Caring For Hermit Crabs: A Complete Guide To Setting Up The Perfect 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.

Hermit crabs make fascinating and unique pets. Their curious, exploratory nature makes them endlessly interesting to observe. However, caring for these creatures also requires some special considerations to create the proper environment. If you’re thinking about getting a hermit crab, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to give them a safe, comfortable habitat.

The Basics Of Hermit Crab Care

Hermit crabs are not like typical caged pets. Since they are accustomed to roaming coastal beaches in the wild, replicating some of those conditions is key to keeping them healthy and happy as pets. Here are the basic elements every hermit crab habitat needs:

A secure tank or enclosure: A minimum 10-gallon glass tank is recommended. Make sure it has a tight-fitting screen or glass lid to prevent escapes.
Proper temperature and humidity Hermit crabs require warm humid conditions. The ideal temperature range is 70-80°F with a constant humidity level of at least 70%.
Substrate: Sand specially formulated for hermit crabs should be used as substrate. This helps mimic their native terrain.
Hiding spots: Include natural decor like shells, rocks, wood, and plants for them to climb on and hide under.
Fresh and salt water: Provide dechlorinated fresh water and marine-grade salt water in separate shallow dishes.
A varied diet Hermit crabs eat a omnivorous diet of fruits veggies insects and calcium-rich pellets.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll give your new pets the healthy, stress-free home they deserve. Read on for more details on setting up the perfect habitat.

Selecting The Right Enclosure

A glass aquarium is ideal for housing hermit crabs. It allows for proper heat and humidity control. The minimum size recommended is a 10-gallon tank, which can comfortably house up to 5 small-to-medium sized crabs. For each additional crab, increase the tank size by 5 gallons.

Make sure the tank has a very secure lid or hood. Hermit crabs are notorious escape artists and will take any opportunity to climb out and explore! A tight screen or glass top keeps them safely inside.

For added security, the inside of the tank can be coated with petroleum jelly above a certain height to prevent climbing. Place decor strategically so there are no spots they can use as ladders to the top.

Setting Up Proper Heat And Humidity

Since hermit crabs are from warm tropical climates, replicating those ambient temperatures is crucial for their health. The ideal temperature range is 70-80°F. The tank should have a heat gradient, with the warmest spot being 75-80°F on one end and the coolest area staying above 70°F.

This can be achieved by placing a submersible aquarium heater in the water dish on one end of the tank. Use thermometers on both ends to monitor the gradient. Avoid heat mats attached to the glass, as this can make regulating heat difficult.

Humidity is also extremely important. Hermit crabs have modified gills that require moist air to breathe. The minimum humidity level is 70%, but maintaining 80% or above is better. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity. If levels drop, mist the tank with dechlorinated water several times per day.

Proper temperature and humidity keeps your crabs active, healthy, and comfy!

Selecting The Right Substrate

Sand specifically formulated for hermit crabs is the best substrate. It should be a mix of calcium carbonate sand and coconut fiber. This mimics the terrain hermit crabs live on in their natural beach habitat.

The depth of the substrate depends on the size of your crabs. For small-to-medium crabs, provide at least 3 inches of substrate. For larger crabs, allow a minimum of 5 inches for digging and molting.

Never use regular sand, gravel, or crushed coral as it can harm their sensitive abdomens. Stick with specialty hermit crab substrate blends which are appropriately sized and contain vital minerals they need.

Providing Fresh And Salt Water

Hermit crabs require constant access to two sources of water – dechlorinated fresh water and marine-grade salt water. Provide each type of water in separate shallow dishes so they can stay properly hydrated.

Use dechlorinator to remove chlorine and chemicals from regular tap water. For the salt water, mix in marine salt designed for saltwater aquariums to the proper salinity level according to package instructions.

The water dishes should be wide and shallow, no more than 1 inch deep, so the crabs can easily get in and out. Place them at opposite ends of the tank. Change the water two times per week or more frequently if it gets dirty. Proper hydration is vital for hermit crabs!

Adding Climbing And Hiding Spots

Think like a crab when decorating their habitat! Hermit crabs love to climb, burrow, and hide out in dark cozy spots that make them feel secure. Include plenty of rocks, shells, branches, driftwood, live or silk plants, sea sponges and other aquarium-safe decor.

Natural items like shells and rocks should be scrubbed and disinfected. Place decor strategically so they have spots to safely climb up but not escape. Also bury some decor under the substate so they can dig down and explore underground tunnels.

Adding lots of nooks, caves, and foliage satisfies their active, investigative nature and reduces stress. Make sure decor doesn’t take up more than 1/3 of total tank space so they have open areas for movement. Aim to mimic their wild, coastal environment as much as possible.

What To Feed Your Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are omnivores, so providing a varied diet is important for full nutrition. Their main food staples should include:

High-quality pellet formula made for hermit crabs. This supplies balanced nutrition.
Fresh fruits and vegetables like apple, banana, melon, sweet potato, and leafy greens. Chopped finely.
Unsalted nuts, seeds, dried seaweed, and coconut for fiber and plant protein.
Bits of hard-boiled egg, cooked lean meat or fish, dried insects for animal protein.
Calcium-rich foods like crushed coral or cuttlebone. This helps their exoskeletons stay strong.
Fresh or freeze-dried mealworms, crickets, and other feeder insects provide enrichment.

Remove any uneaten fresh foods within 12 hours to prevent spoiling. Provide a constant supply of calcium-rich pellets and replenish fruit and veggies every 2-3 days. Feeder insects can be given 2-3 times per week. Use small dishes for dried foods.

Proper nutrition from a varied diet keeps your hermit crabs healthy and thriving for years to come! Just remember, no table scraps or citrus fruits as these can be harmful.

Handling Your Hermit Crab With Care

Hermit crabs are extremely fragile creatures. Their exoskeleton can crack and limbs can fall off if handled roughly. Follow these guidelines for safe handling:

Never pick up a hermit crab by their legs or claws. Support their body gently but securely from underneath.
Handle them for short periods, only when necessary, and not right after a molt when very vulnerable.
Make sure they have a firm grip before lifting them up. Never pick up a crab hanging on wire mesh or habitat decor.
Set them down gently. Dropping them even a short distance can cause injury.
Wash hands before and after handling to prevent transmitting oils that can clog their modified gills.

Teach children proper handling techniques and always supervise interactions. With careful, respectful handling, you can avoid injuring your delicate pets.

Final Tips For Success

Here are a few final tips to give your hermit crabs the best care possible:

Perform partial water changes twice per week and full substrate changes every 4-6 months.
Provide a variety of shells so they can swap into larger homes as they grow.
Quarantine new crabs for a few weeks before introducing them to your main habitat.
Research signs of stress and illness so you can address any issues promptly. Molting complications, limb loss, and carapace damage are common concerns.
Never release captive hermit crabs into the wild as they can introduce disease or become an invasive species.

With the right tank setup, heating, humidity, substrate, feeding, and handling, you can feel confident keeping healthy, active hermit crabs. They’ll reward you with hours of amusing antics as they explore their mini oceanfront world. Just be sure to do your research before taking home these quirky crustaceans.

what do you need for a hermit crab

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.

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.

Basic Hermit Crab Care – How to Have a Happy Hermit Crab | By Crab Central Station

How do you care for a hermit crab?

Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature. If you use an under-tank heater, cover it with at least an inch of bedding, so your crabs don’t get uncomfortably hot. Hermit crabs thrive at humidity levels between 70% and 80%. Mist their terrarium with non-chlorinated water as necessary and use a hygrometer to keep track.

How much humidity does a hermit crab need?

Hermit crabs need a certain level of humidity to maintain their gills moist for breathing and help in molting. Lack of adequate humidity is the most common cause of hermit crab death in enclosures. Generally, you should keep the humidity levels inside the tank between 75 percent and 90 percent.

Do hermit crabs need a heater?

To maintain proper temperature, you may need to use an under-tank heater. Hermit crabs need a certain level of humidity to maintain their gills moist for breathing and help in molting. Lack of adequate humidity is the most common cause of hermit crab death in enclosures.

What do hermit crabs eat?

Hermit crabs eat pellet food, supplemented with vegetables and fruit. Hermit crabs take small bites and eat very slowly, usually at night. Small crabs sometimes don’t have claws big enough to grab onto pellet-type food. Feed small crabs 1 teaspoon of powdered hermit crab food, or pellets crushed into powder.