How to Bathe a Pet Hermit Crab

Many hermit crab owners like to bathe their pet. It is your personal choice whether you want to give your crab regular baths or not. Whether you bathe your pet yourself or provide the tools for the crab to bathe itself, your crab does need to take a bath.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stress Coat
• Water dishes
• Small cup or dish
• Dechlorinated water
• Sponge

Bathe Your Hermit Crab

1. Use a bowl, cup or dish with enough room for the crab to crawl around a bit and tall enough sides that it doesn't escape.

2. Put your hermit crab in the bowl with a sponge and let it relax a bit before you add water.

3. Add enough dechlorinated water that it covers the crab until half way up the biggest claw. Some people like to put their crab in deeper water on its back. The choice is yours.

4. Leave the crab submerged for about three minutes. Never leave it longer, as it could drown.

5. Observe your pet hermit crab at all times while it is in the water. Remove the crab if it appears to become distressed.

6. Remove the crab from the water and place it on a towel or in a small box with paper towels. Let your hermit crab roam around a bit, drying off, before you put it back in the main tank.

7. Bathe your hermit crab about once a week. More frequent baths are not good for your pet.

Provide a Bath for Your Hermit Crab

8. Provide one or two shallow water dishes in your pet hermit crab's tank. The water should only be about 1/4-inch deep, and even shallower if you have small crabs.

9. Use only dechlorinated water or bottled spring water. You can remove the chlorine from tap water by using drops found at most pet stores or by filling a bottle with water and letting it sit overnight.

10. Clean the water bowls daily by rinsing out and drying with a paper towel. Your crabs should always have fresh, clean water.

Tips & Warnings

• You should always bathe a new hermit crab in Stress Coat treated water to remove any fungus or mites. After the initial bath, you can decide whether to provide a bathing pool in the tank or bathe your pet weekly.
• Most hermit crabs sold in pet stores are terrestrial and do not like being submerged in water. If your crab routinely drops legs or appears sick, you may be stressing it out by giving it a bath.