A solid glass or plastic tank is essential for keeping moisture in and maintaining a humid environment. Never try to keep hermit crabs in a wire cage.
Coconut fiber is an acceptable substitute for sand, or you could even use a 50-50 mixture of coconut fiber and sand. Make sure that the sand is dry and clean. You can purchase sand at a pet supply store, use hardware store sand, or get sand at the beach.
Dechlorinated water is essential because chlorinated water can harm the crabs. You can dechlorinate the water using a dechlorinating device available at pet stores. Purchase salt water from an aquarium store. Avoid putting table salt in the water, as it is poisonous to hermit crabs.
Hermit crabs can eat a variety of veggies, fruits, nuts, and grains, and you can scatter any of these foods around the enclosure. [5] X Research source
To keep the tank clean, you must do daily maintenance and also change the sand on a monthly basis.
Small boxes with holes cut in 1 or 2 sides of them. Empty flower pots turned on their sides. [8] X Research source Hollowed out logs or rocks (available in pet stores). Ceramic castles and other types of manmade hiding spots sold at pet stores.
Driftwood is a great option since hermit crabs usually live by the sea. [10] X Research source Pet stores also carry fake driftwood branches for use in hermit crab enclosures.
After getting a new hermit crab, make sure to keep it separate from your other crabs for 1 week to make sure it is healthy. [11] X Research source
It is also important to provide lots of shell options to prevent your hermit crabs from fighting.
Keep in mind that it is best not to handle your hermit crab too often. They do not like to be touched.
If you are in your bedroom, close the door to help keep your hermit crab contained. Your hermit crab will need to eat, drink, sleep, and defecate at some point, so don’t keep it out for more than 1 hour.
