Hermit Crabs!

fishgalore144

Hello. I have a tank, and am getting some hermit crabs. I was wondering how many you could put in a 10 gallon tank? And what decor would most likely help them. Since I have never had hermit crabs before I need a lot of advice. Thanks!

Michelle9843

We have 3 in a 10 gallon, but you could have more. Just make sure they have a BIG water dish. You can use sand or gravel, either works. I actually have both in ours as the kids like the coloring. Red Sand with Black Gravel. They are very easy to keep!!

fishgalore144

Okay thanks so much!

redchigh

Actually, I would probably set up a paludarium, and make the water brackish (about 1 tbsp of marine salt for every three gallons of water) The water area doesn't have to be large- just a couple inches deep. Would really let you get crazy with aquascaping and driftwood.

There are actually two types of "Hermit" crabs in the hobby, and both prefer salt in their water. The hermit crabs that carry a shell on their back do well with brackish to full marine water, while the other hermits (that don't remove their shell- they look like other crabs) like both types of water.. (brackish and fresh, in two different areas)
Both need high humidity as well, so a paludarium would keep you from having to mist them every day.

kyop

Yay first post! lol

I definitely agree on the paludarium idea, seeing as in I have a 55gal crab beach paludarium myself... I have had a lot of success keeping many semi aquatic and even fully marine crabs and shrimp in with my land hermit crabs. For most semi aquatic crabs you need not be crazy careful about changes in salinity over time, my fiddler crabs frequently crawl out of the saltwater pool and into the freshwater dish with no problems whatsoever. Marine inverts on the other hand... well that's a whole other story but not impossible. http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/i.../icon_wink.gif