Anyone else have crabs????

[Meluchja]

Who else on here has hermit crabs for pets?

We have 2 now, and I LOVE them. I think they are great. I would love to talk to other crab owners.

[Arimeh]

Oh my... I thought you were talking about the STD type..

LMAO

[Meluchja]

I know it sounds funny doesn't???

I had my GF take my Crabs over Christmas, her husband didn't know what to think when she said I was giving her my crabs, lol

[jemima]

Hi Mel

how cool! We dont have any but you have given me a great idea for Jesse's birthday present this year! The boys would love them! DO they require much up keep?

XXX

Oh and yes funny title - I also thought STD crabs until I saw you were posting in the pets section!!

[Arimeh]

PMSL... I can understand why!!!!

[Meluchja]

Hey Jem,
Not much. You have to give them fresh water everyday, change their food ever 2nd day. And change their sand every 2 weeks or so, or when it starts to smell a little moldy. They love water and get it everywhere, so after awhile it starts to smell a little moldy, that when I change it.

They also need a salt water bath once every 2weeks, or you can have a salty water bath in the tank as well as fresh.

I googled Hermit Crabs and got some great info.

I think they are great. And you can take them away with you if your travelling my car no probs.

They can nip, but only nip to hold to something when they think they might fall. Someone I spoke to said they just put woolen glove on their kids when they want to hold them.

You can get some crabs with painted shells, but later I read it's not a good idea as you don't know if the paint used is Toxic or not, so best to either paint your own with non-toxic or just buy the natural ones.

They aren't expensive either, my local store charges about $10 for a pair. Sand is $17 for 20kg or something, which depending on your tank will last for ages. They eat scrap food but you also need to buy crab pellets or pre-made selection from your store, very cheap though mine is about $4 for a bag.

They need a high humidity tank, so if you live in cooler climates you will need to use a humidifer. Same with temp. you will need to use either a lamp overhead or use heat rock. You can buy humidity & temp. reader to leave inside the tank to let you know, how the conditions are before you go out a buy the other stuff.

I have bought coconut husk to creat climbing walls and levels in my tank, again very cheap to buy. Used some fake plants and spare shells for them to move in and out of to decorate the tank, it looks cool.

So all up, I think they are great for kids.

[jemima]

Thanks - they sound very cool. I think I might get a pair for J birthday!

[Meluchja]

Great, make sure you let me know how you go.