So what essentials do you need to keep your hermit crab healthy & happy?

Here's our hermit crab checklist of essentials for looking after your hermit crab:

  • A friend - Hermit crabs are social so getting a friend (or three) will keep your crab(s) happy.
  • Glass aquarium or terrarium - you'll need this to keep your crab in a warm and humid environment. Plastic or wire cages are too small and you won't be able to control the warmth or humidity.
  • Light/Heat - low wattage (15-25W) lighting including incandescent moon- or night-glow bulbs or under-tank heater for heat
  • Substrate - clean sand (use aquarium sand) or compressed coconut fiber as a substrate, at least twice as deep as your largest crab, and kept moist. Crabs need to bury themselves to molt and relieve stress, and also for fun.
  • Extra shells - at least 2 of each size needed by your crabs, with round or oval openings the same size as the big pincher - to allow them to grow up, have fun shell-shopping, and to prevent shell fights.
  • Food dish  - and food - choose a small, shallow food dish and fill with special hermit crabs pellets or cookies.  If you buy a good food that is specially made for your hermit crab you shouldn't need to add other supplements.
  • Water bowls x 2 - one for freshwater and one for saltwater.  Get shallow dishes or else place a small sea sponge in the bowl (so smaller crabs don't drown).
  • Water dechlorinator - tap water must be treated to remove chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals.  A drop or two of water dechlorinator added to the tap water will do the trick.
  • Salt - use marine salt (or special hermit crab salt).  Do not use table salt; the iodine in it is harmful to crabs.
  • Climbing toys & foilage - such as driftwood, plastic aquarium plants, wicker baskets, fish tank ornaments etc.
  • Hiding shelters - such as half-logs, caves, and coco-huts (they need a place to feel safe and relieve stress).
  • Water spray bottle - a great way to help keep their environment humid.  Make sure the water has been dechlorinated first.

If you're ever not sure and need some advice - feel free to drop us an email or give us a call - we're here to help !