New hermit crab owner with some questions!

[hummingbird008]

Hello! I have two new hermit crabs: Jerry and Jeff. They're both big, but Jerry is smaller. Jerry is sort of a red color, and Jeff is purple and huge. Jeff stays above the sand while Jerry likes to dig. They were just put in a terrarium together today and didn't seem to notice each other that much. The terrarium is a 10 gallon tank filled half-way with zoo-med substrate with coconut fibers in it. There's two food dishes and two water dishes, and one of the water dishes has salt water in it. The water dishes are big enough for them to climb in. I put a starfish sticking up for Jeff, because he likes to climb, two bigger shells if they want to molt, two sea sponges (they're just on the substrate - I'm not sure what to do with them, exactly), and a hygrometer and a thermometer. It's about 72 degrees in there right now, and the humidity is about 72%. Are the conditions okay for them? They've been stressed this week, because I got them at the beach and they had to be moved around a lot in order to get them home. I'm worried that Jeff is going to scare Jerry, too, but they haven't really interacted much yet. I can't find either of them - I know Jerry is in a hole he dug, and I think Jeff is, too. Are there any changes I should make? Also, how do I figure out what types they are? Thanks!

[hermitcrab101]

Your conditions sound okay, but I would change a few things, while 72° is an acceptable tempature for them they'll be a lot more active if it's closer to 80°. The other thing is I would take out the zoo med brand sand and replace it with play sand, zoo med sands hardens after being wet and has dyes that can harm your crabs. I wouldn't worry about them fighting even if you don't see them interacting, I have 10 crabs and I barley see any of them interact with eachother and they never fight. If your worried about your crabs being stressed just try not to handle them or bother them in any way. I think that covered it all, good luck with your crabs.

[hummingbird008]

Thanks!

[soilentgringa]

Hi and welcome to HCA! The minimum recommended temperature and humidity are 75%. Land hermit crabs are from tropical climates and are really more active in the low to mid 80's.
I will link our care guide below! Welcome to the wonderful world of crabbing

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[soilentgringa]

viewtopic.php?t=92457

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[hummingbird008]

I'll use this, thanks!