Land hermit crabs are one-of-a-kind, playful, and splendidly unusual pets. They conceal their mushy physique inside shells and are able to utterly altering the form and look of their our bodies. In spacious tanks, they thrive on burrowing and climbing and luxuriate in hiding away and getting train inside little caves and huts.
We talked to hermit crab homeowners and fanatics about one of the best ways to nurture their crabs, widespread misconceptions about residing necessities, and proposals for the best crab habitats, or “crabitats.” The best crabitat ought to retain warmth, stop escape, keep the right humidity, and have loads of area in your hermit crabs, their equipment, and their favourite substrate.
Our favourite hermit crab habitat is the ReptiZoo Full Glass 15 Gallon Reptile Tank, which comes with a PVC liner for straightforward cleansing and a intelligent siding display lid, with a separate port for feeding. Nevertheless, in case you are utterly new to hermit crabs, then you definately may need to take a look at the Zoo Med ReptiHabitat Hermit Crab Package as an alternative because it comes with each accent you will must host a hermit crab. We now have a number of different suggestions that may work even higher in your crabitat wants.
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Wholesome dimensions
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Sturdy, with high-quality glass
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Excessive-quality ventilated high to stop escape and for temperature upkeep
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PVC tray to manage substrate moisture
Many of the tanks in the marketplace which are greatest for hermit crabs are primarily marketed as properties for reptiles or amphibians. Whereas it is common to see hermit crabs bought in small plastic terrariums, they supply an insufficient quantity of area in your hermit crab’s optimum well being. Search for an aquarium or terrarium with a minimal 10-gallon capability to make sure that your crab has sufficient area to reside their greatest life.
The ReptiZoo Full Glass 15 Gallon Reptile Tank has a ventilated high with a skinny web display designed to permit for warmth penetration (from an exterior gentle, for instance) and temperature management—excellent for creating the new and humid local weather wherein hermit crabs thrive. The lid additionally has a separate feeding gap, so you do not have to take away your complete lid to entry the tank.
With beneficiant dimensions—20 inches vast, 12 inches deep, and 14 inches excessive—there’s additionally loads of room for hermit crabs to maneuver round, climb on branches and rocks, and dig down into your most popular hermit crab substrate. Whereas the edges aren’t sealed like an aquarium, the tank features a PVC tray on the backside that permits you to management the wetness of the sand and substrate to maintain your crabs comfy.
The ReptiZoo Full Glass Reptile Tank comes packaged as particular person panels which are a cinch to assemble.
Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 14 inches︱Capability: 15 gallons︱Supplies Included: Glass terrarium, sliding and ventilated lid, PVC tray
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Zoo Med makes one of many highest-end—however not prohibitively costly—all-inclusive kits in the marketplace. Most significantly, it has a 10-gallon tank that matches the advisable dimensions for younger (lower than 5 years) and non-oversized hermit crabs. (In case you are attempting to accommodate a major variety of bigger crabs, a 20-gallon aquarium or terrarium will serve your functions higher.) The 20 by 10 by 12-inch design offers sufficient area in your be-shelled mates to roam slightly extra freely.
The terrarium additionally comes with a sliding display high, which is an ideal method of sustaining air circulation inside the crabitat whereas controlling temperature and humidity and never leaving the tank completely uncovered. With the 5-pound white sandbag and a brick of soil, the equipment additionally offers the requisite quantity of substrate in your crab or for crabs to burrow into fortunately. To maintain the sand clear and contemporary, you possibly can bake or rinse and dry it for straightforward reuse.
To maintain your crabitat sanitary and well-balanced with the vitamins hermit crabs want, Zoo Med’s equipment consists of each salt and ingesting water conditioners and mineral blocks. There’s additionally a pleasant portion of crab meals, which could be positioned in an accompanying tree-stump-like small meals and water dish that blends proper into the picturesque habitat. The entire directives about tips on how to use this stuff to maintain your little mates, after all, are lined within the equipment’s accompanying hermit crab care information.
Earlier than you make investments on this cost-effective package deal, observe that could be a starter equipment. The size of the terrarium are the minimal for what’s advisable for a crab tank, designed to deal with 4 hermit crabs which are 1 inch vast or much less, or two to 3 crabs which are 2 inches vast. Ought to they develop extensively, or if you wish to add extra to the household, you’ll must put money into a much bigger house, since typically 10 gallons is the minimal advisable dimension.
Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 12 inches︱Capability: 10 gallons︱Supplies Included: Terrarium, sliding display high, substrate, meals/water dish, meals, mineral block, ingesting water conditioner, salt water conditioner, care information
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Beneficiant dimensions
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20-gallon capability
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LED hood
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Mini-heater
At a barely increased worth level than the ReptiZoo 15-gallon we advisable, hermit crab homeowners can get 5 additional gallons and a few additional room for his or her crabs to maneuver round in. The tank is 24.2 inches lengthy and 12.4 inches vast, offering sufficient area to accommodate a number of hermit crabs.
Designed for fish initially, this Tetra product additionally presents considerably extra high-tech temperature and lighting management choices, coming full with an LED hood and a mini-heater. For hermit crabs, 8 to 12 hours of LED gentle are perfect, and the built-in heater will provide further capability for maintaining humidity and heat at precisely the specified ranges.
Whereas most of the included equipment shall be helpful for a hermit crab habitat, there are a number of included objects that can go to waste, together with a water filter and synthetic aquarium crops—one potential draw back to this equipment.
Dimensions: 24.2 x 12.4 x 16.7 inches︱Capability: 20 gallons︱Supplies Included: Aquarium, LED hood, mini UL heater, water filter, synthetic boxwood plant mat, 4 synthetic crops
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Lee’s Hermit Crab Hideaway comes with a handful of necessities wanted for a hermit crab to thrive whereas on the go. The plastic tank comes collectively rapidly with a ventilated lid full with a high door for straightforward entry to your pet and a deal with for transport.
The straightforward-to-clean equipment comes with a pure sea sponge for watering, a plastic plant, pure gravel, a hut the place your crab can conceal, and a removable evening sky scene. The lid is available in a wide range of colours, however the colour you obtain won’t match the colour pictured on-line.
Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 7.5 inches︱Capability: Not listed︱Supplies Included: Tank, pure sea sponge, plastic plant, pure gravel, hut, evening sky scene
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This price range starter tank possibility distinguishes itself from different comparable choices due to its higher high quality glass and one-piece, center-braced frames—because it’s sturdy sufficient to carry water with out the glass bowing, it is going to be greater than ample for retaining a hermit crab substrate.
It additionally has beneficiant dimensions that can allow crabby roaming at each angle. It’s a horny in addition to sturdy line of aquariums, too, obtainable in a variety of sizes with black or oak trim styling.
The one downside is the shortage of a high, however this may be bought individually.
Dimensions: 20.25 x 10.5 x 12.63 inches︱Capability: 10 gallon︱Supplies Included: Aquarium
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Lid slides for straightforward entry
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Supplies correct amount of air flow
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Magnetic high securely locks in place
The standout characteristic of this totally clear acrylic enclosure is its one-click sliding magnetic lid which makes it straightforward to are inclined to your hermit crab whereas maintaining it securely contained in the roomy habitat. You probably have babies, you will admire the sturdy magnets of the Acrylic Clear-Prime Habitat from HerpCult, which may deter curious arms from lifting open the lid.
The sturdy flat high design means it is stackable. Additionally, air flow holes on the edges of the terrarium guarantee there may be fixed airflow. Notice that the lid can warp below humid circumstances, which may make it difficult to shut.
Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 6 inches︱Capability: 6-10 gallons︱Supplies Included: Enclosure
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In a crabitat, good hideaway huts are generally thought-about a cute accent fairly than a necessity. However given hermit crab’s want for solar safety, they’re vital to any wholesome and functioning crab surroundings, typically a way of a house base and a respite from daylight. Make sure that to put money into a hidey hut or two, a minimum of—they don’t value a lot and they’re the complement to shells that hermit crabs want to keep up consolation and peak well being 24 hours a day.
This three-pack of shady 5×3-inch huts will give your crabs a cushty resting spot. Usually, homeowners construct the huts into a bigger tunnel-like residing area for the crabs or unfold them out of their tank to provide them separate outposts to maneuver between.
Fabricated from coconut conceal, Sungrow’s huts will give your crab tank an important aesthetic, but in addition, the rugged, textured exterior offers an important climbing floor for crabs attempting to get in some train or make full use of their area. It additionally properly creates the look of a hermit crab’s indigenous marine house within the wild.
Dimensions: 5 x 3 inches (every hut)︱Capability: N/A︱Supplies Included: 3 huts
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Easy inside with giant opening
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Two sizes, giant and additional giant
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Pure shells
As a hermit crab outgrows their present shell, it is necessary to supply a brand new bigger shell for them to maneuver into when they’re prepared. The Hermit Crab Progress Shell from Zoo Med is available in assorted colours and kinds which are grouped into two sizes, giant or additional giant. Every pure shell has a big opening with a easy inside to be inviting for a hermit crab.
For the reason that shells are pure, the shells pictured on-line will possible fluctuate from the shells you really obtain. Every shell is bought individually, so that you may need to buy two or extra to provide your hermit crab choices. Plus, the additional shells may also function decor in your tank.
Dimensions: 2 x 4 x 7 inches (giant); 2.5 x 4 x 7.5 inches (x-large)︱Capability: Varies︱Supplies Included: One shell
Closing Verdict
Our greatest total decide is the roomy and thoughtfully designed ReptiZoo Full Glass 15 Gallon Reptile Tank, which offers your hermit crabs with 15 gallons of area and comes with a PVC tray that makes managing substrate straightforward. When you’re searching for an all-in-one equipment that comes with the whole lot you have to house a hermit crab, take a look at the well-designed Zoo Med ReptiHabitat Hermit Crab Package as an alternative. which is maybe essentially the most complete and most secure all-in-one starter equipment for hermit crab homeowners obtainable in the marketplace immediately.
What to Look For in a Hermit Crab Habitat
Tank Dimension
The largest mistake new hermit crab homeowners make shouldn’t be investing in a large enough tank. Many tanks marketed for hermit crabs are insufficient for his or her area wants, particularly in case you plan on internet hosting a number of crabs.
Except our “Finest Moveable” suggestion, we solely recommend merchandise that present a minimum of a 10-gallon capability. That is ample area for as much as 4 very small hermit crabs (an inch vast or much less) or two bigger crabs.
A hermit crab tank requires quite a few equipment that may take up numerous area, together with their meals and water dishes; climbing toys, and hiding huts; plus additional shells for them to think about. Even with all of that included, you will nonetheless need to present open area in your crabitat in your resident crabs to run round.
Since hermit crabs want room to roam, search for a tank that gives 20 inches of size and 10-12 inches of width. It must also be excessive sufficient to accommodate a number of inches of substrate, which is critical as a result of hermit crabs like to burrow and dig little tunnels for themselves. Usually, it is best to have sufficient substrate to cowl your crab’s top, multiplied by three.
Some critical homeowners advocate beginning at 20 gallons to not should put money into one other tank when the crabs develop to a bigger dimension. That being stated, hermit crabs are usually small, starting at roughly a half-inch throughout and progressing to 1 inch over the course of a number of years. It normally takes about 5 years for a normal-sized crab to succeed in the 2-to-3-inch width.
Shell Sort and Dimension
Shells are probably the most essential parts to offer in a crabitat. The shell presents assist for crabs’ mushy abdomens. The inside of the shell additionally controls the extent of moisture for the crab, which permits their gills to perform appropriately and get sufficient air.
It additionally is critical to arrange an excellent number of shells in your hermit crabs to ensure they discover ones they like, and in order that they’ll evolve of their alternative of shells. A part of providing selection isn’t just the general dimension and look of the shells, but in addition providing selection within the dimension of a shell’s opening.
Along with pickiness, crabs could be territorial about their shells. So in case you’re presiding over a tank with two or extra crabs, be sure to’re monitoring their habits and lining the crabitat with sufficient shells for everybody to search out one they love. Crabs will typically battle to keep up possession over the shell wherein they really feel most comfy.
Temperature and Humidity Management
As talked about earlier, temperature management is essential for the well being of a hermit crab. Hermit crabs fare greatest at temperatures round 80 levels, with humidity within the vary of 75 to 80 p.c. This may be achieved by means of use of a ventilated however agency lid on their tank, mixed with both an exterior warmth lamp supply, or a heating machine put in beneath the substrate.
FAQ
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Probably the most important ingredient for a crabitat is a tank—an aquarium or terrarium with the suitable kind of lid—with a minimal capability of 10 gallons. You additionally want an ample assortment of snail shells of various sorts for the crabs to select from and transfer between. The advisable quantity is three to 5 shells per crab, with a wide range of sizes, opening sizes, and kinds. The shells must also be high-quality and totally intact.
It’s additionally essential that your tank has a lid and consists of lights of a heater to manage temperature; most crab specialists advocate a mix of under-tank heaters (UTHs) and lights. The structure of the substrate backside of the crabitat must be silica-based kids’s play sand, coco fiber, or a combination of the 2. (A typically accepted ratio is 5:1.) A sufficiently sized water dish for each salt and contemporary water permits hermit crabs to feed correctly.
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As seen on the checklist above, some first-time hermit crab homeowners go for buying a equipment together with the important elements listed above. Usually, although, these kits don’t create essentially the most reliably wholesome state of affairs for crabs, particularly a number of ones. Subsequently, it normally is extra of a purchasing checklist state of affairs, personalized for the wants of the variety of crabs you need to home, and the scale of the crabs.
The setup course of typically includes tweaking the substrate quantity and ranges, ensuring the crabs have the variety of shells and kinds of shelter wanted, and getting the temperature inside the tank on the degree it must be (normally with the assistance of a heater or lights), and different trial and error processes. It might take a little bit of time to find out the right steadiness.
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You will need to clear your crab’s tank recurrently and comprehensively. For bigger teams of crabs, cleansing might happen extra recurrently; in additional modest conditions, as soon as a month or each few months for a deep clear could be attainable.
There are a selection of duties that must be taken care of just about every day—common-sense-type actions together with cleansing up apparent messes or particles within the sand. The deeper cleans require you to maneuver the crabs to a brief house for a day or two whereas the substrate, shells, toys, and full tank are cleaned and disinfected, by means of boiling and different strategies.
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Hermit crabs molt or shed their exoskeleton as they develop—for many wholesome ones this occurs a minimum of each 18 months. Throughout this course of, additionally they “commerce up” their housing or shell to accommodate their bigger physique dimension.
Why Belief The Spruce Pets?
This text was written by Andrew Whalen, a senior editor for The Spruce Pets. Andrew has examined a whole bunch of pet merchandise and consults with a variety of specialists in making product picks. He has additionally cared for dozens of hermit crabs and has hands-on expertise with the qualities and elements that make for the very best crabitat.