What’s the best way to introduce new crabs?

[Tina2010]

I currently have 3 purple pinchers. A friend is giving me her two crabs tonight because she said her cat keeps getting into her terrarium and digging up her crabs! It sounds like they haven’t been taken care of properly and I am slightly concerned with the health of her crabs. So here are my questions..

1. Can her crabs make mine sick?

2. These are the first new crabs introduced to my crabitat. What’s the best way to introduce them?

3. Is it a good idea to upgrade tank size. I currently have a 10 gallon terrarium. The three I have already seem slightly crammed. So adding two more, is it enough space?

4. I keep my crabitat in a warm part of my home and having heating pads and heating light keeping it above 80 at all times. When I leave the house though, I turn off the daytime bulb, worrying they can overheat. Can a bulb be too hot for the crabs?

5. I also use play sand and coconut fibers for the substrate. I always get nervous getting a different brand sand, in case there are any deadly toxins in it. Am I safe with any type of play sand?

Thank you!

[Froggypjs]

Hey!
I am new to the website but I may know some things that may help you.

1. Her crabs would only make your crabs sick if her crabs are sick. It would be a good idea to put them in iso for a little bit or bathe them to make sure any mites are gone. But most likely if your friend had the crabs for a while then they are probably okay.

2. The best way to make your existing crabs used to the new ones it to let the new crabs live in iso for a few weeks. This may not be what you want to hear but it will help the stress levels be a little less than if you put them with new stranger crabs.
Most likely the new crabs will burry under ground for a while to de stress. It is best to leave them in iso until the come up voluntarily.
Once the crabs are de stresses form the initial move, you can begin to start adding them to the main tank.
Start by dipping the new crabs into the main tanks fresh water bowl in order to introduce the new smells. Place the old crabs near the water and then wait a few minutes and allow for the crabs to smell the new crab smells. Then place the new crabs in. Watch the crabs closely to make sure that the old crabs are not being too aggressive. Slight aggression is normal tho. The crabs are creating hierarchy.

3. It is a great idea to upgrade!!! I would recommend a 20 gallon long or a 40 gallon Breeder. You can use your old 10 gallon as the iso for the new crabs.

4. Do you have a thermometer? And hermit crabs need a very warm climate. I would recommend leaving the light on and only turn it off an night.
Also make sure that you are misting!! They need a lot of humidity also to replicate their natural climate. 80% or above.

5. Most types of play sand are okay. Make sure to rinse it out before you put it in the enclosure. And also smell it, if it smells oily the don’t but it. Also sift through it before putting it in the enclosure to make sure there aren’t any bugs or mites.

If you have any more questions I’ll be happy to answer them!!
Hope your crabs will be happy!!

[Tina2010]

Thanks for your response. Very helpful! When I get the new tank, should I replace all the substrate with new substrate?

[Froggypjs]

Glad to be a help!! And to answer your question, Yes you should. It is always a good idea to change the substrate once and a while. But you should keep with the mix of coconut fiber and play sand. Which is the most like their natural substrate.

[soilentgringa]

I've never ISO'd new crabs. I place them in the freshwater pool and allow them to climb out and explore the tank.

It is not necessary to change your substrate out once established and at a good consistency. Beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that help to break down waste build up in the fiber/sand mix.

You can remove part of the old sub once a year or so and add new to it, "seeding" the new substrate with the flora from the old.





Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk

[Moonlightdreams]

I currently have 3 purple pinchers. A friend is giving me her two crabs tonight because she said her cat keeps getting into her terrarium and digging up her crabs! It sounds like they haven’t been taken care of properly and I am slightly concerned with the health of her crabs. So here are my questions..

1. Can her crabs make mine sick?
Unless they have mites, nope.

2. These are the first new crabs introduced to my crabitat. What’s the best way to introduce them?
Dip them in the freshwater pool of your current tank so the new crabs will have the same smell to the other crabs. It isn't really necessary to ISO unless you feel the need to, or there's a problem. (Injured crab, etc)

3. Is it a good idea to upgrade tank size. I currently have a 10 gallon terrarium. The three I have already seem slightly crammed. So adding two more, is it enough space?
5 in a 10 gallon is definitely too crowded. The rule is usually 5 gallons per crab for mediums and smaller, and 10 gallons per crab from there. (I think.) Plus, crabs grow.

4. I keep my crabitat in a warm part of my home and having heating pads and heating light keeping it above 80 at all times. When I leave the house though, I turn off the daytime bulb, worrying they can overheat. Can a bulb be too hot for the crabs?
Reptile thermostats (I think you can use ones meant for seedlings as well) can help with that. They can be set to turn on the lamp/UTH when the temperature drops to the set temperature (say, 78) and to turn off the lamp/UTH when it reaches the desired temperature. (We'll say 80) That way, it doesn't overheat. If you're most comfortable turning off the lamp, that's alright, as long as they don't get too cold.

5. I also use play sand and coconut fibers for the substrate. I always get nervous getting a different brand sand, in case there are any deadly toxins in it. Am I safe with any type of play sand?
I use Quikrete. I haven't had any issues with it.

Thank you!

Side note regarding your above comment: No, you don't need to replace substrate unless you have a bacterial bloom, a flood, etc. Your current sub should be fine to use.