How to Set up a Hermit Crab Habitat

Although we think of hermit crabs as low maintenance pets, some effort must go into creating their habitat, or crabitat. Hermit crabs can live up to 10 years if well cared for, so this is a fun challenge that helps to ensure a long and happy life.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aquarium
• Other crabs
• Substrate
• Humidity and temperature control
• Two water dishes
• De-chlorinated water
• Salt water
• Food dish
• Food
• Shells
• Toys
• Rocks
• Sea sponges
• Tank heater
• Humidity gauge
• Thermometer

1. Buy an aquarium with a lid to house your crab. Hermit crabs do best in groups of three or more, so choose one that provides enough space--one and a half gallons for each inch of crab. For the traveling crab, you can purchase an aquarium that provide a lid with a handle.

2. Pour at least three inches of sand or gravel into the bottom of the aquarium as bedding.

3. Create humidity within the aquarium of no less than 70 to 80 percent and temperature from 70 to 80 degrees F. Humidity keeps gills moist, prevents dehydration and eases the molting process.

4. Give crabs at least two water dishes and one food dish. One water dish holds de-chlorinated water, while the other holds salt water. Crabs eat a wide variety of food from non-acidic fruits like coconut or papaya to packaged hermit crab food.

5. Provide larger shells for crabs to hide in and grow into along with toys or rocks that allow climbing.

Tips & Warnings

• Appropriate humidity and temperature levels can be obtained with wet sea sponges and an under-tank heater. Measure the levels with a humidity gauge and thermometer.
• Always provide ways for crabs to climb in and out of dishes.
• Use large glass or ceramic dishes like an ashtray to avoid dish tipping or glue the dish using a non-toxic glue.
• Humidity and temperature are crucial for a crab's survival.
• Water in dishes must not be any more than a quarter to a half inch deep, otherwise the crab could drown.
• Beware of any pesticides in your crabitat that could kill the crab.