HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I'm pretty new to crabbing and this will my first tank setup. I'm still gathering materials, but I wanted to ask for suggestions. I currently have 1 PP crab and plan on getting him 2-3 friends in the next week or so. Since I'm just starting out, is there anything that you wish you would have known when you setup your first tank? Also how do you determine how big your crabs are? By measuring the current shell or by the crabs legs, etc?

UPDATE: I found a 40 gallon tank with a stand that I'm going to buy this weekend. Ideas for tank setup? It is 36" × 15" x 20" in dimensions...do you think I could have a second level? Also I could have 3-4 crabs in here right?

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Hello and welcome to HCA. Congrats on getting into this fascinating and addictive hobby/love. You will be very glad that you researched this subject before bringing your new friends home. They will be so much better off and you won't have to upgrade your tank and redo everything the next week like I did.

Have you introduced yourself on the "New to this site" page? It's a great place to start.

You can learn about crab size and crab to tank ratios on the Facts and care guide information that is located on the main Potal page in the upper left side.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92541

I think leg size is important as well when it comes to the larger crabs. It is not yet in the size charts but the consensus I have gotten from people on this site is that it does matter. Especially when considering how much space they need.

Measuring shells is only important in consideration of the opening. That is how you determine the size you need for each crab.

Feel free to post all the question you want on here. There are lots of opinions and more than one right way to care for for crabs and keep them healthy and happy.

You will find the ways that work for you but in the mean time it is important to learn what doesn't work. You have made a giant step in that direction by asking first.

I hope this helps. Good luck and post pictures we all love them!

This is Buggie, on the first day I got him. When I finish setting up his tank I'll post that too.



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He's a cutie. I really like the shell.
How long have you had him? I see he is missing a couple of legs. He should grow those back in his next molt or two. I look forward to seeing your new tank.

Hi,

Welcome to the HCA! He is a cutie pie! What an inquisitive looking guy. He's making eyes at us through the camera.

The one thing to seriously consider before set up your tank is to get the biggest tank you can afford, have space for and can work with. If you get three or four crabs in a 20 gallon depending on their size you could have up to 3 larges in there and if you were to buy mediums they could be larges within a molt or two. So go as big as you can. I've started with 10 or 15 gallon tanks that now are nothing but ISO tanks. It would have saved me money to find the great 70 gallon I have now instead of first buying the 15 and then the 40. And I was warned, and I knew better but I really thought I'd be good with that 15 for quite some time.

He does seem to be missing his big pincher. I've had him 2 weeks and he didn't have it then. He seems to be ok otherwise tho.

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How long should I leave him like this for? It's hard to tell, but he's dug shallowly in between his water bowls. He was like this last night and I just got home from work, which means he would normally be walking around and whatever else hermies do during the day...but I come home and he's in the same spot. There was a little pile of sand next to him, but I lightly smoothed it down. This is his temporary home until I buy the 20 gal this weekend. I'm afraid he's trying to surface molt, which is bad, right? Do crabs normally just hang out in a hole to de-stress with the shell exposed?

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Different crabs destress in different ways. I don't blame you for finding his behavior possibly concerning. Some crabs don't appear stressed at all and immediately start hanging around like a normal crab would, perched on some climby and sleeping out in the open like they're not worried about anything. Others immediately hide or dig and you don't see them for weeks. What you described could be a crab preparing for a surface molt, so good thinking-do watch closely for that. Keep conditions and nutrition perfect as possible, and that's really all you can do.

In the pic I didn't notice any jel limbs-which I would have expected if he was getting ready to shed is exo any day. In case you are not aware a jel limb is a little limb bud that starts growing where the missing limbs are. I kind of looks like it's made out of like a clear jelly. Cool if you ever get to see them.

Well I peeked at him yesterday and I saw he was peeking at me. Like he stayed down in the same position, but I saw his cute little eyes. Today, when I got home from work and he was like this still. Also he might have moved, because the little pile of sand next to him is back and it's a little bigger. Somehow I think he is just de-stressing.

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Those sound like good signs.

Just wanted to add that I loveeeeee his shell choice. I'm just stuck with turbos, turbos, turbos

He's having fun now I think lol. He's dug under the other corner of the water dish. I hope he doesn't topple it on himself....

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He came in that shell. Thanks tho lol. I'm fairly new here, what is a turbo?

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I have also gotten a lot of crabs in those magpies. However they are a bit heavy and most crabs usually prefer turbo shells. Here is a link to preferred shells

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 24&t=92552

If you do not have any turbos, I would def recommend getting some for your PP! I have about 7-8 shells per crab to choose from. You can find cheap turbos in the craft section at walmart, JoAnn's, Michael's, places like that. They will be in a bag mixed with other shells. Just pull out the green turbos, boil and your crabs will have a hay day with them!

So he's in a magpie now, but he might like a turbo. Good to know thanks!

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