Do not obtain crabs that have a musty smell. This indicates they are overheating. [2] X Research source Crabs that are active and moving about, and do not exhibit any of the above negative qualities, are probably in good health.

Ask what kind of water the crabs have access to. Crabs need both fresh water and salt water, and should have one bowl with each. Crabs that are in tanks with tap water, however, will be slowly poisoned over time. Do not obtain crabs that are housed in tanks with flies and other bugs buzzing about.

Send an email to adoptions@hermitcrabassociation. com expressing your interest in adopting a hermit crab for more information. In your email, include your location and how far you would be willing to travel to obtain your crab.

Hermies can live up to 40 years. Ask yourself if you’re willing to care for your crab that long. Think carefully before purchasing a hermie for a child. Children tend to lose interest quickly in hermit crabs since they have a tendency to hide under their tank’s substrate for weeks at a time.

However, many hermie owners simply rinse their hermies in a quick freshwater bath and add them straight into the main crab population, since isolating a hermit crab in a quarantine tank can have negative effects on your crab’s health. Weigh your options carefully before deciding to quarantine your crab.

If your crabs are immature, be sure to invest in a tank larger than 10 gallons (37. 9 L), since the crabs will grow. Hermit crabs are excellent climbers. Keep a mesh lid on your tank to prevent your hermies from climbing out. This will also prevent gnats, mites, and other bugs from getting in and hurting your crabs.

For instance, if your tallest crab is three inches tall, your substrate should be six to twelve inches deep. All-purpose sand is available at your local hardware store. Coconut fiber might be available at some pet stores, but you can order it easily online. If you wish, you can mix the sand and coconut fiber substrate together. Some hermie owners find that their crabs like this mixture best. Always wet your substrate until it feels like the sand that has just had the tide wash over it. Use a plastic spray bottle to keep the substrate damp. Do not use dry substrate, as this won’t allow your crab to dig, and can dehydrate your crab. Do not use wood chips, gravel, reptile sand, or special hermit crab sand. Additionally, do not use any kind of artificially dyed or chemically treated substrate.

Additionally, the humidity should be at least 70%. Invest in a hygrometer to measure the tank’s humidity levels. If you need to increase your tank’s humidity, just spray the substrate a few times with a water bottle. Check it after 30 minutes or so to see how the humidity level has adjusted. Spray again if necessary. Many hygrometers also have built-in thermometers. Under-tank heaters are available at most pet stores.

Do not feed your crab anything labeled “hermit crab food. ” These pet store mixes do not have the adequate nutritional profile a healthy hermie needs. Other foods to avoid include garlic, onions, citrus fruits and peels, and anything with added sugars, chemicals, iodized salt, and preservatives. Fresh food should be removed every day. Dry food should be removed as needed, but don’t leave it in the tank longer than four days. Food that is still in the tank after four days is probably just not palatable for your crabs.

Distilled or bottled water are the best options for providing your crab with freshwater. If necessary, invest in a dechlorinator. These are usually available at pet stores or home and garden stores. The amount of water you need depends on how many crabs you have. A five to six cup bowl of each type of water should be adequate for two to three small crabs in a 10 gallon tank.

If you obtain a synthetic shell, be sure it is not painted or treated with any chemicals.