HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So I walked into the store and couldn't believe what I saw; I almost had to walk back out and walk back in! Literally right in front of the door was a table with all kinds of hermit crab care information. They had heating mats, EcoEarth, Instant Ocean, a fully equipped 10 gallon tank, and things to climb on! They also had a sign that read:

The 5 Rules of Hermit Crabs
1) NEVER DIG THEM UP or pull them out of hiding!
2) Provide enough deep, moist bedding for your largest crab to fully bury itself
3) Humid air is CRITICAL because crabs have gills!
4) NEVER DIG THEM UP
5) Stuff to climb on and hide under

On the calendar on the wall behind it read:

Pet of THE MONTH: HERMIT CRABS!
"This time of the year, a lot of people bring them home from trips to the East Coast. Let us teach you how to keep your little pal happy and healthy for years to come!"

I brought this display up to the cashier and mentioned that it was nice to see, and she told me that the manager loves hermit crabs, and they have made lots of improvements in the store for them, because of him.

I LOVE PET SUPPLIES PLUS!! Though I don't go there much anymore ever since I found Petsmart being closer along with Jack's. They have one of the pet set ups for hermit crabs around here.
Which store was this?? (city?)

hermitcrabdc wrote:I LOVE PET SUPPLIES PLUS!! Though I don't go there much anymore ever since I found Petsmart being closer along with Jack's. They have one of the pet set ups for hermit crabs around here.
Which store was this?? (city?)

I have almost all of the chains within a reasonable distance from me, but I prefer Pet Supplies Plus, because they are both cheaper than the others and have their crabs taken care of. I have heard of Jack's but I do not have one anywhere near me; I am in the northeast area. I think driving to Columbus would be the closest, and that is not a quick drive. Dx

Maybe all of the Pet Supplies Plus locations are doing the same thing; who knows? It was just really nice to see a store doing something in the way of providing people with knowledge on hermit crabs.

That's great!! I've never been to a Pet Supplies Plus. I think the closest to me is in northern DE. Maybe next time I'm up that way visiting my dad, I'll check it out.

CallaLily wrote:That's great!! I've never been to a Pet Supplies Plus. I think the closest to me is in northern DE. Maybe next time I'm up that way visiting my dad, I'll check it out.

When I first saw it, I was thinking that one of us must have dropped by and given them an earful or something. You wouldn't regret it; some of them aren't as clean as Petco, but they usually take good care of the animals and seem to actually care about them. The little crabs are usually under or around $4 a piece; which, is nice. I have to stay away from the tank, if I do not intend to end up with passenger for the ride home...

I like Petco except I've seen those yucky pellets for food in the Hermit crab food dish, and they are expensive there, not just the crabs themselves, but most of the supplies are at least $1-2 + more expensive than Pet Supplies Plus, or at least that is what it was the last time I went there.

My Pet Supplies Plus uses the pellets so does Jack's, Petsmart, Petco ect.
However at the Pet supplies I go to they use calci sand that is maybe and inch deep. But they do seem to care about the pets and are very helpful.

hermitcrabdc wrote:My Pet Supplies Plus uses the pellets so does Jack's, Petsmart, Petco ect.
However at the Pet supplies I go to they use calci sand that is maybe and inch deep. But they do seem to care about the pets and are very helpful.

When I got some in 2011, which was the first time I had gone in there in a while, the crabs were kept in a 5 gallon tank, no lid, little to no water, and they also had that calci sand, which was very low too; I even saw a couple dead crabbies in there. So as I was picking mine out, I was explaining different things to the girl helping me, and I don't know if it was because of my input, or something else, but, when I went back for more, maybe a month later, they were in a tank like they have all of the other reptiles. There was EcoEarth in it that was a little deeper, but I understand why they do not want to make it too deep. I forget what kind of food they were using, but for whatever reason, I do not think that they were using the pellets. I did not go by the tank yesterday, as I would have definitely ended up with one or two, and I need to wait until I am settled in at my new house, before I get more. It is bad enough that mine will have to deal with the moving process. Anyway, I was really impressed with the steps they took within a month, and then yesterday, yesterday just made me smile.

That's great!!
I forgot that I've gone to a different location of Pet Supplies Plus. They had Eco earth I'm pretty sure. However they had crabs in painted shells, and in natural shells. And their so called "crab expert" didn't even know the differences between the two species they were selling or that they were even selling two species.
Btw does your store sell a lot of Es or PPs of both. The store I usually go to (the one with calci sand) has a majority of Es most of the time. Then the other store (I've been to once or twice because the other store only had one crab and we wanted two) had a good number of both.

Now I want to go!!

hermitcrabdc wrote:That's great!!
I forgot that I've gone to a different location of Pet Supplies Plus. They had Eco earth I'm pretty sure. However they had crabs in painted shells, and in natural shells. And their so called "crab expert" didn't even know the differences between the two species they were selling or that they were even selling two species.
Btw does your store sell a lot of Es or PPs of both. The store I usually go to (the one with calci sand) has a majority of Es most of the time. Then the other store (I've been to once or twice because the other store only had one crab and we wanted two) had a good number of both.

Now I want to go!!

Mine doesn't, or didn't, have a "crab expert" but I'll have to see if they do; I bet that manager the cashier was talking about might be though, so maybe those crabs are in good hands.

I've only seen PP's at this one; there was one store I went to a few years back that had E's but they died on me soon after. They were not kept real well at that place; I think it has since closed though. I would like to have Straws, haven't seen any yet.

I'm itching to buy more crabs, but I am trying to hold off because of the move, which sucks, I am weak in will power, when it has been a while since I have gotten any. :roll:

Rebecca C wrote: Mine doesn't, or didn't, have a "crab expert" but I'll have to see if they do; I bet that manager the cashier was talking about might be though, so maybe those crabs are in good hands.

I've only seen PP's at this one; there was one store I went to a few years back that had E's but they died on me soon after. They were not kept real well at that place; I think it has since closed though. I would like to have Straws, haven't seen any yet.

I'm itching to buy more crabs, but I am trying to hold off because of the move, which sucks, I am weak in will power, when it has been a while since I have gotten any. :roll:

It's strange how the tanks vary from one store to anther. Some are great some not so much. But stores like Petsmart are normally, almost the same.
I feel like if anyone would have straws it would be Jack's or Pet Supplies Plus. Idk though just a guess.

You can do it!!! !!! !!! You can hold off long enough!!

hermitcrabdc wrote: It's strange how the tanks vary from one store to anther. Some are great some not so much. But stores like Petsmart are normally, almost the same.
I feel like if anyone would have straws it would be Jack's or Pet Supplies Plus. Idk though just a guess.

You can do it!!! !!! !!! You can hold off long enough!!

Indeed, I wish all pet stores cared more about the pets than the money they are making; maybe all the tanks would be different, but they would all have basic, proper conditions for them. Maybe one day; we all just need to try to make a difference and get people to listen to listen to us.

Yeah, non-chain stores/family owned, tend to get more of a variety. Columbus is a two hour drive though. Dx I'll have to check out some local, family owned stores; I prefer to give them my business anyway.

Thank you, I'm trying, I just need to stay out of the pet stores, and I will be fine until then. But I have a feeling that I might browse some stores near Chicago, when I go there this weekend, just to see if they have any exotics...I wouldn't be able to pass that up...

Your PSP needs to talk to my PSP and get those good conditions spreading! Mine looks like they took a lizard spot and stuck crabs in it. All thd crabs were lethargic or dead at mine. But this is great news cuz now i can walk in there and say "u know what awesome stuff this other PSP is doing for their crabs?!?"


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YYWW wrote:Your PSP needs to talk to my PSP and get those good conditions spreading! Mine looks like they took a lizard spot and stuck crabs in it. All thd crabs were lethargic or dead at mine. But this is great news cuz now i can walk in there and say "u know what awesome stuff this other PSP is doing for their crabs?!?"


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Aww, that's horrible! I encourage you to tell them about the one that I go to (East of Cleveland), maybe it might inspire some change, if you are gentle about it.

Totally! I just need someone to back me up, so hopefully they can call [Cleveland] and confirm. Thanks for the info


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I don't know how the store(s) in Cleveland keeps the crabs; I'm more East; I could PM you my store's number.