HCA: Hermit Crab Association

And plants like any kind of plastic plant works ? Do you always spray the plants or do i have to spray my.plants ....
Dont feel like i would need to spray my plants my humidity is usually good .... but was wondering if the crabs like tha plants more if they are prayed ...

Do you juat place the plants on sand ...how would i attach plants to an upper level ...with burlap mesh and plants ??? Is burlap completely ok ?


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I personally don't use burlap. Most burlap that comes into the country has been imported, and is therefore treated with pesticides. I've never seen organic burlap. You might be able to find it, but I've never seen it.

Anything that you put into the crabitat will get chewed on.

Plants need to be crab safe. Plants that are crab safe will be listed on the safe list. AussieJJDude has stated before that plants purchased at the petstore in the reptile section can be used as well.

Anything I have ever put in has been DESTROYED!! Be prepared for that!

Edit: If you need to make a plant organic: purchase it, remove all soil, replace with organic worm castings or sphagnum moss or organic peat moss. Wait 30-60 days before using in the crabitat.

GotButterflies wrote:I personally don't use burlap. Most burlap that comes into the country has been imported, and is therefore treated with pesticides. I've never seen organic burlap. You might be able to find it, but I've never seen it.

Anything that you put into the crabitat will get chewed on.

Plants need to be crab safe. Plants that are crab safe will be listed on the safe list. AussieJJDude has stated before that plants purchased at the petstore in the reptile section can be used as well.

Anything I have ever put in has been DESTROYED!! Be prepared for that!

Edit: If you need to make a plant organic: purchase it, remove all soil, replace with organic worm castings or sphagnum moss or organic peat moss. Wait 30-60 days before using in the crabitat.

K ya i would love to put real plants but ...k
But yea i think i will get plastic plants from pet smart ! They do have alot of real plants to .... if its in the aqurium section is it still safe for crabs ? Maybe no ???? Would i still have to repot ...?
So i should not use burlap ??? At all ??

So the mesh is better then burlap. Cause sure they would nibble on plastic to ??
I mean ill just go buy mesh i just got the burlap ... but if its not safe will.not use but figured mesh and burlap where mayb es equally safe.....dont others use burlap thought seen in pics why i bought ... if i have to i qull go get mesh!!!

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Hermie escape artist wrote:K ya i would love to put real plants but ...k
But yea i think i will get plastic plants from pet smart ! They do have alot of real plants to .... if its in the aqurium section is it still safe for crabs ? Maybe no ???? Would i still have to repot ...?
So i should not use burlap ??? At all ??

So the mesh is better then burlap. Cause sure they would nibble on plastic to ??
I mean ill just go buy mesh i just got the burlap ... but if its not safe will.not use but figured mesh and burlap where mayb es equally safe.....dont others use burlap thought seen in pics why i bought ... if i have to i qull go get mesh!!!

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I also tend to view plants kept with reptiles as crab safe.

Even thought a lot of aquatic plants aren't actually aquatic plants, I dont imagine them doing very well with the crabs... especially when transitioning from submerged to emmersed growth. Their 'potting' substance is just a synthetic wool, so yeah, if you were going to do this expect dieback and also repotting...

If the burlap is 'organic' - hasnt been dyed or sprayed, will usually say on the bag - then its fine. In saying that plastic mesh has a lower risk in comparison to burlap, so maybe use mesh instead?

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aussieJJDude wrote:

Hermie escape artist wrote:K ya i would love to put real plants but ...k
But yea i think i will get plastic plants from pet smart ! They do have alot of real plants to .... if its in the aqurium section is it still safe for crabs ? Maybe no ???? Would i still have to repot ...?
So i should not use burlap ??? At all ??

So the mesh is better then burlap. Cause sure they would nibble on plastic to ??
I mean ill just go buy mesh i just got the burlap ... but if its not safe will.not use but figured mesh and burlap where mayb es equally safe.....dont others use burlap thought seen in pics why i bought ... if i have to i qull go get mesh!!!

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I also tend to view plants kept with reptiles as crab safe.

Even thought a lot of aquatic plants aren't actually aquatic plants, I dont imagine them doing very well with the crabs... especially when transitioning from submerged to emmersed growth. Their 'potting' substance is just a synthetic wool, so yeah, if you were going to do this expect dieback and also repotting...

If the burlap is 'organic' - hasnt been dyed or sprayed, will usually say on the bag - then its fine. In saying that plastic mesh has a lower risk in comparison to burlap, so maybe use mesh instead?

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Ok ya ill have to make another trip get the mesh instead ... the burlap doesnt say anything just says burlap ...has a tiny tag thats it

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Hello...i use the burlap from hobby lobby I got a roll and was thinking about the chemicals so I put my stove oven on warm n left it in there for about a hr ...

Tazz9040 wrote:Hello...i use the burlap from hobby lobby I got a roll and was thinking about the chemicals so I put my stove oven on warm n left it in there for about a hr ...

I don't believe that baking the burlap will remove the chemicals from it...

PinchersAndShells wrote:

Tazz9040 wrote:Hello...i use the burlap from hobby lobby I got a roll and was thinking about the chemicals so I put my stove oven on warm n left it in there for about a hr ...

I don't believe that baking the burlap will remove the chemicals from it...

Agreed. May remove some, but how much?...

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I purchase my plastic plants from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. You want to make sure you don’t purchase ones that are painted for color variance. You can use 40 % off coupons there.

You can usually pick up authentic fish net from there also. I like that a lot.



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I'd also like to recommend A.C Moore, if you have one nearby. They run sales all the time, and if you join their email list, you'll get coupons and sometimes $5 certificates. I've never bought anything for the crabs there besides shells, but I know they have lots of plants and rocks and things.

GotButterflies wrote:I purchase my plastic plants from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. You want to make sure you don’t purchase ones that are painted for color variance. You can use 40 % off coupons there.

You can usually pick up authentic fish net from there also. I like that a lot.



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Ill have to check that out !!! Called fish netting !? Right ?

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Moonlightdreams wrote:I'd also like to recommend A.C Moore, if you have one nearby. They run sales all the time, and if you join their email list, you'll get coupons and sometimes $5 certificates. I've never bought anything for the crabs there besides shells, but I know they have lots of plants and rocks and things.

Ya i love ac moore .. just not sure about how to tell if the fake plants would be ok or not

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Yes, it is fish net, what they use to catch fish in the sea.

Plastic plants are fine as long as they aren't painted

GotButterflies wrote:Yes, it is fish net, what they use to catch fish in the sea.

Plastic plants are fine as long as they aren't painted

K thanks im gonna try to go their

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