New here...need some advice regarding hermit crabs...

hollymamma · 11/16/2009, 02:21 PM

Hello! My name is Holly and our family recently went to Sanibel Island for a few days. We collected tons of beautiful shells. Well, when we got home and I started going through our shells...we had a few friends that came home with us. We have 4 tiny (1/8 inch) snails, one small marine hermit crab (white legs and body) and, one tiny (1/8 inch across the shell) fiddler-type crab. It's hard to tell what kind of crab he is because he is so small and most of the time lives inside one of the shells I have in our bowl of Instant Ocean.

Now, I didn't think these little guys would live...but, I wanted to give them a chance. So, I went to our local marine aquarium store and bought Instant Ocean and decided just to change the water every few days as it got cloudy. Miraculously, everything seems to be doing very well. In fact, both crabs have molted! I'm glad I used to have land hermit crabs...or, I would have thought the little guys had died!

Anyway, I have decided to keep them in a little tank. I have no intention of adding fish. I would like some advice as to what I need...such as live rock, type of food. I realize these are scavengers. I have been feeding them two pieces of ciclid food every few days. A local pet store suggested buying frozen brine shrimp and giving a tiny amount of that once or twice a week.

I'd appreciate any help you can give. We homeschool...so, my children are very interested in keeping them and learning more about our little friends.

Thank you!
~Holly

Butterz · 11/16/2009, 02:27 PM

You can throw in a piece of live rock if you'd like. But since your bioload is so extremely low. The choice is yours.

How big of a tank or bowl do you have for them?

hollymamma · 11/16/2009, 02:53 PM

Right now, they are just in a small, glass bowl...4 inches across..with some shells to climb on! I do have a little sand from the beach that I got out of the shells...but, I know I will need more when I get the tank. The marine aquarium store where I first went told me that a small, 2-gallon tank would be "way" sufficient for these little critters. They suggested the Marineland Eclipse Explorer 2 Aquarium kit since it has a bio-wheel filter, light, etc. all included. Unfortunately, they didn't have one at the time. So, I've ordered one and it should be here within the week. They said they would sell me more sand and live rock if I wanted a small piece.

Also, I'm wondering if I can get another tiny hermit crab since I have so few critters. I do know crabs can fight...so, I don't want cause an problems.

~Holly

shereth · 11/16/2009, 03:09 PM

Small hermit crabs should be available at just about any LFS - mine always has them in large quantities and pretty cheap, too. As with any wildlife their behavior will not be completely predictable, but generally they won't go on a killing spree unless they are competing for shells, so make sure you give them plenty of empty shells to grow in to.

hollymamma · 11/16/2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shereth

Small hermit crabs should be available at just about any LFS - mine always has them in large quantities and pretty cheap, too. As with any wildlife their behavior will not be completely predictable, but generally they won't go on a killing spree unless they are competing for shells, so make sure you give them plenty of empty shells to grow in to.

Thanks! I have plenty of shells!!
~Holly

hollymamma · 11/16/2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shereth

Small hermit crabs should be available at just about any LFS - mine always has them in large quantities and pretty cheap, too. As with any wildlife their behavior will not be completely predictable, but generally they won't go on a killing spree unless they are competing for shells, so make sure you give them plenty of empty shells to grow in to.

Thanks! I have plenty of shells!!
~Holly

hollymamma · 11/17/2009, 10:00 AM

When I had land hermit crabs...they needed a source of calcium. Do marine crabs have any nutritional needs?

How often should I do a partial water change? How much water should be changed for a small, 2-gallon tank?

Any more help?

Thanks!
~Holly

11/16/2009, 02:21 PM	#1
hollymamma Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	New here...need some advice regarding hermit crabs... Hello! My name is Holly and our family recently went to Sanibel Island for a few days. We collected tons of beautiful shells. Well, when we got home and I started going through our shells...we had a few friends that came home with us. We have 4 tiny (1/8 inch) snails, one small marine hermit crab (white legs and body) and, one tiny (1/8 inch across the shell) fiddler-type crab. It's hard to tell what kind of crab he is because he is so small and most of the time lives inside one of the shells I have in our bowl of Instant Ocean. Now, I didn't think these little guys would live...but, I wanted to give them a chance. So, I went to our local marine aquarium store and bought Instant Ocean and decided just to change the water every few days as it got cloudy. Miraculously, everything seems to be doing very well. In fact, both crabs have molted! I'm glad I used to have land hermit crabs...or, I would have thought the little guys had died! Anyway, I have decided to keep them in a little tank. I have no intention of adding fish. I would like some advice as to what I need...such as live rock, type of food. I realize these are scavengers. I have been feeding them two pieces of ciclid food every few days. A local pet store suggested buying frozen brine shrimp and giving a tiny amount of that once or twice a week. I'd appreciate any help you can give. We homeschool...so, my children are very interested in keeping them and learning more about our little friends. Thank you! ~Holly

11/17/2009, 10:00 AM	#7
hollymamma Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	Anything else? When I had land hermit crabs...they needed a source of calcium. Do marine crabs have any nutritional needs? How often should I do a partial water change? How much water should be changed for a small, 2-gallon tank? Any more help? Thanks! ~Holly

11/16/2009, 02:27 PM	#2
Butterz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 174	You can throw in a piece of live rock if you'd like. But since your bioload is so extremely low. The choice is yours. How big of a tank or bowl do you have for them?

11/16/2009, 02:53 PM	#3
hollymamma Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	Right now, they are just in a small, glass bowl...4 inches across..with some shells to climb on! I do have a little sand from the beach that I got out of the shells...but, I know I will need more when I get the tank. The marine aquarium store where I first went told me that a small, 2-gallon tank would be "way" sufficient for these little critters. They suggested the Marineland Eclipse Explorer 2 Aquarium kit since it has a bio-wheel filter, light, etc. all included. Unfortunately, they didn't have one at the time. So, I've ordered one and it should be here within the week. They said they would sell me more sand and live rock if I wanted a small piece. Also, I'm wondering if I can get another tiny hermit crab since I have so few critters. I do know crabs can fight...so, I don't want cause an problems. ~Holly

11/16/2009, 03:09 PM	#4
shereth Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Laveen, AZ Posts: 73	Small hermit crabs should be available at just about any LFS - mine always has them in large quantities and pretty cheap, too. As with any wildlife their behavior will not be completely predictable, but generally they won't go on a killing spree unless they are competing for shells, so make sure you give them plenty of empty shells to grow in to.