Just bought 3 crabs today, help please~?

[bxbylxv]

(I accidentally posted this in the wrong topic and I don't know how to delete the other one sorry :/)

This is probably gonna be a long post, sorry!

So like a lot of other people, I bought 3 hermies from some store at a beach. They're all unpainted and small/medium. I got the large cage for them.

On the ride home I did some research on hermies and caring for them, and realized I'm totally not prepared for them at all.. I've read all the care guides, learned about temp and humidity, everything. And I'm not prepared for anything! I just got home after a 3 hour drive. The hermies are on my desk right now, just climbing on top of each other/stuff.

The store gave me the crappiest thing ever - a little plastic container with gravel (not even enough to cover the floor too) and a tiny food bowl. I luckily had dechlorinator at home since my dad loves fish (we have a huuuge fishtank). The cage is really small and I was only able to fit a big bottle cap of water into it.

The food that came with the cage is FMR. I saw that that isn't good for them. What should I feed them?

I have a 10 gallon fish tank, but it's almost 5 am so relocating them is going to have to wait.

I don't have anything for the humidity or temp yet!! Not even a way to measure it. I'm really scared that I'm harming the crabs, and I don't know when's the next time my dad has time to take me to the pet store. I feel like I'm torturing the crabs it's horrible What can I do in the meantime to help sort out temp and humidity? My room is kind of cold, and even though it's summer it's not that humid here.

I also have no sand for the little guys. What if they have to molt and I'm prolonging that even more? I feel so evil oh geez. Sorry for writing so much I'm just kind of freaking out and don't know what to do haha

Anyways, any advice would be suuuper appreciated!!

[Rawrgeous]

Hi, welcome to the HCA! Until you can get supplies cover the lid with Saran wrap, or plastic to keep the humidity in. You can spray the top of the lid with dechlorinated water to create humidity temporarily. You can also cover the container with a towel if you are concerned about temperature. Do not feed the pellets, instead give them unseasoned meat, (the tiniest morsel will do) fruit and veggies (preferably organic or at least washed with no peel) eggshells with albium left in it are a common item most households have that the crabs adore. If you have a place to collect pesticide free leaves they love them! I suggest reading the care guides as thoroughly as possible, as well as the stickies in each care section, especially the safe foods section. ( that will list several foods they can have) A newbie tip, make sure the salt you buy is for saltwater aquariums, not just plain aquarium salt. Most people use instant ocean or oceanic, the other type doesnt have the minerals the crabs require. After reading all the care guides if you have questions feel free! Don't beat yourself up though, the fact that you're working on improving their lives is a good thing, just move forward is all you can do. You can't help you were misinformed. I apologize now if this was rambling I'm typing this hurriedly on my phone at work. Good luck!! I'm sure others will chime in as they log on, but this should be a good step in the right direction.

Sent from my VS880PP using Tapatalk

[JDL_1104]

Almost the same thing happened with me. Luckily we bought a 10 gallon tank and some substrate (not even enough though) but we were lacking the humidity and heat. I did what rawrgeous said about the seran wrap. I had a empty spray bottle that I used to spray the tank a bit with their fresh water. I used a heating pad I had as a temp fix for heat. I live in CT. Summer has not been kind and I'm fluffy and hate heat. So our place is cool. I placed the heating pad on low and rested it on the side of the tank. Mine had an automatic shut off after I believe an hour? And I didn't have anything else near it nor did I leave it unattended. So, obviously use your better judgement and please don't burn your home down.. I'm just letting you know what I did. I too felt like I was unintentionally torturing my crabs don't beat yourself up! Many of the foods you can find quickly at home or even in your yard. Just avoid pesticide treated/fertilized vegetation.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[KayedeeLove<3]

Welcome too the HCA. We all start out this way, no fault of yours! You actually seem to have caught everything pretty quickly. Ill give you a couple quick and cheap tips.

Shells- Joann's sells a 3$ bag of green turbo's (preffered by crabs) I think I've bought one shell that was actually usable from a pet store.

Substrate- Play sand can be purchased 3$ a 50 lb bag at home depot and Eco earth at pet store. This is supposed to be mixed to make 6in deep.

Salt water- Buy a reef grade salt (Instant Ocean is best)

Fresh water- You have to dechlorinate both your fresh and your salt water. Buy SeaChem Prime it goes a long way.

Anything that says specifically for hermit crabs at pet store is either bad for them or doesn't benefit them (dechlorinator, salt water, food, etc). If you get all the things above... You can avoid buying all the wrong things. Good Luck

Sent from my LGMS330 using Tapatalk

[soilentgringa]

Hi! Since this is a duplicate post, the other one will be removed.

You have had some good info to start, and I know it can be overwhelming.

Reading the care guides thoroughly is a good start. They cover everything you need to know as a beginning crabber.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92457

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

[bxbylxv]

Thanks so much guys! I've managed to calm down after sleeping haha. I just cleaned my 10 gallon tank, should I move my crabs in there without substrate? I know I'm not supposed to use gravel, but if I need to I could use the fish gravel my dad has?

As for seran wrapping the lid, should I poke holes into it? I also don't have any spray bottles >~<

[JDL_1104]

Everyone says different things, but you don't need to punch holes in the seran wrap. They need the moisture in the air for their modified gills.. To breathe. I personally have about an inch strip of unwrapped section on each end of the lid for circulation. Some people choose to have some air holes, some cover completely and open the lid for a little while during the day to help with co2 build up. Also depends on the species I believe. Anyways, I'd cover most of it. If you have a fan or AC, I'd cover the whole thing. Maybe take a paper towel with their treated water and moisten the lid? Or take clean fingers tips and flick some water in there. I'm still a noob too and I feel your panic. It'll be OK this is a very helpful site with very helpful people!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk