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How Many Hermit Crabs Per Gallon?	by Vanessa Pike-Russell A simple adaption of the 'per Gallon' rule would be 'per Gallon divided by the percentage of vertical height used'. That is, if you only use the bottom third of the tank, calculate how many Gallons your tank holds, then divide by 3 to deduce how many hermit crabs you might comfortably keep within that crabitat. One of the reasons why I am supporting the creation of custom made tanks, is because land hermit crabs are not fish, and the surface area needs to be taken into consideration when purchasing a tank. We have all seen hermit crabs climbing the sides of their tank like arachnids as they try to make their way around tank items due to the narrowness of their crabarium. When I moved to Tasmania in December 2000, I purchased a 2ft by 1.5ft crabarium to fit within a nook in my lounge room. Not only was it cheaper to purchase than a standard 2ft fish tank, but I was able to fit more items comfortably within the tank, and just the extra half a foot width helped to make the crabarium a much happier place for my hermit crabs. When my fellow Tasmanian and fellow-crabber Craig saw what a great idea it was to create a custom-made tank and the cubing effect, he had a 3ft by 3ft tank built, which gives him 9 square feet of surface area - 3 times that of my 2ft by 1.5ft tank. Previously he had purchased a standard 3ft long, the surface area around a third less for the same amount of money. It also had a height that makes it difficult to lower and lift items to or from the tank. It just seems like common sense to me. If you cannot afford a custom made tank, why not ask your local aquarium if they know of anyone that would create a more 'cubish' tank or perhaps look into a hexagonal style crabarium which will have a similar amount of surface area. In the meantime, try not to buy more hermit crabs just because a rule of thumb says that you can fit more based on the Gallons in your tank, but how many you can comfortably keep with the surface area available.	77	0 (0)
How many hermit crabs should I get?	There is no easy way to answer that question. It depends on several factors, which will be different for each situation, unless a standard tank developed with the same items, the same dimensions. Because this is not the case for the majority of land hermit crab owners, perhaps we need to revisit the rule of thumb and bring it into line with the 21st century. Firstly, let's look at the Gallon, (or 4 Liters in Aus-speak). The Gallon is a volume taking into consideration length, width and height. Since most crab tanks are one level, and hermit crabs mainly use the surface area of a tank, is a 'per Gallon" guideline appropriate? Unless you use levels so you are doubling or adding to the surface area of your tank, the amount of Gallons is not truly relational to the surface area. You could have a 50 Gallon tank but the surface area is actually very small because it is a fish tank, with a tall vertical height for the benefit of fish, which need it. Perhaps what would be more fitting is to say 'per square foot' or 'per square metre' so that we have an idea of how much actual surface area you are talking about. Then if people have levels, they can measure the square foot or metre dimensions and get an estimate as to how many hermit crabs they can keep in that tank. To be honest, the best way to work out how many hermit crabs you can fit within an area is to put all the things you need within a tank, such as food and water dishes, hiding spots (caves, coconut huts, etc), greenery, wood items, etc until you have created a comfortable habitat for your hermit crabs. Then calculate how many hermit crabs can comfortably exist in the environment you have created while answering the following questions: 1. Does every land hermit crab have an area to go into in order to escape the stresses of captivity? Many animals need hiding spots and areas within their habitat so that they can distress and feel at ease. If you have a tank that includes: substrate, bowls, dishes, and no barrier from the bright lights and shadows, there is the chance that they may not be able to settle into their true behaviour patterns, or ever truly relax. There should be several hiding spots available so that each crab has a chance to feel at ease. Imagine yourself within the tank, and what it would feel like to be out in the open. 2. Is there enough room in the tank for a moulting-friendly area within the tank? It is important that there is enough room for each hermit crab to be able to moult in peace without crowded tank mates digging them up in order to find their own place to hunker down and sleep or moult. 3. If you have a large hermit crab, or even a jumbo, it is important that they are able to have an area that is Jumbo-friendly, that is, deep enough substrate for them to bury properly, and large enough hiding caves and spaces to enable their survival. C. Perlatus (Strawberry) should be housed in no less than 2 Perlatus per a 20 gallon long tank due to their activity level. 4. Is there enough within the tank to facilitate climbing, play and exercise? It is important that a section of your tank makes use of the vertical height available, without lending itself to 'the great escape'. Items like Driftwood, coral, mangrove root etc are all great to have within a tank, and will a hit with your hermit crabs. Make sure to place these items before calculating how many hermit crabs you can fit within the tank. After you have considered the above factors, then estimate how many hermit crabs could comfortably fit within your crabarium, keeping in mind: a. How many hermit crabs are moulting at the one time? b. How many different sizes you have or would like c. Whether your hermit crabs sleep huddled up together, or in their own spaces d. Whether you have a mix of PP's (Carribean, C. clypeatus) , Strawberry’s (C. Perlatus), and E's (Pacific, C. compressus), etc. and have provided for their moulting set-up needs.	71	0 (0)
What kind of home do not recommend for a land hermit crab?	Plastic tanks are recommended only for transportation, temporary accommodation or as a play pen during handling. If you must use a plastic tank purchase an under tank heater specially made for plastic tanks and cover the vented lid with saran wrap, allowing for a small amount of ventilation. Wire cages are NOT suitable, nor are cardboard boxes or other enclosures that hermit crabs can climb out of.	70	0 (0)
What should I house my hermit crabs in?	A 10 Gallon glass tank with lid is the minimum recommended housing. Hermit Crabs fare better in larger crabitats such as 40 Gallon tanks or custom made tanks which have a square base, allowing for more surface area.	65	0 (0)
Will my land hermit crabs reproduce in captivity?	While not impossible, it is quite rare that land hermit crabs reproduce in captivity. There has been recordings of the spawning of eggs within a captive enclosure, however the aquatic larval development of land hermit crabs requires that the eggs be fed brine shrimp and spirulina within a set-up which mimics the environment of a tidal pool. Those that have successfully raised land hermit crabs (Stu Cobb in Qld, Australia) and researchers Alan Harvey and Renae Brodie, (United States) they had successfully raised eggs to juvenile development from crabs that had chosen to reproduce in captivity. The eggs that were raised in the laboratory were collected from a hermit crab which was laden with eggs from the wild. Several hermit crab owners have reported eggs within their tank from hermit crabs that they had owned for over a year, which gives hope that with the correct environment more hermit crabs will reproduce, and with a little assistance we may be able to captive-rear land hermit crabs in the near future. Please see the post with photos included of a crabber who had a land hermit crab who became pregnant and laid eggs while in captivity: Crab Laid Eggs	72	0 (0)
How can I tell the gender of my land hermit crab?	To sex your land hermit crabs you will need to look for sexual openings, known as gonopores. The gonopores are present on the second pair of legs in a female land hermit crab, and on the fourth legs of a male land hermit crab. To see a photo of the female gonopores visit: female gonopores	70	0 (0)
How large do they grow?	Land Hermit Crabs can grow as big as a cantaloupe in the wild, and up to the size of a baseball in captivity if they are kept in an optimal environment with sufficient nutrition, exercise, seashells and environment. How big a hermit crab will grow is often dependent on the availability of seashells. It is vital that you provide as many seashells as possible for your hermit crab, and to provide exercise and a diet rich in protein ( spirulina, fish, meat), calcium (spirulina, cuttlebone, oyster shell, tetra baby shrimp, sand dollars, coral), and vitamin c ( spirulina, fresh fruit) For foods and what they contain, please see: Sue‘s post on foods Safe Foods Product reviews Make sure to read the label of any commercially bought foods. Many will contain the preservatives Ethoxyquin and/or copper sulphate, both of which are insecticides. Land hermit crabs are from the arthropod (insect) phylum. There are higher quality freeze dried foods sold on the market that do not contain these chemicals.	65	0 (0)
How do I create a Fresh Water Pond?	The fresh water you offer to your land hermit crab must be free of chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals. You can either use a dechlorinator such as Aquarium Pharmaceuticals 'Tap Water Conditioner' or other brand. Follow the directions on the bottle and wait until the water has been dechlorinised. All water, including bottle water, should have a dechlorinator used. The only water that does not need a dechlorinator used is bottled Distilled water.	64	0 (0)
How do I create an 'Ocean Water Pond'?	You can create an 'Ocean Water Pool' by using an ocean/sea water mix sold specifically for salt water fish tanks. It is recommended not to use the premixed solutions sold for hermit crabs, or those which are sold for use with hermit crabs. It is also recommended not to use an aquarium salt mix sold for fresh water fish tanks as there is an ‘element’ difference. Hermit crabs need the elements contained in Ocean/sea water to remain healthy. This solution can keep for up to a week. Make sure that you shake the solution after mixing it and prior to use each time. It is highly recommended to leave the ocean/sea mix sit for at least 12-24 hours prior to using to ensure the crystals dissolve. Quality brands which may be used include Instant Ocean, CoralSea, Oceanic Sea Salt, Reef Crystals from Aquarium Systems, and Tropic Marin. Each brand should be mixed according to the package instructions which should give a salinity level of 1.021-1.024. To mix smaller portions than what some of the packages call for, please see: Ocean Water Mixes	66	0 (0)
Can different species of Land Hermit Crab be kept in the same crabitat?	Yes. Different species of land hermit crabs can be kept in the same crabitat, as long as their needs are met. Some species require a deeper substrate than others, while several species are very dependent on access to 'ocean water'. Some species require higher temperatures than others, as well as cooler temperatures than others. Along these lines, some species also thrive better with slightly higher and lower humidity levels. To meet these variables for various species to be kept together requires a larger crabitat to be able to do so.	66	0 (0)
What are the common species of Land Hermit Crabs kept as pets?	The most common species kept as pets are: C. brevimanus Wrinkled Land Hermit Crab C. cavipes Concave Land Hermit Crab C. cylpeatus Carribeans (formerly PurplePincers) C. compressus Pacific Hermit Crabs (formerly Ecuadoreans/E's) C. perlatus Strawberry Land Hermit Crab C. rugosa Tawny Land Hermit Crab C. variabilis Aussie Hermit Crabs (formerly CrazyCrabs) Calico Crab (India) C. sp. For pictures of the above species, please refer to our wiki species page: Species ID	66	0 (0)
What are some reasons why Land Hermit Crabs should not be a first pet?	If you live in a cold environment and you cannot afford to heat the crabitat then you will find that they will soon die. Hermit Crabs are cold-blooded creatures which rely on the warmth of the environment around them. When it is not provided they will become inactive and if the situation is not corrected they will ultimately die. Another disadvantage is that the set-up required may be much more than you were led to believe. After totalling the expenses of essential items (larger and multiple glass tanks, substrate, under tank heater/s, humidity and temperature gauges, protein supplements, calcium supplements, commercial crab foods, water conditioners, seashells, sponges, moon glow bulbs, driftwood, hiders, water dishes, food dishes) and the like you may find your shopping list in the triple digits. If you are not able to meet the temperature, humidity, nutritional and seashell needs then they will soon become 'crabby' or die, usually due to unsuccessful moults or stress.	66	0 (0)
What makes the Land Hermit Crab a good pet?	They are hypo-allergenic - If someone in your family has allergies to fur of any kind then the hermit crab is a wonderful pet because they not only are they fur-less but they are clean animals. They are suitable for apartment, dorm living, bedroom spaces - this was one of the contributing factors in my purchase of land hermit crabs over six years ago. Their living enclosure only takes up a small space. They don't need to be taken for walks - land hermit crabs receive plenty of exercise from climbing up and down driftwood, exploring coconut cabanas or digging. A really pampered hermit crab could be seen tumbling around in an "Exersphere"1 Watching a hermit crab moving around the room inside an Exersphere or similar is more entertaining than a good night of TV watching! They don't need to be house-trained like a dog or cat - they won't lick at your face first thing in the morning or bark or scratch to ask to be let out at night. They are quiet animals - excepting the noise of the shell of a hermit crab tapping gently against the glass. They are odor-less unless the tank is unkempt, and they eat virtually anything!! Hermit crabs are wonderful pets for children and adults alike - Most of the members of the Hermies eGroups Community that I founded are in fact adults. There are many children in the group but it is the parents that really enjoy crab watching of a night time, when you see a peak in activity and typical hermit crab antics of hanging upside-down, changing shells, climbing driftwood, digging, dancing against the glass and drinking from the water dish. This is just a brief glimpse into the wonderful world of the land hermit crab owner and why they make such a wonderful pet. Don't be fooled, these hardy and curious critters do need a comfy environment for them to really flourish and stay healthy and hyperactive, but it's not rocket science, just plain ol' common sense!	64	0 (0)
How are land hermit crabs classified?	Phylum Arthropoda: Animals with specialized body segments, hardened exoskeltons, and joined appendages. Subphylum Diantennata: Arthropods with a pair of mandbiles that flank the mouth and at least one set of antennae. Class Crustacea: Diantennata with two pairs of antennae and double branched (biramous) appendages. Order Decapoda: Crustacea with five pairs of legs Infraorder Anomura: Decapoda, with reduced fifth pair of thoracic legs and the folded up bases above the bases of the fourth pairs of legs. Family Coenobitidae: Land (Terrestrial) hermit crabs.	67	0 (0)
What is the difference between land and marine hermit crabs?	All hermit crabs start out in a marine environment, however land hermit crabs have adapted to live on land rather in the water. Once they complete the developmental cycles they will make their way onto land. Once ashore, land hermit crabs go through a metamorphosis, developing modified gills that act as lungs to enable them to breathe air. Once on land, they live in a variety of environments including trees, mangroves and areas up to 1-2 miles away from the shore. Land hermit crabs can drown if immersed in water, so it is important that you supervise hermit crabs when bathing them and provide water dishes and pools that they can easily get in and out of.	71	0 (0)
What is a Land Hermit Crab?	Land-based (or terrestrial) hermit crabs are of the family Coenobitidae. In some parts of the world they are also known as tree crabs as some like to live in and can be found climbing trees. In the wild, they can live for many months out of water but usually return to the shore quite regularly to wet themselves, change shells and release larvae from hatching eggs. Land hermit crabs are arthropods of the order Decapoda and Infraorder Anomura. Hermit Crabs are not true crabs, as their abdomen is not protected by a calcified armour.	66	0 (0)

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