HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have 2 small Es and (I hope still alive) a small PP that's subterranean/molting. I lost my other PP for unknown reasons, but it looks like someone ate him, I found exo and tail near shell and not much else. He was very close to surface though which may have prompted attack.

I have a 28 gallon hex tank with a second level and 9" substrate. My conditions seem pretty spot on as far as I can tell w/o filling in emergency template again.

Here's my question (and I hope I'm in the right place) I'm adopting a new crab this week of a yet unknown species and size. It's coming from pretty poor conditions (very shallow substrate and low humidity as far as I can tell from picture). Would you ISO the new crab? How long? Until it successfully molts? Keep in mind I possibly have mean Es.

I have a 5.5 gallon that I can set up quickly if ISO seems the best choice.

One issue may be space. Hex tanks have a pretty small footprint so that really limits molting/digging room. This can become an issue, especially with Es. Just something to keep in mind. I had a 37g hex set up temporarily for 2 Es and it was a definite worry of mine. I wouldn't have added any more.

If the new crab is in poor condition, I would ISO until s/he completes their first molt. If they seem very healthy, I'd probably go ahead and add them to the main tank after a quick dip in the freshwater pool.

New crabs from bad conditions can cause problems, but it's related to what they've gone through. Depending on the crab - and it's a rare crab that will do this - but some will go crazy if put with other crabs immediately, attacking them for their shell or to try to eat them. If there's a way to give an abused crab good conditions by itself for a few days so it can stuff itself with really good food, drink as much as it wants and shop around for shells before trying it with the others, it can prevent almost all problems before they happen. Only once did I have a seriously abused crab not bounce back after 3 days by itself, and she took a molt in isolation before she was safe with the others.

So I found another tail in a hide... Thus ended the life of another crabby... No shell nearby so I'm not positive on who it was. If could have been the other E BUT I just saw him 2 days ago alive and well. I haven't seen my other PP in 3-4 weeks.

I'm going to ISO new crab and move the Es to the 40 gallon breeder.

aldebaron0626 wrote:So I found another tail in a hide... Thus ended the life of another crabby... No shell nearby so I'm not positive on who it was. If could have been the other E BUT I just saw him 2 days ago alive and well. I haven't seen my other PP in 3-4 weeks.

I'm so sorry.

I picked up the Hermit Crab today. A pretty PP, smallish but has the prettiest fat BP. It's in ISO and already took a swim in the FW pool. Checked out the SW pool first. In the cup on the way home it was digging in the 1" damp coco I put in the bottom. Surprisingly good condition all limbs and segments. Came from bone dry wire and plastic cage, less than an inch of dry coco substrate. Pellets and FW sponge only. "Lovely" panda shell.


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Congrats on the new rescue . He probably thinks he's in crabbie heaven in the iso tank after the situation he was in: "Salt water? And fresh water? Substrate I can dig down in? I thought I'd never see this again !"

He's shell shopping today. I put about 8 in there with him. Can't wait until I can get that horrible panda shell out of there


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I'm so glad you were able to rescue him! I'm sure he's loving his new home


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So he hasn't swapped his Panda shell but he is subterranean after pigging out for 3 days. Not coming up at night, sub and food untouched. I have several painted shells to clean, if I can.


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