By Joan Fox
So you want a crustacean? You do. Well, you are making a good choice. You will learn a lot, and laugh a lot with this strange little friend. He is exotic and conversational, and you've heard that they are very good pets. Right now you might be sitting, looking at your new found friend, and wondering what you should do first. This little creature has needs, and this article will answer many of the needs in a nutshell.
TEMPERATURE
There are strict guidelines about the water you have in your tank. Your crab is quite sensitive to temperature changes. Specifically, he likes to be at 72 degrees Fahrenheit, he could easily die if left in water that's too cold. On the other hand you do not want to cause him sunburn. You will need to spray him with water now and then so that he doesn't become dehydrated. You'd do best to keep him/them in bright light but not direct light. Stay far, far away from chlorine. There is also the problem of chemicals in the environment such as metal dishes that possibly have soap on them. Most of all, do not stress these poor little creatures out. He's already dealt with quite a lot of change in his life. If there is a musty, unpleasant odor coming from his tank, he's overheated. He can also discharge a brown liquid, which is most unattractive. Oh, I almost forgot. He does need a heater, as well.
HUMIDITY
Coupled with the correct temperature there is the matter of humidity. Crustaceans love it when the humidity is at least 70%. You needn't get overly upset about it and measure every day, but just try to keep his environment nice and tropical. You might want to spring for a hygrometer and thermometer so that you always know if the environment in healthy or not.
In a kind of funny way, your crabs love to bury themselves in the sand at the bottom of the tank. It's what they do when they are particularly overwhelmed, sort of like pulling the covers over your head in bed when you're scared. So, keep enough bottom material (can be sand or some other similar bottom material to let him feel covered but not buried completely). You should clean the tank monthly. Clean out the ground material and the tank itself. Use no soap. This makes it fresh from old food from that has dropped down into the water while he ate.
ADJUSTMENTS
After you bring your new pet home there some adjustments to make. First he needs so be bathed. I know, so strange for a water creature. Anyway keep rinsing him off until the water and shell appear clear. Lots of unwanted creatures can be crawling up in that shell. Do NOT use soap.
This is a high stress time for the crabs. When you bring them home to others, keep him alone for awhile - at least a week and maybe two. Crabs are used to being with other hermit crabs. In fact, in the wild they may hang out in their own 100 crab colony. They play and fight and bully the smaller ones.
This is the time you need to pick out a new shell for him (about 1/3 bigger than the shell he presently inhabits) and feed him a feast and clean water in his new crabarian. The substrate in the tank ought to be 2-3X the height of the largest crab in the bunch. Remember stress is the worst thing for everyone, including your new pet. When he does come out to check things out he will appear to be overeating. That is because, like burrowing mammals they never think they'll find good food again so they overindulge while the going is good. They will calm down as soon as they have somewhat of a routine.
If, by chance your new pet friend drops a leg or two, it's a signal that his well-being is compromised. Unfortunately, he is not molting, which is natural. He will drop appendages when he doesn't feel well. One claw dropping is not life threatening, but if the other claw drops off there is little you can do to save him.
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