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NEW NEW NEW!

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:25 pm
by sarahlee1985
Hi Everyone!
I'm completely new to Hermit Crabs and have been researching them like crazy. I originally thought they would be a nice, fun, easy pet to get my three year old and now I realize how much more work they are. Instead of deterring me it has made me want them so much more! I have done so much research and know what I need to get started and take care of them but what are some things that you have found are better than others? I am currently going to be using a 20 gal tank and planning on having no more than three crabs in there right now as to not end up exceeding the limit of 5 gal per hermie but I'm wondering what is the best way to utilize my space. I want to build a ramp that can go up to a platform with the shell shop or moss pit on it. Any suggestions? Also, I want to buy more shells and be prepared but I don't know what species of hermie I will end up getting. Is there kind of a universal shell or maybe a good place to buy/order an assortment of natural shells for them so I am prepared? I want to have as much ready for them as I can.
THANK YOU! :laugh::

Re: NEW NEW NEW!

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:05 pm
by aussieJJDude
Hello welcome to HCA!
If you haven't done so already, take a good look through the Care Sheets, Guides, and Frequently Asked Questions for any concerns you may have. (And also it's a good bookmark to have :) ) In there, you will find appropriate shells that hermit crabs will love, crabby care and ideas in creating the perfect tank!

As for the tank size, I love how you're starting out with a 20g! Many crabbers I've seen start out with a 10g and before they know it they upgrading again! :lol: Not to mention that keeping 3 crabs in there will mean: more room and more time before they grow out of the tank.

As for the second level, many use soap dishes (with the suction cups) with apparent success. Other's use shelf organisers (the plastic coated ones) with a "mat" of some sort (like plastic needlepoint canvas or coconut fiber mats). Others use nets! However the sky is limitless, see what you can create!

As for the shells, best bet is to compare your local pet store to online. Sometimes the pet store has a great selection for a reasonable price, however most of the time it's cheaper, easier and more variety online. Shops such as ebay, or the "Shopping Resources" (located on the left hand side, under "Navigator") list other suitable alternatives.

Re: NEW NEW NEW!

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:41 pm
by Crabinski
Ditto @aussieJJDude's comments! Thank you for researching these little guys before taking the plunge -- enough "weird stuff" will happen after you start crabbing so it's best to have a good idea of what to expect from the outset.

If you will be getting the crabs from a standard pet shop (i.e., Petco, PetSmart), you will most likely find Purple Pinchers (PPs) as they are the species harvested closest to the US in the Caribbean. Occasionally, a few Ecuadorians (Es) find their way to a Petco or PetSmart but PPs are the norm. Just be aware that Es are more active than PPs (think Daffy Duck vs Donald Duck), require higher temperatures, deeper substrate and, on the whole, larger tanks than PPs.

PPs prefer shells with an "O" opening, such as turbos, while Es prefer shells with "D" openings, such as babylonias or whale eyes. The easiest way to get an immediate assortment of both O and D openings is to pick up a bag of mixed shells in a craft shop such as Jo-Ann, Michaels or Hobby Lobby. A bag will be under $10 and you should be able to get 6-12 usable turbos (green shells) and about the same number of D-opening whale eye, babylonia and murex shells. The bag will also contain quite a few flat scallop-like shells which are great as food dishes for small amounts of fresh foods. Once you have had the crabs for a while and they've undergone a molt, you can then shop online for the sizes they'll need. Naples and Richard's SeaShells, listed on the Shopping Resources page, are excellent and MyGann on ebay is widely used by many HCA members.

That said, the way to optimize the space in the tank depends on which 20g you have. There are two 20g lengths: the standard 20g is 20" long while the 20L is 30" long. Both are fine as a crabitat but the 20L provides more area for the crabs to tunnel under as well as more space for pools and decor. Second levels are loved by all crabbers and crabs: we love having the extra space for fun features such as moss pits and suspended shell shops while the crabs love having more places to climb to :lol: . The easiest ways to create access to upper levels are to use plants/vines, fish net, small branches/cholla or the old reliable, plastic craft mesh. Check out your local dollar store and thrift stores for plastic or cloth vines and plants for the crabs to climb, sleep on and hide under. A brightly colored cloth flower will also look great in the tank and, with its long plastic stem, it can be poked right into the substrate! Fish net and plastic mesh can be found at Jo-Ann, Michaels and Hobby Lobby: the netting is bagged and runs about $6; the craft mesh comes in a variety of colors runs under $1 for a 10"x13" sheet and is also terrific to use as pool ramps.

Hope this helps!

Re: NEW NEW NEW!

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 7:04 pm
by sarahlee1985
I was planning on at least 6 inches of substrate. Is that to much or not enough? Also, what is good to use for places for them to hide?

Re: NEW NEW NEW!

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 7:18 pm
by Crabinski
sarahlee1985 wrote:I was planning on at least 6 inches of substrate. Is that to much or not enough? Also, what is good to use for places for them to hide?
A substrate depth of 6" is the recommended minimum (3x the height of your largest crab). If you end up with a large crab among the new recruits, you can always increase the depth. Remember, a 20g is only 12" high so you want to leave a bit of room for them to enjoy above ground.

Hides can be homemade, using an overturned margarine or yogurt tub with a doorway cut out, or can be cute, useful and inexpensive such as this fake coconut half:
http://www.petsmart.com/reptile/habitat ... %3Dfaceted

As well as living in beachy areas, PPs are tree crabs and use plants, tall grasses and leaves to hide in. That's why adding fake plants and vines to the crabitat is so popular: lots of hiding places plus a homey, tropical feel.