Hermit Crab Questions

[MadamPoofyBrow]

I figured I'd use that little house for bringing hermit crab home and that's it. The problem is that we have a couple hours of driving-would it be best to get crab right before leaving and have tank set up before we leave, to minimize stress? Or bring tank with us to delaware? How would that work?

I got mine a couple days before living and kept them in a small cage while we were there (like that one, but bigger since there were eight) and set up the tank once we got home. Would have set it up before leaving, but the crabs weren’t exactly planned...
All that to say, I think you’ll be fine setting up the tank at home and introducing the crab when you get back. He’ll be fine in the small cage for a little while.

 

[DaisyG2317]

Clearly he has excellent taste

Oh yes. Hermit crabs, tadpoles, lizards.

And sea monkeys. That was the big craze in the 60s/70s

 

[black_cat]

I got mine a couple days before living and kept them in a small cage while we were there (like that one, but bigger since there were eight) and set up the tank once we got home. Would have set it up before leaving, but the crabs weren’t exactly planned...
All that to say, I think you’ll be fine setting up the tank at home and introducing the crab when you get back. He’ll be fine in the small cage for a little while.

Maybe living in the bathroom in a small cage to at least help with humidity?

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Maybe living in the bathroom in a small cage to at least help with humidity?

That would probably work great!

 

[black_cat]

That would probably work great!

*To clarify: hermit would live on dresser or desk in a properly heated and humidified tank for real life, bathroom location would be for any time in small cage thingy.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

*To clarify: hermit would live on dresser or desk in a properly heated and humidified tank for real life, bathroom location would be for any time in small cage thingy.

Gotcha. That sounds like a great setup!

 

[black_cat]

Here were my plans for possible setup:
-10 gallon tank
-coconut fiber ('eco earth') substrate, 6 inches deep
-multiple hides
-fake plants
-LED lighting bc my room is poorly lit
-one of those side of tank or under tank heating thingies
-possible second level for them to climb up to
and obviously the required food, water, and shells. I have probably a full year to save up for this so I have a pretty high budget.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Here were my plans for possible setup:
-10 gallon tank
-coconut fiber ('eco earth') substrate, 6 inches deep
-multiple hides
-fake plants
-LED lighting bc my room is poorly lit
-one of those side of tank or under tank heating thingies
-possible second level for them to climb up to
and obviously the required food, water, and shells. I have probably a full year to save up for this so I have a pretty high budget.

That sounds great! Just a tip, mine seemed to prefer the heat on the bottom. I think it heated up the substrate and they liked it.
That’s going to be really nice. Please share pics of your crab or betta when you get them, I love your setup ideas!

 

[black_cat]

That sounds great! Just a tip, mine seemed to prefer the heat on the bottom. I think it heated up the substrate and they liked it.
That’s going to be really nice. Please share pics of your crab or betta when you get them, I love your setup ideas!

I feel a bit more draw toward crabs, but also a fear that I won't be able to keep them alive. I plan everything 814938614 years in advance, (i need to have saving goals and plan exactly when to revisit this idea, and also when to time it so that i can pull of this and baby chicks) so I probably won't be getting anything for a while, but I am doing research now for my scheming planning.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

I feel a bit more draw toward crabs, but also a fear that I won't be able to keep them alive. I plan everything 814938614 years in advance, (i need to have saving goals and plan exactly when to revisit this idea, and also when to time it so that i can pull of this and baby chicks) so I probably won't be getting anything for a while, but I am doing research now for my scheming planning.

That’s a good way to be! I tend to do things on impulse and figure it out afterwards...
Crabs aren’t as popular, but they are a lot of fun! I loved watching mine climb around. And unlike a fish, you can handle them when needed - so that’s nice.