The Basics of Hermit Crab Care

Hermit crabs are not exactly the low-maintenance pets they are often mistaken to be. In fact they require much more attention than most small animals. But this doesn't make them any less wonderful, in fact it makes them that much more rewarding. When bringing hermit crabs into your home, the first thing you need to realize is the fact that they are wild animals. Almost all hermit crabs sold in pet stores were taken from their wild habitat. As you can imagine this is very stressful. Through the entire process many hermit crabs pass away. Contrary to popular belief hermit crabs are not hardy animals and they are very susceptible to their environment. In order to live their full lifespan they need to be in an environment that closely imitates their natural surroundings. As their owner it is your responsibility to create the best possible life for your little creatures. And this is done by creating the best possible habitat.

The Absolute Necessities

Heat: In the wild hermit crabs reside in an area that has a relatively steady temperature near 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The best investment you can make on behalf of your hermit crab is a heater for their tank or terrarium as well as a temperature gauge. Around 78 degrees is adequate for most species of hermit crabs. Most heaters are very easy to use and stick to the side of the glass or slide underneath the terrarium. Use the thermometer to monitor the temperature and try to keep a steady warmth between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. This will most closely match their natural environment.

Humidity: Although they have the name 'land hermit crabs', they do not breathe with lungs. Hermit crabs have modified gills that allow them to breathe air. But in order for that air to properly be processed by their body it needs humidity- or water. And so your tank should have enough water in the air to make it compatible with your hermit crabs breathing cycle. How is this achieved? Many ways. You can purchase a humidifier or fogger for your aquarium in the reptile section of your local pet store. You could purchase an air pump and bubbler from the aquarium section of your local pet store and have the air flow into a pool of water. Or you can simply add sponges to your tank and mist it with a spray bottle. The humidity should stay around 80 percent. A humidity gauge will help you monitor. You can learn more about creating proper humidity by reading the 'Keeping Your Crabitat Humid' article.

Sand/Coconut Substrate: Hermit crabs are diggers by nature. Sand is a natural particle that is absolutely beneficial to a hermit crabs well being. Sand can also be substituted with coconut substrate, both of which can be found at your local pet store. Under no circumstances should a hermit crab habitat be set up with gravel, potting soil, or gel. These are just not compatible with a hermit crabs natural behavior. And potting soil often has harmful additives that could have fatal effects. Sand or coconut substrate should be deep enough for your largest hermit crab to burrow completely under and cover his entire shell.

Shells: Hermit crabs do not grow their own shells. So as a hermit crab grows, naturally it needs to change from a smaller shell to a larger one. That's why hermit crabs need a selection of shells in their habitat ranging in sizes a bit larger to a bit smaller than the one it has currently made home. A variety of different kinds is best, as each hermit crab has it's own taste and will likely prefer a different style of shell than the other hermit crabs. Natural unpainted shells are highly recommended. Painted shells are often stricken with toxins from the paint that could be fatal to a hermit crab. Shells should have circular openings with smooth edges and be free of cracks or chips. Visit our article 'The Right Shell Check List' before you buy to get the break-down on buying the perfect shell selection.

Proper Food: Feeding hermit crabs can be a really fun experience, and experimenting with different foods is a great way to keep your crabs entertained. There are many commercial hermit crab foods on the market today. On the other hand, they aren't necessary. Hermit crabs are scavengers by nature and lovers of variety. Well-washed fresh fruits, vegetables, and unseasoned fish, poultry, and red meat are the best things to feed your hermit crabs. Avoid seasonings, pesticides, dairy, sugars, and pre-packaged foods. All-natural fresh foods are best. Bits of raw fish and cuts of vegetables and fruits will keep hermit crabs healthy and happy for years to come. To read about the ideal hermit crab diet read 'The Hermit Crab Diet' article here on Hermit Crab Cottage.

Saltwater: Hermit crabs are ocean dwellers, and naturally their bodies need a proper mixture of fresh and saltwater. You can purchase aquarium salt at a pet store and use the amount recommended for shrimp. Offer a bowl of saltwater deep enough for your largest hermit crab to fully submerge in. Make sure there is a way for your hermit crabs to climb out, for if they get stuck in the bowl they could easily drown. Although a drowning hermit crab is a rarity, they can survive under water for prolong periods, it's still best to provide proper access to land from the bowl of water. Never use table salt in an attempt to create saltwater for your hermit crabs!

Freshwater: Hermit crabs drink freshwater- just like humans! The freshwater provided for your hermit crabs should be relatively the same as saltwater. The bowl should be deep enough for the largest hermit crab to fully submerge with proper ways for the hermit crabs to climb out. Do not use chlorinated water, instead invest in a bottle of all-natural spring water. Even minuscule amounts of chlorine can be fatal to a hermit crab.

Friends: Yes, friends. Hermit crabs are social little creatures and would not be happy by themselves. Having a friend, if not more, is an absolutely necessity. No little hermit crab should be left alone. Let them have their own little family- or better yet a little colony!

The Hermit Crab Diet

Unfortunately, modern science still hasn't allowed humans to create a commercial food that perfects a hermit crabs needed nutrition. In fact, we lack common knowledge on what exactly a hermit crab needs in order to be healthy and survive. If we look to their natural diet we may be able to find tips into what exactly makes the perfect meal for a hermit crab.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Fish: In the wild hermit crabs will forage beaches for almost anything they can find- most commonly dead fish. Shrimp exo-skeletons, salmon, cod, halibut, whitefish, and lobster exo-skeletons are just a few examples of fishy sorts of foods that should be fed to your crabs.

Fruit: The tropical environments that hermit crabs reside offer a huge variety of fruits. Naturally hermit crabs will eat any fallen fruit, and they have a sweet tooth that seems to adore all kinds of fruits. Grapefruit, coconut, pineapple, kiwi, banana, and papaya are fruits that could be found in most tropical environments. So naturally, they make healthy treats for hermit crabs.

Sea Plants: Once again we go back to hermit crabs ravaging the beach. Things such as seaweed, kelp, and algae tend to make their way into the mouths of all hermit crabs. These things aren't always readily available. If they are- they most definitely should be offered. If they aren't you can supplement these 'greens' with things like loose-leaf lettuce, celery tops, carrot tops, and maple leaves.

Ocean Minerals: The sands on the beach have hundreds of tiny particles too minuscule for people to notice, but that doesn't mean hermit crabs don't notice. In particularly is calcium- a necessity hermit crabs need in order to grow and continue to be healthy. Unfortunately the same foods humans use to get calcium are not safe for crabs. A cuttlebone is most definitely the best way to supplement calcium in a crabs diet. All cuttlebones are the same. The flavorless ones are safest. Ones for birds, turtles, and hermit crabs are all the same. Any will work safely for your crabs, and one should always be offered.


Our commercial food recommendation is Eco Animal Pet Product's 'Wholesome Hermit Crab Food' which covers all researched dietary needs and can be found on Amazon. 

What Should I Do With A Molting Hermit Crab?

As a crab owner, by far one of the most stressful events to go through is a molt. So first, take a deep breath, this is a completely natural part of a hermit crabs life and with proper care your hermit crab will come up even healthier and happier before. The key sign to an upcoming molt is your crab digging underneath the sand and remaining there for a few days without coming above ground. Most likely the molt has already begun. NEVER under any circumstances try to move a crab that is already molting. At such a sensitive time, moving your crab could severely hurt it.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

So what can you do then? Well, first of all, just be patient. It's not necessary to be a doctor to your crab as it goes through this phase, but there are a few things you can do to ease them through the process.

Keep the sand moist: During this time your hermit crab's body is going to be beneath the sand. At this time it's body is going to be very tender and even more susceptible to dryness. Avoid your hermit crab 'drying up' by keep the sand damp (not soaking wet or flooding, but just of a usual 'sand-castle' consistency.

Leave the tunnel open and untouched: Do not attempt to 'bury your crab' or make it more comfortable. Try to leave the tunnel open so there is a consistent air flow to the crab. If you want to discourage other crabs in the habitat from entering the hole you can slip a plastic cup on top of the hole.

Have cuttlebones and fresh food available: At some point in time your crab is going to rise again. Be prepared! It's going to be hungry, so always keep fresh food available. A cuttlebone will help them regain their necessary minerals. Combined, both will lead to a quicker recovery.

Keep the humidity up: If your humidity is usually low, now is an especially important time to try to keep it higher. Keep it around 80% for the most comfortable molting environment for your crab. Above 80% wouldn't hurt either, but may cause mold to grow quicker. 80 % is ideal.

Regulate the heat: Just as with the humidity, fluctuations in heat will effect your crab more severely when they are molting as opposed to any other time. Try to keep the temperature around 78 degrees Fahrenheit for the most comfortable environment.

Have extra shells ready: Molting is the process your hermit crab goes through as it grows bigger. It may just move right back into it's other comfy shell, but it may also come out feeling like it's time to move into something different. You should always have shells available, but now is a time that they are even more important to keep in stock.

Don't remove the exo-skeleton (left-over skin of a molted crab): So many people think that the exo-skeleton should be removed from the crabitat to prevent mold. This is absolutely not true. The exo-skeleton should absolutely be kept in the aquarium. Your newly molted crab will eat it to regain lost nutritions that will help him grow his new exo-skeleton.

Let your crab 'harden up': After a molt your crab will be weak and need time to rest, eat, and rebuild it's energy. Give it a few weeks before handling it, just to ensure it's nice and healthy.

Preparing For The Molt

Okay, so your hermit crab is acting sluggish, eating more or less than usual, and it's eyes are foggy. For reptiles, this would mean a hibernation period is coming. For hermit crabs it means a molt is coming. So what can you do to prepare for the upcoming molt? 

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Move Your Crab to a 'Molting Tank': Although this isn't necessary, to prevent other crabs from bothering their molting friend you can move your 'sluggish' crab into a separate molting tank. If your crab has already begun to molt do not move it, handling it at this time could be fatal.

What should a 'Molting Tank' have? First, and foremost, go extra on the sand. While molting your crab is going to dig dig dig, and it should have plenty of room to do so. Keep the sand moist and make sure there is plenty. The rule of thumb is: If you think you've put in enough, add two extra handfuls (for more details on how much sand to add to a crabitat read our article on setting up a proper crabitat). Other than that, your tank should include all of the normal traits of a crabitat: saltwater, freshwater, extra shells, food, and a little hiding hut.

Best place for a 'Molting Tank': A dark bedroom, roomy closet, shadowy corner of the house, or a dark colored book shelf that faces away from a window. At this time your crab is going to crawl under ground. Light isn't necessary at this point in time, but completely darkness isn't necessarily ideal either. Just keep the tank in a dim-lit part of the house.

What should I feed a molting crab? You don't need to change up your diet, but do give your crab more options of high-protein foods like fish, lobster shells, shrimp, and eggs. You should also have a cuttlebone or calcium supplement available at this time.

Be patient: It will take a while for your crab to molt. Be kind, be patient, and take a deep breath. Let it get through this on its own. Yes, it's stressful for both of you. But your little buddy was made to handle this situation and with your kind wishes can make it through just fine.

The Right Shell Check List For Hermit Crabs

Buying shells for your hermit crabs shouldn't be nearly as complicated as it sometimes is. Most pet stores offer a small selection of 'stereotypical' shells, but these shells most certainly don't fit every hermit crabs size or taste. It's extremely important to offer a variety of shells for your crab to 'try on'. So what are the basic things you need to look for when buying shells for your crabs? We've created a simple check-list to ensure that you find shells that are just right.

Size: Buy shells that have openings that are slightly larger and smaller than the one your hermit crab is in now. It's best to have 3 to 4 shells varying different sizes. The best way to go is buy one that is 'a bit smaller', one that is 'about the same', one that is 'a bit bigger', and one that is 'a little bit more bigger'. As your crab grows, obviously you will need to expand the collection to fit its needs.

Opening: Most hermit crabs prefer openings that are shaped like an O or D. Ecuadorians are a bit more picky and sometimes prefer more of a V shape to their opening. The most important thing is to make sure that the opening is smooth- not jagged. Rub your finger along the inside to check for any bumps or points that may hurt your crabs abdomen as it moves. Any shells that don't feel or look smooth on the inside should be avoided.

Color: Naturally colored shells are highly recommended. Avoid any painted or oddly bright colored shells. Hermit crabs like to feel camouflaged and brightly colored shells most certainly don't do that.

Shape: You want a shell that has a curl to it. Hermit crabs bodies naturally curve to fit the inside of a shell. So in order for a crab to be comfortable in its shell it will need to have a rounded inside that will allow the hermit crabs abdomen to conform to it.

Variety: There are all kinds of different shells out there. The usual pet-store hermit crab shells aren't always the best option. Explore craft shops, fairs, and other places that may sell natural seashells. Most likely they will be more affordable and more hermit-crab-friendly than the pet store ones anyways. Collect a bunch of different kinds and let your hermit crabs decide for themselves which one is right.

Quality: Hermit crabs are pretty picky creatures. If you had to wear the same outfit every day wouldn't you make sure it was comfortable too? Absolutely avoid shells that are cracked, chipped, broken, or in any way altered. You want your hermit crab to feel protected and safe in its shell, so give it a shell that it can easily feel that way in.

Welcoming Home Your New Hermit Crab

Congratulations on bringing a new hermit crab into your home! So what do you need to know about introducing your new crab into its new crabitat? First and foremost, before going 'crab shopping' at your local pet shop, set up a proper crabitat for your hermit crab to come home to. There are a lot of articles on this website with great information on setting up your starter crabitat.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

So you have your habitat set up and ready to go already? Well, then it's now time to head to the pet shop. Unfortunately, most pet stores do not properly take care of their hermit crab selection. Often times these little creatures are just as neglected as the fish. So bringing a crab home is often a very stressful experience for your new pet. Look for a crab that is active and healthy. The healthier the crab appears in the pet store, the better chance it has of surviving once you get it home.
Note: If you are purchasing online we highly recommend to order from a reputable source. Avoid websites like eBay and pet classifieds where people may be selling animals that were illegally harvested and not properly cared for.

On the way home keep your hermit crab in a small container. A plastic container with a damp towel would work just fine. Cover the container with a lid with holes in it to keep in humidity and prevent your crab from climbing out. Poke holes in the lid to keep fresh air circulating. The towel will help cushion your crab during bumps while driving. Most likely it will stay snug in its shell for the ride.

Once your hermit crab is home, carefully pick it up and place it into your crabitat. The shell opening should be facing down into the sand. Monitor the heat and humidity of your aquarium to keep your new crab as comfortable as possible. Avoid putting it in really bright light where it may feel exposed and vulnerable. Instead keep it in a shaded area and let it rest for the remainder of the day.

For the first few weeks let your hermit crab rest and 'recoop'. Keep the cage clean, in a quiet part of the home, and with proper heat and humidity. Your hermit crab may dig under the sand and stay there for a while. Don't worry, it's merely resting. If it becomes active and lively, congratulations you have a happy healthy hermit crab that is very outgoing! If it doesn't, let it rest. Remember that the past few months of its life have been very stressful. It may take up to 2 months for your crab to adjust and become comfortable in it's new surroundings. Never assume your hermit crab is dead until a very strong fishy odor begins to come from the tank. Some hermit crabs are more timid than others. Let your hermit crab 'come out of it's shell' (no pun intended) at its own pace. As long as you provide it with a nice little place to make home, it will become more outgoing and comfortable with time.

The Before-You-Buy Hermit Crab Check List

As a quick tips sheet to remind you what to get before you buy a hermit crab, we've created a simple check list of what you need before you bring those little critters into your home:

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Terrarium
Sand or Coconut Substrate
Heater
Thermometer
Humidity Gauge
Shells of Different Sizes
Food Bowl
Saltwater Dish
Freshwater Dish
Aquarium Salt
Dechlorinated Freshwater
Climbing Toys and Objects to Hide Under
Cuttlebone
Sponges
Spray Bottle
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Hermit Crab Food

How To Clean Your Crabitat

So your little crabs have been spoiled with all sorts of fish, fruits, and other things that like to rot and smell? Not to mention the fact your terrarium is warm and humid- which means that smell starts even faster. Keeping your crabitat clean prevents odors and keeps your little guys happy and healthy. So we've created a step-by-step tip sheet on how to clean your terrarium. You should repeat this process twice a month to keep your crabitat as clean as possible.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Step One: Move your crabbies to a 'play pen'. Your playpen should be a safe large bowl or terrarium that they can temporarily play in without climbing out or finding themselves in dangerous positions. Do not let your hermit crabs run unsupervised around your home! They move much faster than most people realize they do.

Step Two: Remove all plastic and glass decorations, food dishes, and plants. Take any plastic or glass objects and set them in boiling hot water for two minutes. Take any live plants and wipe them off with a damp cloth. Once your other objects have been pulled out of the boiling hot water wipe them down with a cloth as well to remove anything that may be contaminating them. Let them dry completely.

Step Three: Remove any other decoration objects from your crabitat. For cloth nets, pieces of driftwood, and coconut shells wipe with a cloth soaked in boiling hot water. Do not soak these objects in water! This can cause them to rot faster. After you have wiped them away set them in a cool airy place to dry completely.

Step Four: Clean the sand. This may be the hardest part of cleaning your crabitat. First you should take a small scoop and take out any parts of your sand that seem to have lots of rotting materials. Those scoops of sands should be disposed of. Then remove the first layer of sand and dispose of it as well. Now grab a large oven-safe pan from your kitchen and put the remaining sand from your terrarium into the pan. Bake your sand in an oven at 250 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes (until it's completely dry). This will help sterilize the sand.

Step Five: Now it's time to clean the terrarium. Grab some cloth rags (the softer the better) and a tub of hot to warm water. You don't want the water to be boiling hot- just as warm as your hands can stand it. Then dampen a bit of rag and scrub down the inside of your terrarium. Remove any marks, stains, or things that just don't belong on the side of a clean terrarium. Once you've cleaned out the entire thing, wipe down again with a dry rag, This will help catch any last little things you may have missed with a damp cloth.

Step Six: Once your sand has cooled off, pour it back into the aquarium. And then redesign your crabitat. Changing up your crabitat and cleaning it twice a month will keep your pets active and lively. By switching ornaments around and adding new and different activities you give your crabs the chance to explore a new area. Keeping their lives full of exciting, clean, new things is a great way to keep your little friends happy and healthy for years to come.

6 Easy Steps For Keeping A Clean Crabitat

Boil Sponges: This is a quick and easy step you can do at least once a week. Simply place a cup of water in your microwave, and microwave it on high for 2 minutes. Remove from the microwave and place your sponges into the boiling water. Let sit for 60 seconds, remove, and let cool for 15 minutes. Then return the sponges to the habitat!

Clean Food Dishes: It's easy- every time you pull a food dish out of the tank, simply wipe it down with a hot rag, or save an old tooth brush and use it to scrub anything that might be stuck onto the sides. It will help keep mold from growing on old particles of leftover food.

Clean Water Dishes: This is especially important for the saltwater dish. In order to make sure that the salt-to-water-ratio is always right you should change out the water every day. And naturally fresh drinking water should be changed out just as often. Just changing out the waters should keep these dishes clean.

Wipe Down The Sides: If you wake up in the morning and see that your little creatures were very active last night, then it might be time to scrub down the sides. If there is sand sprayed up and little dirty claw prints all over, just take a wet cloth and quickly wipe off the sides. It's quick, easy, simple, and will keep your crabitat looking nice.

Scoop Out Old Food: The morning after feeding your little darlings, take a plastic spoon and scoop out any clumps of old food- especially pieces of meat and fish. Although your pets may be storing them away for later, it's best to avoid food rot and just give them something new to preoccupy them instead of allowing them to keep pieces of leftovers in a warm humid environment.

Be An Interior Designer: Redecorate your crabitat! It's fun to move around ornaments and create little new activities for your crabbies. And when you redecorate, naturally you clean up a little too. You get to wipe off any plants, nets, and plastic pieces. It's a great way to keep you motivated, your crabitat clean, and your pets excited about exploring!