No matter how new you are to hermit crabs, you already know that these tiny crustaceans need a lot of water to stay alive. They drink it, bathe in it and store it in their shells literally for dear life. Since hermit crabs are marine animals, saltwater is a staple for your crabby housemate. But if you don’t live near the ocean, you might want to use fresh water for your crab instead.
As the owner of a popular hermit crab care blog I often get asked by readers whether hermit crabs can live in freshwater. This is an important question for any hermit crab owner or enthusiast. In this comprehensive article I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about hermit crabs and freshwater.
An Overview of Hermit Crabs and Water
Hermit crabs are found in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. In the wild they live in beaches and coastal areas. This means they naturally have access to saltwater. Their bodies are adapted to living in saline environments.
However some species of hermit crabs are able to tolerate lower salinity levels. Certain types have even been observed living in freshwater environments like swamps, marshes and mangroves.
So can pet hermit crabs survive in pure freshwater? Let’s take a deeper look.
Can Hermit Crabs Live in Freshwater Tanks?
The short answer is yes, hermit crabs can live in freshwater aquariums. However, this may not be ideal for long-term health and survival.
Hermit crabs can live for weeks or even months in freshwater. But most species will eventually become stressed and unwell without saltwater access.
There are a few freshwater-adapted hermit crab species like the Mangrove crab that can thrive in freshwater tanks. But the majority of pet store hermit crabs are marine species that originate from coastal regions. These require at least some saltwater to stay healthy.
So for most pet hermit crabs, a freshwater-only tank is not recommended. They need a habitat with marine saltwater available.
Providing Saltwater in a Freshwater Tank
If you want to keep hermit crabs in a freshwater aquarium, the best way is to provide them with access to saltwater too.
You can do this by setting up a saltwater pool or dish in the tank. Use a spare plastic container, tupperware dish or similar. Make sure it’s sturdy enough that curious crabs won’t be able to tip it over.
Fill this saltwater pool with ready-made synthetic sea salt mix and treated water. Make sure it’s shallow enough for crabs to easily get in and out. Position it away from heat sources and filtration outlets. This gives your crabs a place to replenish their salt levels as needed.
Test and adjust the saltwater regularly to maintain a suitable marine salinity between 1.021-1.025. Partial water changes will be necessary to keep it clean and prevent bacterial buildups.
Caring for Hermit Crabs in Freshwater Tanks
If you decide to keep hermit crabs in a predominately freshwater habitat, here are some important care tips:
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Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels frequently. Keep them at safe levels through partial water changes. The lack of saltwater increases the risk of nitrate toxicity.
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Add chemical filtration like activated carbon to help control contaminants.
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Use a high-quality dechlorinator to remove chlorine/chloramines from tap water before adding it to the tank. Chlorine is highly toxic to crabs.
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Spot clean the tank often to remove uneaten food, molted exoskeletons and waste. This prevents harmful bacteria from proliferating.
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Make sure crabs always have access to plenty of hiding spots, extra shells, enrichment toys, and climbing areas. This reduces stress.
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Offer a varied diet with calcium-rich foods to support exoskeleton growth. Nutrition is important when molting.
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Closely monitor crabs for signs of illness like lethargy, loss of appetite, discoloration or foul odors. Isolate and treat sick crabs promptly.
With attentive care, most pet hermit crabs can adapt to freshwater life. But be sure to provide ample saltwater for long-term health. And if possible, a brackish water habitat is ideal.
Brackish Water – The Best of Both Worlds
Brackish water contains a blend of freshwater and saltwater. It has lower salinity than marine water but higher than freshwater.
Setting up a brackish water tank provides the perfect compromise if you want to keep hermit crabs in a freshwater aquarium.
To create brackish water, simply mix some marine salt into dechlorinated freshwater. Test until you achieve a salinity level between 1.005-1.010. This mimics the natural coastal mangrove environments that many hermit crabs thrive in.
With brackish water, crabs can better regulate the balance of salts and fluids in their bodies. This supports optimal health and activity levels. Molting and shell exchanging are also easier compared to freshwater-only tanks.
Can Hermit Crabs Live in Freshwater in the Wild?
As mentioned earlier, some hermit crab species are capable of surviving in freshwater habitats like swamps and marshes. But the majority of hermit crabs live along coastlines and require saltwater access.
Species like the Strawberry hermit crab and Ecuadorian hermit crab are exclusively found in marine tidal areas. Others like the Caribbean hermit crab may venture into estuaries but ultimately depend on the ocean.
A few have adapted the ability to tolerate freshwater environments for short periods when needed. But they will become stressed without the ability to replenish salts through ocean water.
Overall, while freshwater living is possible for some species, saltwater access is vital for long-term hermit crab health and survival in the wild.
Final Thoughts
Hermit crabs are fascinating animals that make unique aquarium pets. With proper care, most can adapt to freshwater life for some time. But providing a saltwater swimming pool is vital for maintaining their health in freshwater tanks.
For best results, a brackish water habitat offers the ideal balance. This allows hermit crabs to thrive while still enjoying a primarily freshwater tank.
With a little effort to meet their habitat needs, hermit crabs can live and remain active for years in a well-maintained freshwater aquarium.
They Can Tolerate It
Knowing whether your hermit crab can go in freshwater depends on what type he is. Hermit crabs usually need saltwater to mate and shed their shells, but some of them come from places near freshwater. Some species, like the Caribbean land hermit, naturally do better in freshwater than others. They use it to drink and keep their little gills moist when there is no saltwater around. Provide brackish water, which is not as salty as ocean water but still saltier than fresh water, if your hermit needs saltwater. This will at least add some saltiness, even if it isn’t at the right gravity.
Just because hermit crabs need saltwater, that doesnt mean they dont also need freshwater. You should give both to your happy hermit, especially if you don’t know what kind of crab you have. Youll find he will take a dip in either and will drink from both types of waters. If you look closely, you’ll see that your hermit crab will make his own unique shell water by combining saltwater and freshwater in just the right amounts.
Salting Up the Water Supply
You dont have to live on beachfront property to ensure your hermit crab has saltwater. You can make a supply of it using sea-salt products available at fish and aquarium supply stores. The packaging has easy-to-follow instructions to guide you through salting up freshwater to make it the right gravity. You can also get a gravity meter at an aquarium supply store to make sure you get the right amount of salt to water for your hermit crab. Noniodized table salt can suit; put 1 ounce of salt into 1 quart of water. Make sure the salt is completely mixed in and use a meter to check the gravity before giving it to your crab.
How to keep hermit crabs ALIVE!!!
Can a marine hermit crab live in a saltwater tank?
Marine and land hermit crabs need access to freshwater and saltwater to survive. Marine crabs can live in a freshwater tank, but you must provide them with a saltwater dish. These animals need the minerals and salts in saltwater to stay healthy and be able to molt.
Can saltwater hermit crabs eat freshwater?
Generally, saltwater hermit crabs should be capable of tolerating freshwater. Of course, a lot of this depends on what type of hermit crab you have. As you likely know, there are many different types of hermit crabs. Some hermit crabs are specifically saltwater hermit crabs and they live in areas where they only have access to saltwater.
Where do freshwater hermit crabs live?
Freshwater hermit crabs can be found in a wide range of habitats, including rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. They prefer areas with a combination of aquatic and terrestrial environments, such as the edges of bodies of water where they can easily transition between land and water.
Can fish live with hermit crabs?
Small Freshwater Fish: Some small freshwater fish can live harmoniously with hermit crabs. It’s important to choose non-aggressive species that won’t nip at the crabs’ sensitive limbs or shells. Examples include endlers, guppies, and dwarf rasboras.