HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi friends!

I have done a lot of research and I've set up my tank for my crabs improving it over the last couple months, more and more as I learn. I know some hermit crabs may die within the first year, and my kids and I have done everything we can to help them not have post purchase syndrome. However, we did find one crab passed away today. We saw that same crab hanging off the side of the freshwater dish (basically perched in a little open spot/handle of sorts, it's not big enough for him to squeeze his shell through, though) a couple days ago and it got me wondering about my water dishes. I've included two pictures of my freshwater dish. (My saltwater dish looks the same). I was assuming all this time that the crabs have enough intuition to figure out how to climb up the mesh and get in the dish. Is this true? Is it possible the water dishes are too hard to get into? I just want to them to have a great environment and not contribute to any stress/issues. (Both of my dishes make it possible for the crabs to fully submerge.) What do y'all think of the dishes? Thank you!!

Oh yes, they will totally find their way in and out if they want to. PPs don't swim/ submerge a lot. I have never actually had pools/ water dishes deep enough for mine to submerge LOL.

Thank you so much! ....I know they can find their way out, I built up the shells enough... But is one piece of craft mesh enough for them to find their way in?

I think it should be enough, but you can always add more if you want. You could check your crabs leg span and add enough mesh to make it easier for them.

Thanks so much!