hermit crab question

[wrs]

water, even though I know there is and invertibrate section.

They are very shy! When I go to look at them they go right back into their shells! Its is kinda boring. Whjen I was bringing them home, one of them was wout walking around in the bag, but now that it is home it is just like the other one. Is there anyway to make it come out more?

Also how often should I spray them, bath them and change their water?

 

[Cian McLiam]

They should have a water dish with at least 1cm of water at all times, they do best with one warm side of the tank and a cooler side with over 4" of coral sand to burrow into. If you keep them well fed and watered they should be quite active (I give mine apples and plums as well as plec wafers) but compared to other pets they are not very interactive! I have mine for nearly a year and they still hide if you get too close but will crawl around on your hand.

Change their water at least every two days, and dechlorinate it well. Give them a piece of natural sponge soaked in water to keep theirt gills moist. Once a week take them out and put them into a container with about 3/4" of water that has been standing at least overnight, remove them when they start trying to climb the walls.

They are more confident when there is more than two crabs but dont expect fireworks, they are very shy and slow creatures but they are also excellent climbers and will climb up wires etc and escape.

Ken

 

[wrs]

i seem to be doing it right then! i do ave to get some more decorations and 1 more though, only have 2

 

[MAM]

not to hijack or anything, but to add to what you already said cian, what size enclosure would you recommend as a minimum for 2-3 crabs? (dimensions more so than volume i guess) and what do you do to make one side warmer, use a heat lamp or some other light source?

 

[wrs]

5 GALLONs, about 2 gallons per crab.