HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Get a heat mat instead of the lamp. Mats go on the back of the tank above the level of the sub. They have far less impact on the humidity than heat lamps. Also putting bigger pools with airstones attached to a small pump will help raise humidity


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Hi there, you need to get you humidity up to 80% and the temperature a constant 80F. Conditions lower that this will stress your crabs. The crab that is digging down constantly is seeking warmer more humid conditions


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MarsBars wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:54 pm

Thank you. Do you have more recommendations for my enclosure?

Bit hard to make recommendations when we can't see your enclosure. If you could post a photo that would help us assist you more.

Do you have a temperature and humidity gauge? If not you should get one. They are not too expensive and give you a good idea of your conditions


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Sounds basically good. But the blanket will be absorbing lots of the humidity. Plastic wrap under the blanket would be good. Shouldn’t need to mist each day if conditions are right. Corflute or Perspex can also be used as lids.


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Live plants don't do well in crab tanks. Crabs dig them up or eat them and many don't like the humid salty conditions. Fake plants are certainly better.

Can you tip the tank up on its back and have the doors at the top of the tank thus being able to make deep sub?

How deep is your sand? Can the crabs dig down and be totally covered? Have you got a sealed tank with heat and humidity? Crabs need 80F and 80% humidity. They also need pools of fresh and marine grade salt water deep enough to fully submerge


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In future do this the instant you see a naked crab.


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MarsBars wrote:Even if my crabs are not moving?

Seeing they have been without shells for ages they may not still be alive. But give it a try. Each one on its own.


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Crabs without shells are likely to die. You need to put the crab and a couple of shells the right size into a small container that is not see through. Rinse the shells first to get any sand or stuff out of them. Put the container with crab and shells into the tat and cover with a damp face washer. L...

Day 5 (of 14or so for Aussies) and they are all still alive. Nitrite/Nitrates are both quite high when testing but Ammonia is zero. They don't seem to be bothered by the high readings. No deaths that I've noticed so far. Mega tonight or tomorrow I am expecting.

Hi Folks, there are currently 8 people that I am aware of with zoea/mega or baby crabs on land in Australia at the moment. I am the latest of them with a spawn on 2nd January. Roughly 320 zoea. They are now in my custom built kriesel and have had their first moult/shed so are at Zoea II stage. Other...

Looks good but how big is it? The photos seem to make it look fairly small. Water will still foul quickly if it is only a small amount as the filter won't be able to cope with the load.

Monster had a female in his grasp for hours on 16th November 2022. I have marked the day in my calendar and am preparing my kriesel for action in about a month. I am not accepting any out of area deployments with work until after January (if I can avoid it) I work with the State Emergency Service an...