Hi, someone gave me a couple small hermit crabs, I think they are purple pinchers. They came in one of those tiny critter keepers and had minimal gravel substrate, a wet sponge, and a food bowl.
I know this little tank they are in is too small but I was wondering what is the smallest acceptable size to keep two small hermits in (I'm really short on space is why I need to know the smallest size).
I've already moved them into a bigger tank with deep, damp sand and two wading dishes.
I was also wondering if they can be kept in pesticide-free potting soil instead of sand?
Would the potting soil mold?
Why doesn't the sand mold?
I read something about there being benefits of keeping insects such as rolly polly bugs in the tank with crabs, is this true and how many should I keep in there?
New, have questions
- krabby_katie
- Coenobita
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Re: New, have questions
5 gallon probably. 10 gallon would be best. I wouldn't do the potting soil thing, because there's minerals and stuff in it. Don't keep bugs in there! That's not good at all. I don't know why, but they're bad.
-Katie Forbes
Es: Mr. Krabs*Xena*Hubert*Clarice*Tank*Paras
PPs: Cosmo*Unknown*Darla
RIP: Sandy + Calypso + Kaluha + Jorgen von Strangle + Daisy + Mojo (assumed) + Stella
See them: http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/katelynforbes/
Es: Mr. Krabs*Xena*Hubert*Clarice*Tank*Paras
PPs: Cosmo*Unknown*Darla
RIP: Sandy + Calypso + Kaluha + Jorgen von Strangle + Daisy + Mojo (assumed) + Stella
See them: http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w69/katelynforbes/
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- Zygote
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- Hermit crabs: 2
Re: New, have questions
Thanks, how big will they get?
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- Zygote
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Re: New, have questions
Hmm, I asked these same questions on another forum and they said yes to put one or two rolly pollies in the tank per crab to help clean up after the crabs.
- Wai
- Administrator
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Re: New, have questions
Just a little tip; try to get aquariums that a relatively tall. Some of the best climbing ornaments for hermit crabs are pretty tall and if the roof of your crabitat isn't much higher up, your hermit crabs may escape.
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- Zygote
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- Hermit crabs: 2
Re: New, have questions
I dont think they can raise the screen top?Wai wrote:Just a little tip; try to get aquariums that a relatively tall. Some of the best climbing ornaments for hermit crabs are pretty tall and if the roof of your crabitat isn't much higher up, your hermit crabs may escape.
- PhoEniX212
- Zoea II
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Re: New, have questions
Is the top either heavy or clipped on? If not, they could raise it, they are extremely strong for their size
PhoEniX212 (Emma)
☺Greg☺Gorden☺
☺Greg☺Gorden☺
- hermiesrokmysox
- Megalopa
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Re: New, have questions
i have caught my crabs lifting up the glass lid over my tank (its a 20L).
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- Zygote
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Re: New, have questions
hermiesrokmysox wrote:i have caught my crabs lifting up the glass lid over my tank (its a 20L).
welcome to HCP!
wow..... right now they are in a short acrylic tank that has the floor space of a 10 gallon but only half as tall. I'm going to move them into a glass tank today. I'll be sure to arrange it so they can't reach the top
(I had no idea they were THAT strong.... thats like ant strong....
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- Megalopa
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Re: New, have questions
mine enjoy climbing upside down on the screen lid but have never tried to escape from it. theyre too tiny right now. i can definetly see a larger crab getting out of the lid isnt held on with clips.
Kerri
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Rufus Shawn
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