Hermit Crab Care For Sheet

 

Hermit Crab Facts:

Average adult size: 2 to 6 inches long, depending on species

Average life span: 10+ years with proper care, depending on species

Diet: omnivore

Will reach adult size in 2 years, depending on species and under ideal conditions; upgrade habitat size as your grows.

Housing:

# 10 gallon terrarium (minimum) is recommended for adult Hermit Crabs.

# Provide climbing decor and hiding areas. New shells should be a bit bigger than the current shell.

# Maintain 70-80% humidity by misting daily as needed (required to keep gills moist, prevent dehydration and ease molting). Bromeliads and Spider plants are recommended for the habitat.

# Mix sand with a mulch type substrate such as coconut fiber or forest bedding so it's at least 3 inches deep. Can also include moss.

# Temperature should be between 70 and 80 degrees Celsius with an under-tank heater as heat source.

# Provide lighting for 10-12 hours per day.

# Keep two shallow dishes of water in the habitat at all times: one with fresh, de-chlorinated water and one with salt water. The water should not be any deeper than ¬Ω inch; any deeper and your Hermit Crab could drown. A sponge can be placed in the dish to help your Hermit Crab climb in and out. The sponge should be changed regularly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

# Hermit Crabs are social and do well in groups but can be housed individually. Do not house different invertebrate species together.

Feeding:

Things to remember when feeding your Hermit Crab:

# Fresh, clean, chlorine-free water should be available at all times. They may not drink from a bowl but will rely on plants or sponges for moisture.

# Crush all pelleted foods before feeding and feed at night.

# Hermit Crabs appreciate variety in their diet.

Diet:

# High-quality Hermit Crab food and treats.

# Supplement diet with vegetables (spinach, carrots and romaine lettuce) and non-citrus fruits (mangos, banana peels, coconut and papaya) as treats.

# Nuts, seaweed, brine shrimp and fish flakes can also be offered as treats.

# Provide carotene and calcium supplements (such as cuttlebone).

Normal Behaviour:

Hermit Crabs usually molt once or twice a year by burying themselves in the sand. Don't disturb the process as the crab is very fragile. Protect the molting crab by placing a divider in the tank or moving the other crabs to another tank. Ensure proper humidity.

Habitat Maintenance:

Thoroughly clean the habitat at least once a week: place Hermit Crab in a secure habitat; scrub the tank and furnishings with a 3% bleach solution; rinse thoroughly with water, removing all traces of bleach smell. Dry the tank and furnishings completely and add clean Substrate.

Grooming & Hygiene:

Bathe Hermit Crabs every week in a non-metal container with a little lukewarm, fresh, de-chlorinated water. Keep water level low and immerse the crab upside down and let it right itself or put the crab in the Container and let it walk around. When the bath is done, remove the crab, drain the water out of the shell and place in a secure container with paper towels to dry off. Don't put a wet crab back into the habitat as the substrate will stick to it.

Common Health Issues:

Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action. Mites appear in the habitat or directly on the crab. Completely clean habitat, replace substrate and bathe crab in lukewarm water. Ensure no mites are visible on the crab before returning to clean habitat.

The above information is only meant as a guide, and you should not hesitate to contact our helpful staff if you have any concerns. Info above does not replace your vet advice.