HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Today and this week I'm in the process of construction of a custom crabitat.

I have 5 kids, all small to medium size.

In the new configuration, a tank will be sunken under and filled nearly to the top with sand.

Enclosure being built up around that, so crabs will have a good 3 feet upward climbing space.

The tank for the sand is brand new and 13 inches deep.

I'm thinking though that the whole thing doesn't need to be sand ATM. Thinking 8-9 inches is deep enough.

To lighten things up a bit and use the space up in the bottom I'm thinking about layering some pool noodles in the very bottom of the tank.

If wedged in well and a crab got to the bottom all they'd hit is squishy foam.

Can't see them being compelled to eat it.

The noodles seem to be deemed non toxic too for the most part.

Is there any obvious reasons I shouldn't try this?

Hello! No to the pool noodles. They are labeled non toxic for people, not for crabs.

The crabs will dig down, and they could pick at them and eat them. It would be harmful for them to injest them.


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The crabs need all the molting space they can get. Pool noodles would not allow.

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I dont understand why you want pool noodles? That space could be used for substrate, or imagine it near the surface, additional climbing space...

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Ok, thanks.
Just thinking that extra substrate seems overkill.

My crabs are all serious climbers.

Currently they all hang up on the second floor. It's why I decided to build upward. That, and the main bottom tank is deep to reach into. Creating something with a sliding door on the front, and then positioning water pools outside of the sand area they can access with them abutted next to the sand tank.

Also thinking ahead to cleaning to be easier.

The only glass will be the sand tank. Putting Plexi walls up around the sides.

avenuegirl wrote:Ok, thanks.
Just thinking that extra substrate seems overkill.

My crabs are all serious climbers.

Currently they all hang up on the second floor. It's why I decided to build upward. That, and the main bottom tank is deep to reach into. Creating something with a sliding door on the front, and then positioning water pools outside of the sand area they can access with them abutted next to the sand tank.

Also thinking ahead to cleaning to be easier.

The only glass will be the sand tank. Putting Plexi walls up around the sides.

Hermit crabs spend weeks and months underground tunneling and molting; having adequate substrate is paramount to their survival.



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