A Simple Guide to Hermit Crab Care
Congratulations on your new hermit crab pet! It is so exciting when a new pet joins the family.
The proper care for land hermit crabs is widely misunderstood, so I am here to help provide and direct you to up-to-date information on land hermit crab care. These little crabs can live upwards of 40 years in captivity if the ideal conditions are met.
Hermit crabs need a tropical beach environment, so that is what we aim to recreate.
Temperature and Humidity:
Hermit crabs require a steady temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, or 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and an ambient humidity of 80%. You will need to purchase a thermometer and hygrometer combo. The digital ones work best.
Space:
Smaller hermit crabs require 5 gallons of space per crab. Large/Jumbo crabs require 10 gallons per crab. Bigger is always better, so if you can afford to go bigger - do it.
Substrate:
Hermit crabs require a substrate mix of Eco-Earth coconut fiber (rehydrated) and Playsand from your local hardware store, in a ratio of 5 parts sand to 1 part coconut fiber. Calci-sand and Repti quartz sand will be harmful to your hermit crabs, so go with natural.
You want to create sandcastle-like consistency. The crabs like to burrow and create tunnels in the sand, and this consistency is crucial for when they molt. The substrate needs to be at least 6 inches deep across the tank, or 3x the height of your biggest crab. Choose whichever requires more substrate.
Water:
Hermit crabs require both saltwater and fresh water pools. We want to mimic what they will have access to in the wild, like the ocean and freshwater ponds. All water must be treated with Seachem Prime. To make saltwater, use Instant Ocean at a ratio of 1/2 cup of salt to 1 gallon of treated water. You can purchase Instant Ocean saltwater mix here at the Tay’s Hermit Foods shop.
The water bowls should be deep enough that the crabs can fully submerge themselves and go for a swim. This will need to be replaced twice a week.
If you have deep pools, you’ll need to make sure that the crabs can get out on their own. Ensure that you have a way for them to climb out like rocks or a ladder.
Food:
Hermit crabs eat just like people do. They are omnivores and need to eat a balanced diet. If you haven’t seen by post on Hermit Crab Nutrition, go take a look. They need a wide variety of foods to choose from, and we provide that for you here at Tay’s Hermit Foods. Along with dried food options, hermit crabs also need fresh fruits and veggies weekly. It’s important to avoid feeding foods high in citrus. They can also eat some nuts and grains. They will eat cooked meats like chicken, fish, shellfish, eggs and some insects. Its important that foods DO NOT have any salt or seasonings on them.
Don’t leave fresh food in the tank for more than 24 hours. Even if the crabs haven’t touched the food, you’ll still need to replace with fresh new food daily to avoid mold.
Other things to include:
Hermit crabs love to climb! Make sure to include lots of enrichment items for them to climb on. Cholla wood, cork bark and netting make good climbing toys. Other things to include in your tank are different places to hide, lots of shells (5 or more per crab), and moss.
Want to know more? Visit the following websites to learn more about keeping land hermit crabs:
Reference: Griffith, Stacy. Crab Street Journal. CrabStreetJournal.org, [https://crabstreetjournal.org/blog/2014/02/18/the-newbies-guide-to-hermit-crabs/] Accessed [2025/02/17].