HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Yes, I actually take the shells out quite often, rinse them, and put them back in different areas. It does seem to generate interest, just never enough for SM to change. They are out of their original painted shells. When the crabs came to us, they only came with extra painted shells, so that's what...

Thanks. I think Roger is doing okay. Doesn't look pale at all--fairly vibrant orangey-red compared to normal. He's out and about today, moving around, checking out new shells.Superman still won't change out of his manky old ladybug shell. On the upside there is very little paint left on it (I pick u...

Hey all, I've posted before. I just have a quick question. I'm pretty sure my one crab (Superman) dug up my other crab (Roger). SM has been digging a lot since he came up. I think he just kind of stumbled on Roger. Roger has been down for about 6-7 weeks. Their past molts were all about 8 weeks. SM ...

I did the deep clean today. The boys are both back in the tank, happy as hermit crabs can be. The change of scenery to their small tank did them good as they ate all the popcorn I put in while they were waiting--then chowed down on the chicken and roasted beet I put in their clean tank for supper, a...

OMG, seriously? You are so right, these people don't know a darn thing. I gave up on the pet stores after the sales person told me my two small heaters were more than adequate for my 20 gal tank--but before I found this forum. So frustrated. Fortunately tomorrow is cleaning day. I will take the heat...

Thanks for the speedy replies. Yes, the two smaller UTHs are mounted on the bottom of the tank. In my 10 gallon they were on either side. And though the thermostat said the temp was good, I found that they constantly stayed huddled against them. I went to the pet store and was told--no, no put them ...

Another question....I have a 20 gallon reptile tank. For heating I have an 5"X7" and a 4"X6" under tank heaters which the person at the pet shop assured me would be more than adequate. They are not. I added a 11"x17" under tank heater on the back of the tank and covered it with a homemade insulator ...

Thanks, FFXXII. I think I will make the depth of the substrate higher everywhere but underneath their pools/waterfall. I like the waterfall for humidity. Even with the 'water park' area, they still have substantially more surface area to molt under than they did in the 10 gal. For two little crabs I...

Thanks for the speedy replies. Alas, I can't make the crabitat all one depth as the waterfall is too tall to stand on 5-1/2" of substrate. Plus...They seem to want to bury themselves beneath it which is not safe--as digging the substrate away will make it topple--killing poor crabbie. Anyway, thanks...

Soo..it looks like the boys are getting ready to molt again--lots of excavating going on, eating a bit more, checking out shells--plus they haven't gone down under for a few months. However, I am just about ready to change the substrate as I noticed a 'critter'(a teensy weensy beetle type critter) w...

I just looked up Murex shells and was surprised that I do have a couple I can put back into the tank. The 'boys' never seemed to like them much, to be honest. I had them in before and though they tried them on, they didn't seem to be impressed with them. They are more cumbersome than the turbo shell...

DH and I were driving to the city when I saw your post! I laughed out loud. These crabs are so lucky I haven't killed them yet! Of course after everything they've been through, they could probably live through the apocalypse. To tell the truth, I am glad to be able to dispose of the sponges. They ar...

I have seven shells in there for them to choose from. Frustratingly, the crabs are at a size where pet store shells are too small. Hunting down new ones is a challenge. I did go to the craft store where I bought two bags of assorted shells (all they had) which only yielded 4 acceptable shells, but b...

Thanks again for the suggestions. I put in some nice organic buckwheat honey, they had banana and peanut butter the day before. Last night was raw almonds, a fresh strawberry, and popcorn, along with dried brine shrimp and crab food (which they seem to like). I do give them raw fish/shrimp/scallops/...

I will preface this by saying, I am new to the whole hermit crab thing. But this is what worked for us. We just upgraded to a 20 gallon tank as well. The two UTHs from the 10 gallon tank didn't keep the 20 gallon tank warm enough. I have learned that the people from the pet store know nothing! The c...