New, have questions

Questions about unexpected problems.
Post Reply
Crabby
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jul 2008, 06:50
Hermit crabs: 2

New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

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?
User avatar
krabby_katie
Coenobita
Coenobita
Posts: 1389
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 07:02
Hermit crabs: 9
Location: Boiestown, New Brunswick

Re: New, have questions

Post by krabby_katie »

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/
Crabby
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jul 2008, 06:50
Hermit crabs: 2

Re: New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

Thanks, how big will they get?
Crabby
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jul 2008, 06:50
Hermit crabs: 2

Re: New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

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.
User avatar
Wai
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2906
Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 6
Total gallons: 45
Total tanks: 1
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Re: New, have questions

Post by Wai »

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.
Wai
Image
Crabby
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jul 2008, 06:50
Hermit crabs: 2

Re: New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

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.
I dont think they can raise the screen top?
User avatar
PhoEniX212
Zoea II
Zoea II
Posts: 193
Joined: 19 Jun 2008, 23:35
Hermit crabs: 2
Location: Brisbane Queensland
Contact:

Re: New, have questions

Post by PhoEniX212 »

Is the top either heavy or clipped on? If not, they could raise it, they are extremely strong for their size
PhoEniX212 (Emma)
GregGorden
User avatar
hermiesrokmysox
Megalopa
Megalopa
Posts: 968
Joined: 16 Nov 2005, 13:08
Hermit crabs: 7
Location: OH

Re: New, have questions

Post by hermiesrokmysox »

i have caught my crabs lifting up the glass lid over my tank (its a 20L).

welcome to HCP! :D
♥Hollywood♥LittleRed♥Qwerty♥Peanut♥Sprite♥Pip♥Paisly
http://hermielog2008.blogspot.com/
hey, im back. :)
Crabby
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jul 2008, 06:50
Hermit crabs: 2

Re: New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

hermiesrokmysox wrote:i have caught my crabs lifting up the glass lid over my tank (its a 20L).

welcome to HCP! :D

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 XD
(I had no idea they were THAT strong.... thats like ant strong....
HermieLove19
Megalopa
Megalopa
Posts: 875
Joined: 16 May 2008, 07:57
Hermit crabs: 19
Total gallons: 70
Total tanks: 2
Location: Dirty Jersey

Re: New, have questions

Post by HermieLove19 »

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 :)
Fozzy+Bloo+George+Richard+Tabitha+Mr.Krabz+Sandy+Eugene+Tigery
Gumby+Philip+Nameless+Breuer+KVD+Sonya+Patchie+Patrick+2 adopted hermies

Rufus Shawn
Post Reply