HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi! I'm new to this site and new to crab owning, I've recentelly gotten 3 purple pinchers ( 2 medium I presume, 1 large ) as soon I placed them in the tank, after some walking around, one of them quickly burrowed and the other 2 followed when I was asleep- When I woke up I was presented with some knocked over decor I placed in my 20 gallon tank. I've already watched plenty of proper care videos and know whenever they burrow, it's typically either stress or molting, which can take weeks or moments, but I highly doubt it is molting and more so the former, so this is my question-

How long does it take for crabs to ''de-stress?''

Xenpurgisnachtt wrote:Hi! I'm new to this site and new to crab owning, I've recentelly gotten 3 purple pinchers ( 2 medium I presume, 1 large ) as soon I placed them in the tank, after some walking around, one of them quickly burrowed and the other 2 followed when I was asleep- When I woke up I was presented with some knocked over decor I placed in my 20 gallon tank. I've already watched plenty of proper care videos and know whenever they burrow, it's typically either stress or molting, which can take weeks or moments, but I highly doubt it is molting and more so the former, so this is my question-

How long does it take for crabs to ''de-stress?''

There's really no telling. It's probably different for each one. And if they have put off molting due to previous conditions, it's possible 1 or more are molting. As you know, don't dig. Just keep up their care. Food, water, heat/humidity.

Hi happy crabbing. I know how you feel, I’ve recently have just stumbled into hermit crab care. I have 4 and and when I first got two they did the exact same behavior as you described and stayed down for about a week. My other two didn’t do the whole destress thing and just hang out and chill. They are amazing animals and have their own little personalities as you’ll find out. They’ll come back up when they’re ready.


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Quite possible, with the temporary cage I had until I gotten my proper tank, one of the smaller ones ( the female I believe who when tried to be handled was quite agitated, on the borders of the cage it kept making long streaks of pushed up dirt. )

First off, welcome.


Secondly, the duration really depends on the crab. For me personally, its around a couple of weeks to a month before they come back up. Some have stayed under longer, others stayed under for less than a couple days.

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Update, First one came out ( the big one ) after roughly 10+ish hours? Went straight to the food bowl.

Xenpurgisnachtt wrote:Update, First one came out ( the big one ) after roughly 10+ish hours? Went straight to the food bowl.

Congrats, probably wants a snack - and then go back under, knowing the things.

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Xenpurgisnachtt wrote:Update, First one came out ( the big one ) after roughly 10+ish hours? Went straight to the food bowl.

A dine and dig!! 2 of mine do that nightly they’ll dig in for most of the afternoon then as soon as the tank lights go off they come out and chow down. I can hear the tapping on the glass. Keeping on doing what you are sounds like a good start!


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I just wanted to say HI! Welcome to the HCA!

Best advice ever - be patient - and whatever you do, don't dig.