Cohabitating with Crabs: Safe Tank Mates for Your Hermit Crab Habitat

Many people think that all hermit crabs live in the ocean, but land hermit crabs live near the shore, while marine hermit crabs live in the water. This makes it easy for them to get water when they need it, like when they’re reproducing or just need some moisture. And this is necessary to consider as you build a habitat for your pet hermit crab.

Hermit crabs dont need an elaborate home, but the appropriate temperature and humidity are vital to their health. Land hermit crabs, which are the most common type of pet, are from warm, tropical places and need a warm, humid place to live. Here’s a guide to setting up an enclosure that will give your hermit crab exactly what they need.

So you’ve decided to welcome a hermit crab or two into your home. These charismatic crustaceans make fascinating pets. But hermit crabs are social animals that thrive with the company of their own kind. You may wonder – what other creatures can safely live alongside hermit crabs? Let’s explore some options for tank mates.

Key Considerations for Compatible Cohabitants

When selecting potential habitat companions, consider:

Space – Ensure the enclosure offers adequate room to prevent territorial disputes 10 gallons per crab is recommended
Environment – Any cohabitants must thrive in the warm, humid, sandy conditions required by hermit crabs.
Temperament – House only peaceful species that won’t harm crabs Avoid predators
Nutrition – Make sure cohabitants won’t compete for food resources
Population – Monitor for breeding/overcrowding issues if selecting reproducing species.

Suggested Hermit Crab Tank Mates

Here are some animals that often make suitable crab cohabitants:

Isopods

Also called woodlice, common terrestrial isopods like Porcellio scaber make excellent tank janitors. They scavenge waste, keeping the substrate clean. Their mild burrowing even aerates the sand. Just avoid overpopulating.

Springtails

Microscopic leafhoppers and collembola species help control mold growth and decompose detritus when added in moderation. They pose no threat to crabs.

Snails

Hardy aquatic varieties like nerites perform algae cleanup. Ensure calcium sources for their shells. Monitor carefully as some crabs will harass snails.

African Dwarf Frogs

These tiny amphibians can live aquatically with hermit crabs. Ensure water quality meets both species’ needs. Separate terrestrial space for crabs.

Fiddler Crabs

Despite being closely related, fiddlers should only cohabit a large tank with docile crab species. Monitor for aggression; they may eat molting crabs.

Halloween Moon Crabs

Again, these energetically burrowing crabs require lots of space from tankmates. They are likely to disrupt substrate and damage molting crabs.

Species to Avoid Housing with Hermit Crabs

On the other hand, exercise caution or avoid entirely:

Centipedes – Venomous and may attack crabs.
Earthworms – Disrupt molting habitat. Could carry pests.
Millipedes – Secrete cyanide compounds if threatened.
Beetles – May overpopulate or harm crabs.
Crickets – Could bite or stress crabs. Difficult to control breeding.
Mantises – Will prey on small tank inhabitants.
Geckos – May consume or injure crabs. Messy uric acid secretions.
Fish – Most species require different water conditions than crabs.

Introducing New Tank Mates

When adding any cohabitants, follow proper acclimation:

Research needs of species and ensure environment meets them.
Quarantine new animals in isolation for 1-2 weeks before introducing.
Gradually integrate tank mates over several days/weeks.
Maintain optimal population density.
Closely monitor all animals for signs of stress and aggression.
Have backup housing available in case conflicts arise.

With proper selection, space, and gradual introduction, many animals can safely coexist with hermit crabs. Take time to observe interactions and make adjustments. This allows building a diverse, thriving habitat community.

Providing the Best Habitat

To successfully keep hermit crabs with tank mates:

Use an adequately sized tank – 30-55 gallons for 2-5 crabs.
Offer multiple hideouts and line-of-sight breaks.
Maintain warm tropical temperatures around 75-80°F.
Keep substrate deep enough for burrowing – 6 inches minimum.
Provide a humid microclimate using pools and moist moss pits.
Ensure proper filtration to manage waste.
Test water parameters regularly if housing aquatic species.
Perform partial weekly water changes.
Thoroughly clean/replace substrate every 4-6 months.

With some patience selecting compatible cohabitants, plus attentive care and monitoring, a diverse living ecosystem can flourish in your hermit crab habitat. This provides enrichment and interest for both crabs and their owners!

what can live with a hermit crab

Picking the Tank

Despite their name, hermits are quite social and are best kept in groups. To house your hermit crabs comfortably, keep the following in mind:

Shemit crabs can live in either a glass or a plastic tank.
Choose a 10-gallon aquarium with a lid. A sliding glass one will work well to contain humidity.
The little plastic houses that come with hermit crab kits are too small. However, these cages work great as temporary homes or isolation tanks.

Maintaining Proper Temperature

Hermit crabs are happiest kept at 72 to 80 F (22 to 27 C). If the temperature drops below 72 F regularly, the crabs will likely become weak, stressed, and ill.

Heater: Unless you live in a tropical area, you will need to use a heater to keep the crab tank at the right temperature most of the time. To keep things at the right temperature, under tank heaters (UTHs), lights, or a mix of the two can be used. Different kinds of lights can heat the tank, so you may need to try a few different combinations to find the ones that work best for your tank.
Cool and warm sides: The UTH can be put under one end of the tank to make a cool side and a warm side. The temperature will go up a few degrees above room temperature. For the best temperature control, you can use it with a thermostat to keep the temperature at a certain level, or you can set it to turn on and off at set times to keep the temperature stable. There should be a difference in temperature in the tank so the crabs can choose what they want to eat.
Change the substrate and lighting. Get a good thermometer for the tank and keep an eye on the temperature near the substrate. If the heater isn’t heating the tank enough, try taking off some of the substrate that’s on top of it. The thinner substrate will make the tank warmer. The substrate can be pushed down further if the tank is getting too warm. Some experimentation may be necessary to get good, stable temperatures.

What Fish Can Live With Hermit Crabs?

FAQ

What can you house with a hermit crab?

What can live in the same habitat as a hermit crab? Hermit crabs can coexist with other hermit crabs and freshwater crabs. In fact, hermit crabs do not do well as solitary creatures, so keeping them with at least a few other hermit crabs is preferred.

Can hermit crabs live with other species?

No. Fiddler Crabs/Halloween Crabs – aggressive diggers and are likely to eat molting hermit crabs. Earth worms, beetles, centipedes, crickets, praying mantis, roaches: May stress each other, over populate, disrupt/harm/ kill/ eat molters.

Do hermit crabs need companions?

Hermit crabs are social creatures that like to live in large groups. Because of this, they can get lonely if left alone for too long. One option to prevent loneliness is to get multiple crabs. If you do add one or more hermit crabs to an existing tank, keep an eye out for fighting.

Are hermit crabs good family pets?

Hermit crabs are social creatures that can make great family pets. Hermit crabs live on land and use empty shells for protection. If you take proper care of them, a hermit crab can be your companion for many years. It’s important that you have all the supplies to safely welcome home your new hermit crab.

Are hermit crabs easy to take care of?

Creative thinker. Music junkie. Adventurer. Hermit crabs are easy to take care of and can live for a long time if you give them a comfy home. With the right tank setup and some tasty food, you’ll have happy hermit crab buddies to hang out with!

Do hermit crabs live in saltwater?

The other group of hermit crabs lives a marine life, meaning that they live in saltwater. There is a single species of these crabs that live in fresh water. Shell Swap – Because hermit crabs must borrow shells from other animals, they have to ditch their homes when they outgrow them.

Do hermit crabs carry their homes?

Hermit crabs are well-known crustaceans that carry their homes along with them. Wherever a hermit crab goes, his house goes as well. This is because they carry shells on their backs to live inside! Read on to learn about the hermit crab. Very small hermit crab in a tiny conch shell. Tiny hermit crab. Hermit crab traveling across the sand.