Just saying hello

[Kittykimbro@att.net]

Hi, I just returned from a trip to FL, where I felt compelled to rescue 4 Hermit Crabs from a souvenir shop. They were able to stay alive for the 4 day weekend, a 10hr car ride home and another couple of days to shop, set up and wait for the environment to become suitable for them. A testament to their desire to thrive and my lack of knowledge. They spent the next two days eating, drinking and exploring day and night. Then POOF!!! They all dug places underneath caves and for 2 weeks now only come out at night. They backfill the door during the day. Three of them are in painted shells and while I have put several shells apiece out for them to change into, no one has. They have moved the shells all over the 10 gallon tank but no changes. They are all PPers , 2 jumbo and 2 med. I have followed all of the advice I have found on here and feel that that is why they are all 4 still here and thriving 6 weeks into their adventure with our family. I need a deeper substrate( Beach sand and coconut fiber) but with a hiding cave for each crab and the fact that I am replacing the 10 gallon with a 20 gallon next week, I feel they will be fine until then. Any advice is welcome.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

Are you able to do larger than a 20? Jumbo are not going to be happy in a 20. I recommend a 40 or bigger. 55 would be a good size. Craigslist is relatively cheap for tanks and you could probably get a 40 or bigger used for the cost of a 20 new. 9 inches of sand is recommended for Jumbo crabs.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[hermitcrabdc]

Hi, welcome to the HCA.
Your tank sounds great, we'd love to see pictures if you have any.
If you have crabs that large a 20g is not going to be big enough. Something bigger will be needed to keep them from getting overcrowded. This thread may help you out viewtopic.php?f=26&t=92541
Other than that it sounds like you're onto a great start. Good luck with the crabbies

[Kittykimbro@att.net]

I can do larger. I will look to see what I can find. Should I just increase my substrate now and add a level until I get a bigger set up? How much time will that buy me?

[KellyCrabbieLove]

I can do larger. I will look to see what I can find. Should I just increase my substrate now and add a level until I get a bigger set up? How much time will that buy me?

Definitely do that but we can't tell you how much time it will buy you because we don't know their molting schedules. I wish it was easy! They need a guague on the back of their shells with a count down to better plan for their disappearances!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Kittykimbro@att.net]

I have found a 55g tank on craigslist and will be picking it up over the weekend. I have started a conversation titled False Bottoms under the Crabitat Conditions. I hope to get advice along the way to build a really great habitat. Hope to hear from ya'll there.