HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello all! I am new to this group and I have some questions about my new hermit crab. Just this week I rescued a hermit crab from a neglect situation where he was not getting the proper care. He was in a small tank with some dirt and water. So I did extensive research on hermit crabs and gathered what I needed to make his home appropriate for him. I brought him home and mounted the heater on the side. It's been a few days and he hasn't really seemed to move from this one corner by the heater. I've seen him eat once but he hasn't gone to either of his water dishes or anything. I don't want to disturb him because I know I could do harm if he is getting ready to molt but he doesn't seem to be showing any signs of molting behavior from what I have read. I was told by who I rescued him from that he usually would just sit in a corner all day and wouldn't move. I know they are very social and I want to get him a friend but it is really hard with COVID-19 going on right now. Is there anything I should be doing differently? Any advice is much appreciated! I want Crabby to have a happy healthy life! )

My hermit crabs are under this log I have all day because that’s where the heater is it’s the warmest part of the tank so maybe that is why ? I don’t know much but my hermit crabs are out and about at night so maybe yours is just more active at night and could just be getting used to a new home


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It’s going to take time before it becomes active. Continue providing food and water and make sure temperature and humidity are high enough and it’ll eventually come around.


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I don’t know about getting a friend for your hermit crab I bought all 4 of mine at PetSmart and petco


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What are your temp and humidity readings?

curlysister wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:58 pm

What are your temp and humidity readings?

humidity is at 70% and temp is 79 degrees F

That's a good temp, but your humidity should be a bit higher - over 75%. It can be higher than that no problem. But they need the humidity to breathe, as they have modified gills.

What are you feeding them? And what do you use for the fresh and salt water pools?

curlysister wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 04, 2020 10:40 pm

That's a good temp, but your humidity should be a bit higher - over 75%. It can be higher than that no problem. But they need the humidity to breathe, as they have modified gills.

What are you feeding them? And what do you use for the fresh and salt water pools?

What should I do to get the humidity higher? I mist the tank once a day. Right now I'm feeding him a little bit of zoo-med hermit crab food, and a hermit crab variety diet. I also have a bit of cuttlebone in there for him to nibble on.
Right now I have a pool of fresh water that I only fill with purified water, and a saltwater bowl that I also fill with purified water but with saltwater conditioner added.
Thank you for your help!

Do you have a lid on your tank? You can seal it completely with plastic wrap, which helps hold in the humidity.
What is your sub? A mix of about 5 parts play sand to 1 part Eco Earth (coco fiber) moistened to sand castle consistency is the most common mix - it holds it's shape well, and also helps with humidity.
You can use tap water, but the water needs to be treated with a dechlorinator, such as Prime. And then a marine salt like Instant Ocean should be added for the salt water. Check out the 'water' care sheet for lots of info about water.
Most commercial foods aren't considered safe for crabs due to the additives. They can eat many of the same foods as we do, check out the 'food' care sheets for nutrition info and the safe and unsafe food lists. There are dried mixes sold that are safe, which don't contain additives - you can find these at places like the Hermit Crab Patch, and some other independent stores online, not at pet stores. Cuttle bone is a great source of calcium.

Thank you so much for the advise! I appreciate it so much!! I hope you have a great night