Lots of questions! Help is much appreciated.

[Savage Destiny]

So, I may very possibly be aquiring a hermit crab within the next few days. I found an ad on Craigslist (http://bend.craigslist.org/pet/560038486.html) and I feel sorry for this little dude. I don't know much about crabbies, but I do know that "tank" looks WAY too small and its filthy to boot. Aren't those painted shells bad too? I don't know if they've sold him already, but I e-mailed them and told them I wanted him if he was still there.

I'm trying to get a sort of crash course on crabby care in case I get him/her. I've read through this site and a few others, but I still have some questions! First of all, would this tank be acceptable? Its filthy right now... it was used for my ratties, and I haven't really had the heart to clean it out since they passed a month or so ago. Obviously it'd be cleaned and sterilized, and the stuff on top removed. Would it be too big? Its also got a heavy-duty wire mesh top, bolted down so my kitties couldn't get to the ratskies. Would I need to replace it with a glass top for humidity, or would it be okay?

I've read a couple places that crabbies need friends. Is this an absolute necessity, or would this little dude be okay alone? I'm willing to have numerous crabs, but I was curious. If friends are a must, is the tank big enough for numerous crabs? How many? Also, should I bathe this guy with water and StressCoat when I get him, or just let him settle in? Do all crabs need both fresh and salt water? Actually, on the subject of water... if I have a Brita filter on my tap, is that crab-safe? If not, should I buy bottled water or is fishtank decholrinizer the safest bet (and what brand of dechlorinizer is best)?

Cage decoration. I know they need lots of hidey holes and climbing stuff. Can I use things like juniper branches for climbing or should I buy branches? Are small bird or lizard climbing toys okay for crabs? I've also had undertank heaters mentioned... is that something that goes under the substrate or the tank itself? What's a good brand? Are they necessary?

Lastly, diet. I am a huge believer in natural, fresh food diets. I make my kitties their food and my dog's as well. I even did a raw diet with my rats when I had them. Are there crab nutrition guidelines? Anything they can't have? Do they need meat in their diet? Could I use, say, the fruit and veggie puree that I make for my dog/cats and supplement that with things like crushed eggshell, cuttlebone, or meats with ground raw bone? Can they do things like yogurt for the good bacteria?

That's all I can think of for now... sorry this is so long! I'd appreciate any feedback and questions answered. Also, I'd love to see pics of crabitats so I can get some ideas!

[Wai]

Welcome to Hermit Crab Paradise!

Okay, what did you use the tank for previously? Was it for fish or reptiles? It no doubt needs a lot of cleaning and sterilising, but if you can't be bothered and have some money to spend, buy a new tank, if that tank is too small. 10 gallons is the bare minimum in terms of size, if you are planning to have fewer than five hermit crabs. Otherwise, go for 20 gallons or larger. It may seem too big at first, but if you happen to be a person like me, I can never have too much room. I love putting in as many decorations as I can to keep them entertained.

I suggest getting a glass lid. Glass is one of the best substances for keeping in the humidity and heat.

Hermit crabs in the wild rarely live alone, but in massive colonies of hundreds of hermit crabs. Get him a buddy or two. Some even say, the more the merrier. However, if this is your first time in keeping hermit crabs, I strongly suggest you not to keep too many to begin with. I'm not sure about different brands of bottled water, but I use Mount Franklin, available in Australia. They'll need both saline and fresh water. I suggest getting those rockpool dishes. Not only do they look more natural, but they're easy to climb out of. You wouldn't want to risk drowning them, as they're land hermit crabs. To be secure, add some dechlorinator in it. Ones for fish should do the job.

Wood is susceptible to mites. I personally don't have any wood products in mine, but I have seen other people's crabitats having branches. Some of the other members of the forum are more experienced in this field, so I'd too like to hear from them. Table salt can be very nasty, so make sure you don't use it for your salt water. Use natural sea salt instead.

In regards to nutrition, check out our Nutrition forum. A popular rumour is that dairy will kill hermit crabs. Although it seems logical that it will be lethal because hermit crabs aren't exposed to dairy in the wild, but dairy is crab-friendly. Just avoid giving them anything that is very fatty or contains table salt. I haven't tried giving my hermit crabs yoghurt, nor am I sure about the bacteria in it.

Keep us updated on how things go!

[Savage Destiny]

Ah, thank you!

The tank was previously used for my rats. They were originally in a wire cage, but after my cats proved a little more predatory than I expected, I put them in the tank for safety. I can't remember exactly how many gallons it is... I think 20 or 30. It takes two people to lift with litter in it. So I think it should be big enough. I'm definetly willing to clean it. Should I just use water and paper towels?

This is all theoretical at the moment, since I still haven't heard back from the people who are selling him, but I'm trying to make a list of stuff I need to buy/do. The ad says he comes with a salt water mix... should I use that or buy some sea salt? And is there a ratio of sea salt:water I should use? I'm also assuming I should boil all of his current accessories before putting them in the new tank, to keep any icky stuff from getting into the clean environment. I was thinking about getting him two buddies when I stop at PetSmart to get some supplies. If I do, should I bathe them all before putting them in together? I'm assuming that neither the PetSmart crabbies nor the rescue guy are going to be very clean.

This is a lot of information to absorb in a really short period of time! But I don't believe in not knowing as much as I can about any pet I'm getting.

[iluvhermies]

Persoannly in my opion this is now I would handle it. I would say the tank is plenty big that you have. I would clean it out with some vinegar and water and paper towels. Make sure you rinse it well. As for the under tank heaters. It depends on your house and the temps were you are at. Be sure you buy you a heat and humidity gauge. The temp should be no lower than 70*F and no higher than 78*F. Your humidity should be around 70- 80%. The substrate that is the most economical and easiest to get would be playsand. You need to have the sand about 3 inches deeper than your bigger crab buried. It should be kept moist like to build a sandcastle with not soggy. They do need both fresh decholrinized water and salt water. I buy the zoo med hermit crab salt water treatment stuff. I have used this for years and I have had no ill effects from it. The bowls for the water should be deep enough so that your largest can sit and soak in it if they wanted to. I use sponges in mine that way if a smaller one was to fall in they could get out without drowning. I posted a website to look at for the nutrition questions. I have choya wood in my tank and it seems to do well. They also like coconut huts to hide in. I make my own. They can also have the coconut that you scrape out. I would get a couple more hermie buddies. I have 60-70 I am not sure how many any more. I need to do a count. I would give them all a bath in a salt water bath that way if they would have mites the mites would die in the salt bath. Also they would smell similar. Yes the painted shells are harmful as the paint can chip off but soe hermies are picky in that matter. I have some I have had for years who just will not change from those ugly things. Offer they several natural shells. I agree with Wai on the glass lid. Here is a link to my photobucket I have several different set ups for my crabitat and some of my hermies if you want to look at it. http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w120 ... mies_2007/

[Savage Destiny]

I'm pretty certain I'm going to get the little guy. I finally got an e-mail back and I'll probably meet up and take him tomorrow after work or Thursday. All depends on what his current owners want to do. Pretty certain he's mine though.

So far, this is my list of what I have/what they're giving me with him:

Tank
Food (since I'll be making the diet)
Salt water mix
2 extra shells
Coconut hut
2 sponges
2 dishes

What I need:

Water conditioner
More (better) dishes
Playsand/coconut fiber
Humidity gauge
Undertank heater
Heat gauge
Glass top for the tank
More climbing things/hidey holes
Better shells
More hermit crabs

I was thinking of starting with the rescue guy and 2 other crabs. Is 3 a good number to start with? This is my basic plan so far: Get rescue crab. Buy all the stuff I need and the other crabs. Clean out my big tank. Boil all the accessories (new and used) to get any germs off. Set up the tank with clean stuff. Bathe crabbies with some StressCoat bathwater to get rid of any icky stuff and make them smell the same. Put crabbies into their new home!

Is there anything else I should be doing?

[iluvhermies]

I would do the cleaning and set up first if possible. Other wise it sounds great.

[Savage Destiny]

Well here it is! I picked up the rescue crabby last night, who they were calling Sandy. It may change, but it'll do for now. My fiancee and I also adopted 2 crabs from Petco/PetSmart- Solomon came from PetSmart, and Farli from Petco. None of the other crabs we saw would so much as wave an antennae out of the shell. They've all gotten baths, and they're in their new home! Here's pics!



Solomon in the corner and Farli in between the freshwater pool and food dish




Sandy peeking out of the log


Solomon in the bushes


And Riddle giving me a doleful look about paying attention to crabs :lol:


Their thermometer/hydrometer isn't in there yet... its a combination one, and the hydrometer is currently calibrating.

[iluvhermies]

That looks awesome Sandy is in a much better place. BTW I am sure the others are too.

[Wai]

How about putting in some more spare shells for them? I spread mine evenly throughout the crabitat, but some other people prefer putting them all together in the one area.

[Jaci]

they definitely need more shells, if nothing else, they'll be something else for them to climb on lol. anyway, it looks like you have a great area for the hermies to live in. when you get the extra stuff in there, they'll really enjoy it. btw, don't forget that they love some "people food" too. mine love fruit. they also crave the dried blood worms that you usually feed to beta fish. they also eat meat....there's a list of food they like somewhere, but i forget where. iluv and wai, do you remember? it's in the nutrition forum i believe.