Hosuing Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are easy to house. They will need a fairly large tank, something where they will be able to easily walk around, and have a quick run if they have some excess energy spurts. The best size enclosure is anything from 10 gallons up...this provides enough room for the crab to take part in its usual activites.

The tank must have a layer of substrate, which the crab will spend its life sat upon. There are various substrates people use, however, it has to be something that will not prove a lot of work to clean, or replace. Common substrates include fine pebbles, coconut fibre, and sand. I always find sand a good one to use, just because it is easy, cheap, and simple...and looks appealing as well. Whatever substrate you are using, you must make sure it has been thoroughly sterilised, to kill any germs or infection. If you ae using sand, I can reccomend calci-sand, which is available from most pet stores. This has been speically formulated to be used for enclosure for pets, in captivity.

Furnishings can also be added. Hides will prove popular for the crabs, as they seem to spend a lot of time hidden. You can either purchase some small hides, or create a small rockery type hide with some stones. Make sure these stones are firmly in place, so they do not collapse, or trap the crab.

A water bowl also must be added for the crabs to bathe in. I use a standard large bowl, and place some pebbles around the outisde of the bowl, and the inside of the bowl, which makes it much easier for the crabs to get in and out of thr water.