New crab mommy
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:17 am
My daughter brought home a hermit crab from the fair a couple weeks ago. Like a lot of people, I thought this would be a pretty easy pet to take care of as long as he/she had food and water, and some friends, so I went and bought 2 more hermit crabs and a 10 gallon tank. I did some research online and purchased supplies to go with my tank...under tank heater, climbing toys, a regular water dish and a salt water dish, food dish, extra shells, temperature/humidity gauge, and coconut fiber substrate. As I continued to read and learn about my new family members I found out that my tank was to small, my substrate to shallow, and my store bought food wasn’t recommended. That’s just the beginning of my uncertainty about caring properly for these little guys.
Two days ago I noticed holes in the substrate (All 3 crabs tend to stay on the side of the tank that has the heater and a little hit hide away) but could see all 3 crabs. However, yesterday, the hole that was by the food dish was covered and Greeny (temporary name for the crab with the green shell) was missing. When I removed the food dish last night to put fresh food in it, there was Greeny underneath. I didn’t bother him and gently placed the dish back over him. But now I’m not sure if he is molting and is under the dish because my substrate isn’t deep enough (approx 3”) or if he’s just hanging out. I got a 20 gallon tank yesterday along with a new and larger under the tank heater, a clamp light and a blue daytime bulb, lots of new substrate to make it 6-8” deep and was going to upgrade their tank today but now I’m not sure if I should. Also, I have new bags of unopened play sand in my garage, should I use that instead of the coconut fiber? Should I do half and half? There is so many different suggestions on the internet that I don’t know what to do. I came across your website this morning as I was searching for more information and am so happy I did. Can someone help me???
Two days ago I noticed holes in the substrate (All 3 crabs tend to stay on the side of the tank that has the heater and a little hit hide away) but could see all 3 crabs. However, yesterday, the hole that was by the food dish was covered and Greeny (temporary name for the crab with the green shell) was missing. When I removed the food dish last night to put fresh food in it, there was Greeny underneath. I didn’t bother him and gently placed the dish back over him. But now I’m not sure if he is molting and is under the dish because my substrate isn’t deep enough (approx 3”) or if he’s just hanging out. I got a 20 gallon tank yesterday along with a new and larger under the tank heater, a clamp light and a blue daytime bulb, lots of new substrate to make it 6-8” deep and was going to upgrade their tank today but now I’m not sure if I should. Also, I have new bags of unopened play sand in my garage, should I use that instead of the coconut fiber? Should I do half and half? There is so many different suggestions on the internet that I don’t know what to do. I came across your website this morning as I was searching for more information and am so happy I did. Can someone help me???
Seems like you are doing everything right for your little crabbies.
) (He's absolutely fine now
)
