanuineus (Hirst) Follicle Mite-Demodex folliculorum (Simon) Itch or Scabies Mite-Sarcoptes scabiei hominis (Hering) Mold Mite-Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) Dust Mites – House Dust Mite Dermatophagoides sp. “Dust mites are microscopic, small enough to live inside the weave and fibers of your clothing, bedding carpet and such. They don’t actually bite they are waaay to small .. they actually live on the skins flakes we shed. When people have problems with dust mites it is because they are actually allergic toRead More →

In: Caresheets
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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 →

In: Biology, Food and Nutrition
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Land Hermit Crabs are arthropods. Arthropods have a stiff cuticle made largely of chitin and proteins, forming an exoskeleton that may or may not be further stiffened with calcium carbonate. They have segmented bodies and show various patterns of segment fusion (tagmosis) to form integrated units (heads, abdomens, and so on). The phylum takes its name from its distinctive jointed appendages, which may be modified in a number of ways to form antennae, mouth parts, and reproductive organs. Land Hermit Crabs in the wild eat a lot of protein in the form of dead fish, prawns, seaweed, cuttlefish as well as other forms of proteinRead More →

In: Caresheets
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The commonly used and recommended substrate is 5 parts play sand to 1 part coco fiber. Hermit crabs require deep, moist sand to burrow and molt properly. For more information on setting up your hermit crab substrate check out this article: The other sands or stones listed here are safe for using in your crabitat in select areas but not as the primary substrate. 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 sandRead More →

In: FAQ
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Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell, edited and updated by Stacy Griffith Thu, Oct. 12th, 2006, 10:40 pm  Keeping and breeding land hermit crabs Foreword: Hello. My name is Vanessa Pike-Russell. Stu Wools-Cobb visited my website on land hermit crab care and emailed me after reading my caresheet on gender and reproduction. At the time it had been unheard of for land hermit crabs to have successfully reproduced in captivity and the resulting eggs raised to juvenile (air-breathing) stage of development.  A few emails, phone calls later, and Stu sent me a copy of his booklet that was created in part for his local aquarist society.Read More →

In: FAQ
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Source: http://www.prestigepetproducts.com/WhatIsIt.htm Alfalfa meal: is the aerial portion of the alfalfa plant, reasonably free of other crop plants, weeds and mold, which has been finely ground and dried by thermal means under controlled conditions other than sun curing. Alfalfa is an excellent source of phytochemicals and phytoestrogens and their antioxidant effect stimulates the immune system. Amaranth: is a seed plant which is a good alternative source of carbohydrate energy. Amaranth is a valuable carbohydrate ingredient with a unique flavor that compliments the flavor of barley, oats and rye. It is also high in linoleic acids, which are good for skin and coat. Chicken byproducts: consistRead More →

In: Caresheets
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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 shaved1 Tbsp. myrrh powder1 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, then strain herbs outRead More →

In: Caresheets, FAQ
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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 →