Hermit Crabs?

[BettaMiah]

Hi guys long story short tomorrow two hermies will be coming to love with me. I have a tank and most supplies picked out but how do I care for them? XD

[dmuddle]

I love hermit crabs, I have 2. They need dechlorinated drinking and bathing water, salted water for the bathing and fresh for the drinking. They eat vegies and stuff but mine love fish pellets. They love to climb! Make sure there is enough sand to cover the crabs completely for moulting and there needs to be plenty of shells. IF one dies get another one quickly because they stress and get lonely. They will walk naked when this happens and will lose legs then die. Make sure the water is dechlorinated otherwise there gills will blister and they will suffocate (yes these are land crabs that have gills). Also it is extremely rare for them to breed in captivity so you dont have to worry about mating. Good luck.

[Olympia]

Most people say to stay away from prepared crab pellets and to just feed a range of fresh foods. Like dmuddle said, it is VITAL that they have two dishes, one for salt water and one for fresh.. They slowly wither away without access to salt water. You can buy prepared bottles of "hermit crab" salt water, or just buy marine salt and mix it yourself, which would be cheaper in the long run.

[dmuddle]

Yes, it all depends on the easiest solution to you. Table salt won't work, so don't attempt to use it.

[kfryman]

Just curious, does Aquarium salt work? Or do you need special the special marine salt? I wouldn't mind getting some, though my mom wouldn't allow it lol.

[LionCalie]

I just found this website that explains every aspect of their care. Very helpful!

http://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html

[BettaMiah]

Thank you all! Yes, I have two bowls set up for them, salt and fresh, both with sponges. I also have a seashell with their food in it. Does anyone know of some fresh foods I can give them? Like veggies perhaps?

[Olympia]

I'd always feed shredded carrots. Go for as much variety as possible, a hermit would prefer a new food every day of it's life, studies show they will always go for something they've never tasted.
This forum has huge lists of safe and unsafe foods :)
http://epicurean-hermit.com/forum/fo...play.php?fid=9

[BettaMiah]

Yep I am giving them that, and I found a recipe for awesome healthy food!

[joyfish]

I hope to remember this thread IF my grand daughter ever gets another hermit crab. I hope if she does, she keeps it at her house like she usually does. sniff, sniff I don't like their smell, LOL. Probably g.d.'s lack of housekeeping