HCA: Hermit Crab Association

This morning when I woke up, digger, who has been down for around 2 weeks, was dug up and pulled from his shell. I'm thinking it was one of the new crabs who smelled a molting crab!

Rip Digger!!

Oh no! I am sorry to hear that. How deep is your substrate?

It varies. Where digger was the sub is about 6-7"

Wow!! Are these new crabs E's??? Cuz that is plenty of substrate.

I've got 13 crabs and every one has molted at least once if not twice. I know at least 4 that have molted twice and my substrate is between 6-8 inches depending where they are in the tank.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

No all my crabs are PP's

Sorry to hear that!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

MrTeacherDude wrote:It varies. Where digger was the sub is about 6-7"

6-7" is the bare minimum amount of substrate. In our care guide and the mock crabitat pictured, you'll see that we actually recommend that half the tank be full.

It is important to remember that they have unlimited digging space in the wild.

None of my tanks have less than 10-13" of substrate, for that reason.

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

My new tank will have approximately 10" of sub. Just have to wait to set it up within the next week to month...

MrTeacherDude wrote:My new tank will have approximately 10" of sub. Just have to wait to set it up within the next week to month...

Am excited to see it once setup! It will be in your classroom, yes?

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

soilentgringa wrote:

MrTeacherDude wrote:My new tank will have approximately 10" of sub. Just have to wait to set it up within the next week to month...

Am excited to see it once setup! It will be in your classroom, yes?

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

It sure will! Transporting them in their current hexagon tank tomorrow where they will probably stay for a week or two until I can get the 75G set up. I have quite a bit of stuff in my Amazon cart just waiting for payday!

Students come next week, so they may get to experience the set up and regulation of the new tank!

Would there be a problem putting the current substrate as the top layer of the new tank? Kind of give them that familiar smell?!

That is really cool. All the kids that come over are always so fascinated by the crabs. I wish that more parents nurtured that quality instead of telling them that certain animals are "nasty" or "creepy".

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

soilentgringa wrote:That is really cool. All the kids that come over are always so fascinated by the crabs. I wish that more parents nurtured that quality instead of telling them that certain animals are "nasty" or "creepy".

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

The only thing thats "creepy" in this world is insensitive human beings who have no regard for wildlife.

Oh no:( Hope Digger recovered ok from yesterday's incident. Poor guy! Did he re-shell himself or did u have to help him? Good luck with ur hermies in the classroom! What a great educational experience for the kids! Pics please of the set up