New, have questions

Questions about unexpected problems.
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Crabby
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New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

Hi, someone gave me a couple small hermit crabs, I think they are purple pinchers. They came in one of those tiny critter keepers and had minimal gravel substrate, a wet sponge, and a food bowl.

I know this little tank they are in is too small but I was wondering what is the smallest acceptable size to keep two small hermits in (I'm really short on space is why I need to know the smallest size).

I've already moved them into a bigger tank with deep, damp sand and two wading dishes.

I was also wondering if they can be kept in pesticide-free potting soil instead of sand?

Would the potting soil mold?

Why doesn't the sand mold?

I read something about there being benefits of keeping insects such as rolly polly bugs in the tank with crabs, is this true and how many should I keep in there?
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Re: New, have questions

Post by krabby_katie »

5 gallon probably. 10 gallon would be best. I wouldn't do the potting soil thing, because there's minerals and stuff in it. Don't keep bugs in there! That's not good at all. I don't know why, but they're bad.
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Re: New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

Thanks, how big will they get?
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Re: New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

Hmm, I asked these same questions on another forum and they said yes to put one or two rolly pollies in the tank per crab to help clean up after the crabs.
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Re: New, have questions

Post by Wai »

Just a little tip; try to get aquariums that a relatively tall. Some of the best climbing ornaments for hermit crabs are pretty tall and if the roof of your crabitat isn't much higher up, your hermit crabs may escape.
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Crabby
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Re: New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

Wai wrote:Just a little tip; try to get aquariums that a relatively tall. Some of the best climbing ornaments for hermit crabs are pretty tall and if the roof of your crabitat isn't much higher up, your hermit crabs may escape.
I dont think they can raise the screen top?
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Re: New, have questions

Post by PhoEniX212 »

Is the top either heavy or clipped on? If not, they could raise it, they are extremely strong for their size
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Re: New, have questions

Post by hermiesrokmysox »

i have caught my crabs lifting up the glass lid over my tank (its a 20L).

welcome to HCP! :D
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Re: New, have questions

Post by Crabby »

hermiesrokmysox wrote:i have caught my crabs lifting up the glass lid over my tank (its a 20L).

welcome to HCP! :D

wow..... right now they are in a short acrylic tank that has the floor space of a 10 gallon but only half as tall. I'm going to move them into a glass tank today. I'll be sure to arrange it so they can't reach the top XD
(I had no idea they were THAT strong.... thats like ant strong....
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Re: New, have questions

Post by HermieLove19 »

mine enjoy climbing upside down on the screen lid but have never tried to escape from it. theyre too tiny right now. i can definetly see a larger crab getting out of the lid isnt held on with clips.
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