Helpful Hermit Crab Basics

Hermit crabs are fun pets to take care of in your home. They was reserved for souvenirs from seaside vacations, but now they can be bought nearly anywhere. They make great starter pets for kids. They make an important different to the more traditional gerbils or hamsters, they usually have a much longer lifespan than goldfish! Contrary to what you might anticipate if you are new to hermit crabs, it is possible to play with them, and they do have little personalities of their own. Do you assume hermit crabs could make a terrific pet for you? Listed below are some helpful hints to get you started.

Before you get your crab, you need to get the basic gear and supplies in place. First, they will need an aquarium for their house. Neglect those teeny, tiny cages you see at the shops by the beach; hermit crabs really need a ten-gallon aquarium to be comfortable. If you are getting a couple of crab, obviously you will be an even bigger aquarium. A pet shop will be able to advise you on the perfect size for the number of crabs you will be housing. Be certain the aquarium has a cosy fitting lid so your little mates do not make a run for it! Place a heating pad under the tank to keep your crabs feeling nice and tropical.

You will need something to cover the floor of the tank, as well. Three to four inches of sand works greatest, but you may also use crushed coral or reptile fiber bedding. If you happen to use something other than sand, it is still a good idea to cover a portion of the floor with sand, so the crabs will have somewhere comfy to go when they molt.

Now that you’ve got the house and the flooring lined, you will have to get two shallow water dishes and a food dish. Shallow shells work well for this job. In one water dish, it is best to keep contemporary water, and in the other, keep salt water, made with a marine aquarium salt solution. The dishes need to be shallow enough for the crabs to crawl into. A natural sea sponge is a nice addition to the recent water dish, your crab will love to pinch it, and it will help keep the humidity levels up the aquarium.

The last thing you will need to gussy up your hermit crab home is some decorative wood pieces for the crabs to climb on. Coral and coconut shells also make great additions that your crab will love to play with.

Once you get your crab, to feed it, you will need to get some business hermit crab food. You can supplement that food with small pieces of fruit, meat, cereal, or fish. Additionally, ensure that your crab gets crushed eggshells or oyster shells to boost their calcium level; it is important to hold their fragile skeletons strong. Cuttlebone is another option for this purpose.

To care for your crab, clean their water and food dishes each day, and spot the clear the tank when necessary. You’ll want to provide plenty of further shells, in increasingly bigger sizes, so your crab can change homes as they grow. Shells with large openings are best. When your crab molts, remove the skin they have shed as soon as possible.

One optionally available, however useful accessory to get is a tank thermometer and humidity-measuring tool. Your hermit crab will be most snug when the temperature is saved around seventy two°F – eighty°F and the humidity level is between 70% and eighty%.

With these helpful hints, you are able to get your hermit crab. All that’s left to do now could be provide you with a reputation in your new pet!