New crabbie owner & I’m stressed!

[HankTheHermitsMom]

Hi guys- so I went to the pet store and I saw this hermit crab who was so stressed out and I just impulsively brought him home. He was the only crab in the tank. No food was in there. Not very deep sand at all. He looked miserable. After doing further research I have learned that buying hermit crabs from pet stores is a horrible business and I’ll never do it again. My next crab will be adopted. I am sick to my stomach after researching more about this topic. But anyways. Now that I have him I need to make his life the best it can be. Please give me some tips or something. Also where can I get him a friend? Right now he’s been eating blueberries, cauliflower, broccoli, pasta noodles (plain), raspberries and strawberries. Not all at once I’ve had him for a few days. I want to get him a friend and I want to do better than his current set up. Right now he’s in a plastic tote box with coconut substrate and sand.

[curlysister]

Everything you need to know can be found in the care guides. Have a read through the info, and focus on getting a good crabitat set up before thinking about a friend for him. Check out the section of crabs needing homes for your area.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... .php?f=120

You are going to need a heat source, thermometer and hygrometer, dechlorinator, marine salt, extra shells, and a balanced diet. Temp and humidity around 80 degrees. Pools deep enough that he can submerge fully but also have a way to climb out. Substrate at least 6 inches or 3x as deep as your crab, and moistened to sand castle consistency (use dechlor fresh or salt water to moisten) (play sand not 'hermit crab' sand, and coconut fibre). At least 3-5 extra shells per crab. Diet needs to have calcium and protein daily, commercial hermit crab foods are not considered safe.
Ask any questions you have after reading the care sheets! We are here to help!