HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Mold is inevitable with the heat and humidity in our tanks. It isn't going to harm your crabs, you just remove it when you see it, if it is on the surface of the substrate. If your wood items are molding, soaking/ boiling them in salt water can slow it down. Humidity needs to be high so that crabs c...

Your little guy could very well be hiding somewhere. There were multiple times in the past week that I checked and couldn't see either one or both of my newbies. But last night, I saw them both at the food dish!

I just adopted two tiny crabs, and put them in with my jumbo after giving everyone a quick fresh water dip. Almost the exact same thing happened - the big guy and one tiny one were in a hide together, I couldn't see what they were doing, so I lifted it up. And Sonny (jumbo) was on top of the newbie ...

Thank you so much for explaining the why. That really helps. I only.opened one of ten bags. So I can return the 9. Luckily I didn't realize how much volume a brick of Eco earth turned into once it was soaked, so I have plenty. I'd read that to deter hermit crabs from dying from drastic environmenta...

There is a care sheet written by AussieJJ that tells you everything you need to know about live plants for a crabitat!

Digital hygrometer/ thermometer combos are more accurate than analog. Many of us use AcuRite ones, which are around ten dollars even in Canada LOL. You don't have to spend a lot on anything fancy. All meats are safe. If you haven't checked out the 'nutrition' care sheet yet, it's got all the info yo...

Currently my substrate is 1.5 inches deep on the end of the tank I poured it into. The area I left alone is only 1 inch deep. I know I need to add more, but is it safe to add more with Shelli molting? (If so, I'll pour some of my substrate mix into a baking pan and heat it in the oven for a few minu...

How deep is your substrate now? It should be 2-3 times as deep as your largest crab. Is it moistened with dechlorinated water so that it holds it's shape (ie- sand castle consistency)? What are your temp and humidity reading? If you have shells that are painted, you should take them out of your tank...

I am sorry to hear that. It's hard with crabs, because we can't do any diagnostics like blood work or CT scans. Unfortunately sometimes things go catastrophically wrong and we just don't have any answers as to why. Your tank conditions sound really good, I really don't think it was anything you did ...

Right on! Keep us posted as to your progress! And welcome to the site!

They were recently bought and I was in the middle of the Post Purchase stress method when both stopped moving one buried and one flopped on the floor both separated because I witnessed a fight. The substrate is 2 in deep and it’s play sand and coco fiber Curly - There is no method that has been show...

Crabs are susceptible to PPS until after at least their first molt in good conditions. Like Wode said, he could have opted for the shell shop because it would take less energy than digging down into the sub. Isolating him in the container he is in now with holes in the lid is perfect! No need to put...

What did you feed him for calcium? How much did he eat?
You will want to wait until he is moving around normally.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? 7-8 inches of ecoearth/playsand. 2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? I have 2 hygrometers set at roughly each th...

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? eco earth & some play sand its uneven so 4 inches then goes up to 6 2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? yes arou...