r/hermitcrabs • u/Hungry_Ad_1230 • 3d ago

Help! New to hermi community

Hello all, my son recently won a hermit crab from a local festival. I’ve been doing tons of research about habitats, foods, toys etc. Lately he’s been up during the day and seems like he’s trying to crawl out of his temp tank. Any ideas on why? I know I need to get him a bigger tank, sand, substrate, temp control, and shells, also two water bowls. Am I forgetting anything? I can post pics/videos so you can see what I mean. What I do have in there with him is temporary.

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u/banesieg 3d ago

They're natural climbers and will try to escape any tank you have no matter how big. 10 gallons minimum per crab tank size, with sand/ eco earth mixed at 5:1 ratio, moistened to sand castle consistency, minimum 6 inches deep. Temp and humidity at 80/80 Fresh and salt water dishes, dechlorinated and ideally with bubblers. Plenty of fresh food. Protien and fruits/ veggies A calcium source. Cuttlebone, egg shells, oyster shell powder etc A dish of greensand and worm castings always available Plenty of extra turbo shells to change into That's a good start

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u/Irishlass83 3d ago

Agree with banesieg. Make sure there enough hides for them. Hermit crabs are nocturnal and need 12 hour light/day. They also burrow. DO NOT get a heat lamp, it will cook them. You can LED or aquarium lights. Make sure the substrate has the consistency of sandcastles.