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.
Hermit crabs are fun and fascinating pets that many people love keeping When getting pet hermit crabs, one of the most important things you need to consider is the tank size Selecting the right tank size ensures your crabs have enough space to thrive.
So how big should a hermit crab tank be? What is the ideal hermit crab tank size for 1 2, 5 or 10 crabs? This complete guide covers everything you need to know about recommended tank sizes for pet hermit crabs.
Overview of Minimum Hermit Crab Tank Sizes
To start, here is a quick overview of the minimum tank sizes for hermit crabs:
- 1-2 small crabs: 10 gallons
- 3-5 small crabs: 20 gallons
- 5-10 small crabs: 30+ gallons
- 2-3 large crabs: 20 gallons
- 5-10 large crabs: 40+ gallons
These minimums allow 2-3 gallons per average sized crab. Bigger crabs over 2 inches need more space. Always opt for larger tanks when possible.
While a 10 gallon tank is acceptable for 1-2 small crabs to start, a 20+ gallon tank is ideal for any number of pets crabs. More on specific tank size guidelines next.
Detailed Hermit Crab Tank Size Guidelines
To determine the ideal hermit crab tank size, you need to consider:
- Number of crabs – The more crabs, the bigger the tank required.
- Crab size – Allow 2-3 gallons per 1 inch of crab size. Bigger crabs need more area.
- Future growth – Get a tank that allows room for growth to adult size up to 5 inches.
Here are the recommended tank sizes based on number and size of hermit crabs:
- 1-2 small crabs (under 1 inch): 10 gallon tank minimum, 20 gallons preferred
- 3-5 small crabs (under 1 inch): 20 gallon tank minimum
- 5-10 small crabs (under 1 inch): 30+ gallon tank minimum
- 2-3 large crabs (over 2 inches): 20 gallon tank minimum
- 5-10 large crabs (over 2 inches): 40+ gallon tank minimum
A good rule of thumb is 2-3 gallons per crab plus 1 extra gallon per inch of crab size. Always choose bigger tanks when possible.
For any number of adult hermit crabs over 2 inches, aim for a 40+ gallon tank. Giant crabs over 5 inches need a minimum of 10 gallons each.
While a 10 gallon tank is acceptable for 1-2 small juvenile crabs under 1 inch, a 20+ gallon tank is much better and provides room to add more crabs later.
Tank Shape, Dimensions, and Other Features
In addition to minimum tank size by gallons, the tank dimensions and shape are also important for hermit crabs.
Here are some key tips for hermit crab tank shape and features:
- Rectangular shape is ideal, not round or curved.
- Dimensions should allow 5-10 inches of substrate depth.
- Length of tank is more important than height.
- Lid or hood needed to hold in heat and humidity.
- Proper heating and humidity maintenance accessories.
For a 10 gallon tank, recommended inner dimensions are 20 x 10 x 12 inches (L x W x H). This allows room for adequate substrate depth.
Always opt for longer rectangular tanks rather than tall tanks. Hermit crabs utilize floor space more than height.
Substrate Depth: A Critical Factor
One key factor that determines what size tank hermit crabs need is the ability to provide proper substrate depth.
Hermit crabs need deep substrate to dig, burrow, and molt successfully. Here are substrate depth guidelines by crab size:
- Small crabs under 1 inch: 5 inches substrate
- Medium crabs 1-2 inches: 6-8 inches substrate
- Large crabs over 2 inches: 8-10 inches substrate
So the tank needs to be large enough to allow the proper amount of substrate for the crabs’ sizes. Extra floor space is also better to provide room to dig.
For example, a 10-gallon tank should only house 1-2 small crabs under 1 inch since it can realistically fit about 5 inches of substrate depth.
Recommended Tank Upgrades As Crabs Grow
Hermit crabs grow continuously over their lifetime up to 20+ years. So you will need to upgrade tank size as your crabs grow.
Here are some common tank upgrades to consider as pet hermit crabs grow:
- 10 gallon starter tank → Upgrade to 20 gallons for 2-3 small crabs
- 20 gallon for small crabs → Upgrade to 30+ gallons for 5+ small crabs
- 20 gallon tank → Upgrade to 40+ gallons for large 2-3 inch crabs
Try to buy the largest suitable size tank you can afford and have space for from the start. That way you can add more crabs and avoid upgrading tanks multiple times.
But have a plan in place for eventually upgrading to a larger tank, especially as crabs reach adult sizes over 2 inches.
Providing Proper Tank Space for Healthy Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are active pets that utilize vertical and horizontal space when housed properly. By following these tank size guidelines, you can ensure your crabs have room to dig, climb, and thrive in captivity.
While it may be tempting to size down, resist the minimum requirements and choose the biggest tank size possible. More room to roam will lead to happier, healthier pet hermit crabs.
So review this guide to select the ideal tank size based on number of crabs, current and future adult sizes, substrate needs, and other factors. Giving your hermit crabs adequate room to grow will result in active, long-lived pets that fully utilize their suitable tank spaces.
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.
Hermit Crab Tank Size || Tat Chats
What size tank does a hermit crab need?
Therefore, the absolute minimum tank size for a pair of medium hermit crabs is a 10-gallon tank. Thus, a 20-gallon tank would be a better choice for crabs at this size. Large hermit crabs include all crabs over 8 cm (~3 inches) in diameter. These guys need the most space of all, at 15 gallons of space per individual.
What is the smallest tank for a hermit crab?
A 10 gallon tank is often the smallest tank that you should get if you plan on keeping hermit crabs. Anything smaller than 10 gallons will not provide adequate space for your hermit crab pets. Please note, that 10 gallons will only be a starter tank, and you should upgrade later.
How many hermit crabs in a 76L tank?
If you want to house 2 Hermit Crabs, you’re going to need a 76L tank minimum. The easiest way to calculate how many crabs you can fit into your tank is by using the below formula. Tank litres ÷ 38 = number of crabs you can house. This formula is great if you already have a tank and know the litres.
How big should a crab tank be?
Determining how big of a tank to use depends on two things: how big your crabs are and how many you plan to have. In general, if you are starting with only a few (2 – 3) small Hermit crabs (By the way, you should never keep just 1 crab) a 10-gallon tank will provide them with enough space. However, they will happily live in a larger one.