HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My purple pincher, Hermione, hasn't been moving very much. I got her a few days ago, she was very active the first few days, and then it slowed down. She sits in her she'll for hours until I go to check on her. She likes to sit in the corner, or her little hut. I'll be getting a new friend for her soon. But is this a lonely crab, or should I be worried?

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Edit: my crab is no longer alone, I have two more crabs with her now, a female named spot and a unnamed male(I think). He's a bit too shy and stressed for me to check, but I'll find out soon. They're all so adorable!

hi there,
Do you have a tank with deep sand and a lid for keeping humidity and heat in? Crabs need sand to dig and burrow in and they need 80F and 80% humidity. If you don't have those conditions your crab will feel like it is having an asthma attack. There are forums here where correct set up of crab tanks is discussed. BUT if you have that and you have not had your crab very long they may well be adjusting to the new conditions. OR they may be suffering from Post purchase stress. Handling them will increase the stress. Best to set the crab tank up then put the crab/s in and leave them be. Just watch them and change food and water (fresh and salt) regularly.

Its common for new crabs to be active and then after a while the activity slows down... likewise, the introduction of a buddy since they are social animals will also help to decrease its vulnerability.

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Are you keeping your crab in a kritter keeper with gravel? It appears that way from the picture but that may just be a travel case.

PinchersAndShells wrote:Are you keeping your crab in a kritter keeper with gravel? It appears that way from the picture but that may just be a travel case.

It's just a travel case they gave me. I've done lots of research and I've given her a glass cage with sand, a hiding spot, salt water and fresh water, and shells.

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She is in her new tank, I know it's not perfect yet, but I'll be getting more for her very soon. She's being a bit more active, climbing on her huts and running around. She's not in her shell all the time anymore, and she seems happier.
Also my room is already pretty humid, I'll get her a humidifier as soon as possible, I'm already working on a diy one.

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Hi there,
that's looking good. Deeper pools and put a bubbler (air stone) in them and that will help improve humidity. Have you got a heat source yet?

Puoyo wrote:She is in her new tank, I know it's not perfect yet, but I'll be getting more for her very soon. She's being a bit more active, climbing on her huts and running around. She's not in her shell all the time anymore, and she seems happier.
Also my room is already pretty humid, I'll get her a humidifier as soon as possible, I'm already working on a diy one.

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Looks good so far! Please don't take offense to any suggestions we give you. We are just trying to help your crabs.

I would highly suggest a digital guage that reads indoor temperature and humidity. A lot of crabbers, myself included purchase the Accurite model from Walmart. It's in the hardware section and costs less than $10 USD. It's really hard to tell temperature and humidity. Your crab will be more sluggish with lower temperatures, that's part of the reason why we suggest 80*F. Really 78*-83* is a great range.

You might not need a humidifer if you make a few simple adjustments. Using straight sand is fine, although most use sand plus what's called cocofiber, a common brand is Eco Earth. You should be able to get it at your local pet store for less than $8 a brick/bag. A brick will give you more. You soak it in declorinated marine saltwater and then mix that with the sand to achieve "sandcastle consistency". The sand will help keep it's shape for tunneling and the coconut fiber will help give the tank a humidity boost. Also, I can't tell how deep it is, but the substrate should be 6" or 3X the size of your largest crab.

There's lots of information on the forums and a lot of friendly and helpful people who love crabs too! Welcome!

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Renroc wrote:Hi there,
that's looking good. Deeper pools and put a bubbler (air stone) in them and that will help improve humidity. Have you got a heat source yet?

Not yet, but my room is also pretty hot, I'll get one soon, but with my big window with the sun pounding on it, it gets pretty hot, I'm more worried about it getting too hot though.

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C_fiesta wrote:

Puoyo wrote:She is in her new tank, I know it's not perfect yet, but I'll be getting more for her very soon. She's being a bit more active, climbing on her huts and running around. She's not in her shell all the time anymore, and she seems happier.
Also my room is already pretty humid, I'll get her a humidifier as soon as possible, I'm already working on a diy one.

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Looks good so far! Please don't take offense to any suggestions we give you. We are just trying to help your crabs.

I would highly suggest a digital guage that reads indoor temperature and humidity. A lot of crabbers, myself included purchase the Accurite model from Walmart. It's in the hardware section and costs less than $10 USD. It's really hard to tell temperature and humidity. Your crab will be more sluggish with lower temperatures, that's part of the reason why we suggest 80*F. Really 78*-83* is a great range.

You might not need a humidifer if you make a few simple adjustments. Using straight sand is fine, although most use sand plus what's called cocofiber, a common brand is Eco Earth. You should be able to get it at your local pet store for less than $8 a brick/bag. A brick will give you more. You soak it in declorinated marine saltwater and then mix that with the sand to achieve "sandcastle consistency". The sand will help keep it's shape for tunneling and the coconut fiber will help give the tank a humidity boost. Also, I can't tell how deep it is, but the substrate should be 6" or 3X the size of your largest crab.

There's lots of information on the forums and a lot of friendly and helpful people who love crabs too! Welcome!

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Thank you, I'll be getting something to read temp and humidity, and when I get the chance I'll take a better picture.
Sorry if I seemed like I took offense to any help I was given. I never mean to sound rude or mean.

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Puoyo wrote:

C_fiesta wrote:

Puoyo wrote:She is in her new tank, I know it's not perfect yet, but I'll be getting more for her very soon. She's being a bit more active, climbing on her huts and running around. She's not in her shell all the time anymore, and she seems happier.
Also my room is already pretty humid, I'll get her a humidifier as soon as possible, I'm already working on a diy one.

Sent from my Moto G Play using Tapatalk

Looks good so far! Please don't take offense to any suggestions we give you. We are just trying to help your crabs.

I would highly suggest a digital guage that reads indoor temperature and humidity. A lot of crabbers, myself included purchase the Accurite model from Walmart. It's in the hardware section and costs less than $10 USD. It's really hard to tell temperature and humidity. Your crab will be more sluggish with lower temperatures, that's part of the reason why we suggest 80*F. Really 78*-83* is a great range.

You might not need a humidifer if you make a few simple adjustments. Using straight sand is fine, although most use sand plus what's called cocofiber, a common brand is Eco Earth. You should be able to get it at your local pet store for less than $8 a brick/bag. A brick will give you more. You soak it in declorinated marine saltwater and then mix that with the sand to achieve "sandcastle consistency". The sand will help keep it's shape for tunneling and the coconut fiber will help give the tank a humidity boost. Also, I can't tell how deep it is, but the substrate should be 6" or 3X the size of your largest crab.

There's lots of information on the forums and a lot of friendly and helpful people who love crabs too! Welcome!

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Thank you, I'll be getting something to read temp and humidity, and when I get the chance I'll take a better picture.
Sorry if I seemed like I took offense to any help I was given. I never mean to sound rude or mean.

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You didn't! you're good! I hope it all goes well with your crabbies and if you need any more help, don't hesitate to reach out!

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C_fiesta wrote:

Puoyo wrote:

C_fiesta wrote:Looks good so far! Please don't take offense to any suggestions we give you. We are just trying to help your crabs.

I would highly suggest a digital guage that reads indoor temperature and humidity. A lot of crabbers, myself included purchase the Accurite model from Walmart. It's in the hardware section and costs less than $10 USD. It's really hard to tell temperature and humidity. Your crab will be more sluggish with lower temperatures, that's part of the reason why we suggest 80*F. Really 78*-83* is a great range.

You might not need a humidifer if you make a few simple adjustments. Using straight sand is fine, although most use sand plus what's called cocofiber, a common brand is Eco Earth. You should be able to get it at your local pet store for less than $8 a brick/bag. A brick will give you more. You soak it in declorinated marine saltwater and then mix that with the sand to achieve "sandcastle consistency". The sand will help keep it's shape for tunneling and the coconut fiber will help give the tank a humidity boost. Also, I can't tell how deep it is, but the substrate should be 6" or 3X the size of your largest crab.

There's lots of information on the forums and a lot of friendly and helpful people who love crabs too! Welcome!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Thank you, I'll be getting something to read temp and humidity, and when I get the chance I'll take a better picture.
Sorry if I seemed like I took offense to any help I was given. I never mean to sound rude or mean.

Sent from my Moto G Play using Tapatalk

You didn't! you're good! I hope it all goes well with your crabbies and if you need any more help, don't hesitate to reach out!

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Thank you! I won't hesitate to reach out.

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Puoyo wrote:

C_fiesta wrote:

Puoyo wrote:Thank you, I'll be getting something to read temp and humidity, and when I get the chance I'll take a better picture.
Sorry if I seemed like I took offense to any help I was given. I never mean to sound rude or mean.

Sent from my Moto G Play using Tapatalk

You didn't! you're good! I hope it all goes well with your crabbies and if you need any more help, don't hesitate to reach out!

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Thank you! I won't hesitate to reach out.

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Hi there fellow Hermit crab-lover and welcome! Aren't these little creatures adorable and interesting! I've had my 3 for about 10 years now!!! You're crabitat is coming along nicely I would also get something for them to climb on, as they love to climb in the wild. A cholla branch is a good choice, and it's safe for them to nibble on, which they will. You can find these in most pet stores. I get mine from The Hermit Crab Patch online. It's a great family run store that has everything for Hermit crabs, and they have great nutritional food products too! Well, keep us posted and let know if you have questions! Enjoy your new hermie babies!!!


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nancat wrote:Hi there fellow Hermit crab-lover and welcome! Aren't these little creatures adorable and interesting! I've had my 3 for about 10 years now!!! You're crabitat is coming along nicely I would also get something for them to climb on, as they love to climb in the wild. A cholla branch is a good choice, and it's safe for them to nibble on, which they will. You can find these in most pet stores. I get mine from The Hermit Crab Patch online. It's a great family run store that has everything for Hermit crabs, and they have great nutritional food products too! Well, keep us posted and let know if you have questions! Enjoy your new hermie babies!!!


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Thank you!

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