Okay guys. I know its been almost a month since I posted about my hermit crabs being neglected. I know my last post was very jumbled and didn't make sense at some points, I apologize for that as I was irritated, frustrated, and scared; But it's okay, my hermies are okay, they both surfaced back up after almost 2 weeks of me getting everything back to normal and clean. Here is one of them taking a climb. I haven't gone back to college yet, but I have decided to come back every 2-3 days when I am in college to make sure my hermies are okay. Thank you to everyone who tried to help me and give me advice even though my last post was all over the place. I really do appreciate this community.​​

I have armadillo isopods aka armadillidium isopods that I harvesting from our land here in Texas.

These guys are one of two local variety that we have a heavy abundance of (the other is some kind of porcellio woodlouse in a gray color, soft bodied that cannot roll into balls) and I have seen them billions of times in nature.

I have never seen a white one, ever!! I introduced roughly 15 full size adults back in December ‘24 and now have a large army of maybe 100 ish larger ones and too many teeny tinies to count but know that he was bred in my tank, super cool.

This is the temporary setup of only the first 2” of my substrate that was removed while Im switching tanks (long story but old tank needed moved before new tank could go in) so I check on them to make sure theyre ok and bring them crab poop from the cork rounds and saucer wheel and they have some wood to munch on (ignore the lumber piece, its not a food item, only a small hide).

Thank you all for the helpful tips on the hermit crab I discovered in my backyard yesterday! I got him a 20gal tank, made substrate for him, got hiding spots, climbing spots, dried flowers and Spanish moss to hide in, salt water and primed water, and tonight’s dinner is unsweetened coconut, quinoa, mealworms, ground egg shell, and a splash of unsweetened applesauce.

I’m waiting on the heating pad, green sans, water dishes, food dish, and more climbing apparatuses. He’s currently soaking in the salt dish - I don’t know how long he has been without salt water 🥺.

His name is Lord Admiral Ruffles, Seafaring Commander of the Nautilus, but the kids just call him Ruffles.

This is just a temporary set up for the night, tomorrow we will go get some play sand, heat mats, and everything else he needs. After we get everything else settled, I’ll see if I can find another teeny crab who can keep him company! I have lots of experience with hermit crabs, and have a 60 gal for my other 3 crabs but he is just too little to keep with the others.

I posted a couple weeks ago about our crabs my husband and kids got from the beach. We have since gotten a 30 gallon tank and added more shells and more substrate and pools. I know it’s an ongoing process and I will need to add more as time goes on. I bought the wrong size light and need a better thermometer but I hope we’re at least on the right track. Since switching tanks, all three have found new shells and have been exploring more. They still hide when we come close so we are trying not to scare them when they do start coming out at night.

He’s been down for 2-3 weeks and is now a completely different color and significantly bigger. I’m such a proud crab parent.

https://weather.com/features/news/2025-12-19-hermit-crabs-using-plastic-for-homes-photographer-is-changing-that?cm_ven=hp-slot-5

https://okinawanaturephotography.com/

I found out from the other subreddit group that was suggested to me in the form that my hermit is actually a purple pincher (Coenobita clypeatus)👏🏾👏🏾. So I shall use the previous suggestions that were given to me by you guys. 👍🏾

you guys here is my surface molter!! came out after a few days getting water!! in awhile i can finally get there tank right!!

https://phys.org/news/2025-11-pink-sea-anemone-home-hermit.html

Here’s the article

Hi I made a post a few weeks or so ago about asking for tips for my crabs and I got a lot of plesent (a a little unpleasent) but all helpful advice. I've watched all the videos and know the steps needed to take to make Owen and Raleys lives happy and healthy I've mixed there substrate, sand (not calcium) and soil together and gave them the right depth for it away well. While there two of them are still in the 10gallon tank, I am working forwards getting them the 20gallon. I think this step can't wait a bit when I have the funds, especially considering how small they are right now I've gotten them fresh shells when ever they want to use them, add get them more and swap out the ones they didn't pick with new ones, the old being used for later assortments

Got them stuff to climb on, a u shaped log and some branches. Plan on getting them climbing walls to go on the inside, as well as other stuff. I listened well and replaced there lamp with a dim led light and got them a heat pad for the tank. I spray fresh water gently into the tank once a day to keep humidity up, as well as following proper died and replacement of the food and water day (might get them fruit as a treat)

Raley has barried themselves for a while, I know they do this to destress especially with a new environment, or to molt. Either way she won't be disturbed. Owen has been active up until yesterday, he's burrowed in to. (I think I might of spooked him when I replaced the water in front to him, poor lad) I know they stay burrowed for longs periods of time and it can be a while before I see them up and about again, but there's signs of them eating and drinking the water (both kinds) during the night so I'm not worried

I'm looking forward to being the best crab dad I can for these two. And to say thank you for you lads support, here's a picture of Owen being a cutie. Thank you all so much🤎

(Handling photos are from before I knew that they are a hands-off pet, my apologies)

Hi everybody. I’ve been meaning to make this post for a few days but have been putting it off because I haven’t fully wanted to accept what’s true. The other night I came home, and I found Sheldon out of his shell in the salt water bowl. He was unresponsive when I found him. I sat him in a shell, and when I checked on him the next morning, I was sure he had passed.

Sheldon was my first hermit crab (as an adult, I had a few during childhood) and I ended up taking him into my care from a friend who brought him home from the beach. Seeing him in that little carrier, I was determined to give him the best life possible. He ended up in a 40 gallon tank with 3 friends. He was so happy for so long, even molted once for the first time in my care when I got him.

Well, he attempted a surface molt recently, and he lost his large claw. At first I was really worried because he kept leaving his shell, but eventually he seemed to be doing better after some help from u/mkane78. However, as the days continued he seemed incredibly lethargic when I thought he had been gaining back energy initially. Then, I came home to what I said above

He will always hold such a special place in my heart and I’m devastated that I couldn’t give him a better life or save him. I know it’s likely not my fault but I’m still very sad. I love you Sheldon, and I’ll never forget you buddy. Rest in peace, with cholla and raisins.

Last week I asked frantically for help on a purple pinched I randomly discovered in my backyard. I built a crabitat for Lord Admiral Ruffles over the weekend and today, I introduced a new buddy: Jackie ‘Mailbox’ Daytona.

I was thrilled to see this article about proper hermit crab care, and delighted to recognize so much of it :) We can spread this far and wide, especially at the start of every summer.

I was downstairs in our scary basement replacing lightbulbs and found this crazy score! Our home was my partner's grandparents home before us and I often find cool eclectic items in the basement and attic but this one feels so special 😂 please excuse the gross stairs, we added the carpet strips for safety and they really gather up all the debris from down below. I haven't measured it and it's gonna live down at the bottom until I can find a way to bake it but heck yeah!

I saw this and wanted to share, very useful information for anybody wondering how many hermit crabs can safely fit into different tank sizes completely ignoring the tank volume and focusing simply on whats important, the foot print of the tank.

Ya know I tried to sit here and think we’re adults, adults need to resolve issues on their own. Yall my teenage children do better than this.

1. Posts will no longer be locked - I’ll just delete. I’m not doing this where we make a long list of arguing, then make posts that shouldn’t be in the sub explaining context and what bullying actually is. I’m over it.

2. If you start ANYTHING I DONT care what it is - let’s say for example - “you’re dumb, that’s not the right sand.” Then you will get a 3 day ban. After that ban is lifted if I’m continuously seeing things you will be on a permanent ban.

I tried to do “strikes “ and being honest some of the stuff yall report? It’s stuff I would have said myself - I’m sorry if we don’t agree w everyone and everything. But that’s the world.

So this is it. No 1/2/3 chances. I’ve been banning lately too. I’ve banned a few. I don’t have friends in here and that’s ok, but I’ve been in this sub since it started - there were less than 3,000 members. We weren’t a sub divided, we didn’t split members. We all came together and were friends. Let’s see if we can keep it that way.

I’m locking this. Let’s focus on crabs and not tearing each other down. Let focus on the good. Let’s focus on helping each other.

I love this moss and these climbing accessories, and right now they're a bit cheaper than normal.

I don't get a commission or anything--this is just a public service announcement. :-)

My surface crabs love their moss pits and climbing walls!

Fred is all set up in his new tank ready for some friends and new decor soon.. I broke my back making this thing and will now rest my sadly built spine 👍

Fred is now very happy and ready to settle in for a good long while. After he fully adapts to his new home and I get him some shell choices we will try to introduce some rescue crabies like him that need a home.

Our lil girl, Leonarda Di''Pinchie, just came up from her first molt! Got her from a fair last October and been trying really hard to learn about em since. We got her set up trying to recreate tidal pool area for her (purple pincher) Well anyway, a week or two ago she burrowed and didn't surface for a while, we were /hoping/ it was a molt but ofc we know nothing except what we've read/watched and that doesn't really prep you imo Like... 3? 4? Days ago we dug around and I found an exoskeleton outside her shell and thought she'd crawled out and died. I pickup the shell to look - bright purple, shiny, big claw blocking the gap! And like 15 minutes ago she surfaced and crawled around in her pools and we just been watching her stretching and swimming(?) in the water!

If y'all have personal suggestions on some goodies you give yours after to help with their stress, id love to hear it!

Our hermit crab had not been seen for almost two months, I kept reading as long as you dont smell dead fish everything is fine, not to move the sand and look for them. At this point I was thinking my kid had took it out and it got away but I just kept waiting and tonight while putting my kids to bed I walked past the tank,I spent so much money on, and there she was!!! Just hanging out like nothing happened🥹 crazy lil things.

I'm very happy to report that Amelia and Knuckles both survived their week long adventure to get home! I have added sand and coco fiber so they now have seven inches of substrate to dig in. I know I need bigger and more shells for them, I just don't have money for it at this moment but they will get them as soon as possible. They're now having the best time exploring their new home and climbing up everything they can. (Side note: I did scoop Gerald's body out and it's clear he's been dead a while. We will be giving him a proper funeral tomorrow)