Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

The hermit crab (also known as the spirit snail) is a wonderful pet. Although not as shy as a puppy, but entering the exciting world of spirit snails, children will learn how to care for a living creature. This article will help you learn more about the living conditions and care of this mud crab.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Prepare 'Crabitat'

1. 

   Choose a tank with the right size to make "crabitat". "Crabitat" is the term used to refer to the artificial captive environment of the crabs. A 40 or 80 liter tank is suitable for two to four small crabs. The hermit crab is a community species so at least one more is required to interact with it. The right home is a place where you can keep humidity and circulate at the same time. An aquarium, a reptile tank or you can take advantage of an old, broken water tank on the terrace. In addition, mica tanks or clear plastic containers are also suitable because they retain moisture and heat very well.

2. 

   
   
   Ensure the necessary humidity for the aquarium. Should be equipped with hygrometer and thermometer for the tank. They will help you to monitor and maintain the best temperature (24-28 ° C and relative humidity 75-85%). Snails are scaly and breathe through these scales when moist, if the scales are dry, they will not be able to breathe so the habitat must have a certain humidity of at least 75%. If the humidity is too low, below 70% snails will be suffocated and die gradually over weeks and months.
   • Adding algae in your tank is a natural way to increase moisture. Moss is both moisturizing and food for crabs. You can buy sponges because they are quite moisturizing. But sponges get dirty very quickly, you should change them regularly every two or three weeks.

3. 

   
   
   Make sure the temperature is right for the aquarium. Hermit crabs are tropical animals, so they are very well adapted to warm environments. Their standard thermal limit is 24-29 ° C. The thermal damage to ornamental animals is irreversible, too low temperatures will slow down their metabolism. It is recommended that you install a heater on the back of the tank to maintain temperature and humidity. Improper design of the tank can cause crabs to become lethargic and passive, lose their legs, fall more and eventually die.

4. 

   
   
   Prepare the substrate. Substrate is the layer of material you spread on the tank floor. You should only use sugar ball-sized sand, as finer sand can get into the shells as they move and have unpredictable consequences. Use dechlorinated brine to wet the substrate and form a consistent "sand castle" mass. You can also use compressed coir (available from aquarium stores). Tossing coconut fiber, then sprinkle with salt water to provide moisture and prevent mold and mold. You should not use decorative aquarium gravel (crabs cannot burrow) and calcium sand (which can form hard and cause bad odors). The substrate of the tank should be 3-5 times thicker than the height of the snail and must be the right material for crabs to easily burrow, build caves to reduce stress, hide and molt.
   • Many hermit crabs like to get into the wet moss, even molt in it.are not must be Spanish moss or plastic moss - the kind to decorate!)

5. 

   Keep the foundation clean. Dirty substrates can produce harmful mold. You should replace the tank foundation every 6 months. However, each month we need to check to see if the substrate is infested by mold, ants or mites. If you detect something unusual, you must replace the platform immediately. You can "spot cleaning", ie just remove any feces or leftovers that the crab has scattered on the tank floor. Do not clean the tank when the spirit snails are in the process of molting (at this time they will get into the sand and rise up after the "house" change has been completed). When the hermit crabs molt, they become very weak, so do not move them during this period.
   • If you want even more perfection, you can disinfect the sand in the oven. Place the sand in a large saucepan (separate from the cooking pan for hygiene!) And bake in the oven at 120 ° C for about 2 hours.
   • Every two to three weeks, boil all shells and shells in the tank with dechlorinated salt water to make sure bacteria and mold don't produce and harm crabs. Let them cool down before you put them back in the tank.

6. 

   Buy toys for the crabs. The hermit crabs are "professional climbers". In fact, in the wild they often have to climb large boulders at low tide in search of food. The spirit snails are sometimes called "tree crabs" because on land they can climb up trees to eat insects and plants. Toys that are painted should not be purchased, in case the paint is peeled off and if swallowed by crabs, it can damage the gut. Some toys you can buy:
   • Mountain climbing toys are indispensable. Things like apricot log or stump are very popular, as apricot wood has no poison and has plenty of holes for the hermit crabs to hang on. You can place it in the base of the tank, just make sure the crab cannot climb out that way. In addition to the apricot wood, there are also lego blocks and hemp nets, all of which are available at the pet shop.
   • Natural toys: Stone and shell. Spreading things that can be easily found on this beach around the tank will contribute to making your crabitat extremely lively. In addition, snails can also eat shells. Don't forget to boil them all to disinfect them before placing them in the crab tank.
   • Plastic toys: The reptile resin tree is also suitable for crabs to climb or hide in, but do not forget to close the lid of the box or the crab will escape wandering and die. Make sure they do not ingest the plastic, and remove it as soon as possible.
   • Never use "split pine" - the type intended for reptiles because there are stimulants in pine that can poison crabs.

7. 

   Prepare your crabs for shelter. Hermit crabs, like other animals, will hide when they feel threatened. You can take coconut shells, old flower pots, large shells, etc., estimate how the crab won't get stuck and or easily dig it up.

8. 

   Add some live plants to your tank. Plants are indispensable factors. Specifically, bamboo (except for the kind of prosperous bamboo or "lucky bamboo"), insect catchers (air trees) and spider trees are safe plants. However, crabs will probably eat them at any time, so you should plant them until they are strong and put them in the tank.

9. 

   
   
   Supply water for snails to borrow souls. All spirit snails need clean water and salt water. You should prepare these two dishes of water as the crabs need to balance the salinity in the shell; The dish of water should be deep enough for the crab to soak the shell (C.Perlatus crab loves to soak in water). Design a sloping water area, from shallow to deep, surrounded by rocks or something that crabs can cling to. Do not use plastic as it is quite slippery and crabs will have difficulty climbing the slope.
   • If you have a large hermit crab and the other is smaller then you can place small rocks or a natural sponge in the plate so that the dish is deep enough for the big crab to soak it while the crab. she also doesn't get stuck and drown.
   • You can purchase aquarium saltwater for marine fish (not freshwater fish). Do not use table salt because the antifreeze in it will harm crab. Some brands of salt for hermit crabs are table salt, so when you mix salt water, it will not have the correct salinity. Use specialized reputable brands such as Instant Ocean, Oceanic, etc.

10. 

    
    
    Make sure the water is dechlorinated. There are substances in tap water, such as chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals, that can cause the body to swell (leading to sudden death from abnormal asphyxiation). Distilling water will remove chlorine but chloramine remains, so if you use tap water you need to combine it with a water treatment machine.
    • You can use spring water as a substitute for tap water if treatment is not available.However, make sure there is nothing but spring water. Dasani water for example contains magnesium sulfate (also known as Epsom salt) "for flavor enhancement", and this is not good for crabs.
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Method 2 of 2: Crab Care

1. 

   
   
   
   
   There are many species of hermit crabs you can buy. In the US, six types of spirit snails are sold. Most of them belong to the genus Coenobita. The Purple Pincher is the easiest to breed for beginners as they do not require too much detail and meticulous care.
   • The most common type available is the Caribbean (Coenobita clypeatus) aka "PP", which stands for "purple pincher". The reason for this name is because they have purple markings on the body and were first found on the Caribbean Islands. If you go to a store, most likely the first hermit crab you see is one of these guys. There are also a number of other types such as Rugosus called "Rug" or "Ruggy" (rugosus), Strawberry (perlatus), Ecuadorian or "E" (compressus), Cavipe or "Cav" (cavipes), Komurasaki "Viola. "(violascens), Indonesian or" Indo "(brevimanus).

2. 

   
   
   Handle them very carefully. Beginners should be patient with your first hermit crab as it will take a while to adjust to a new home. Leave the crab in the tank for a few days. When you pass by without the crab snuggling into its shell, it's time to pick a good day and get used to it. Hold the crab in your hand, let it explore on its own and feel comfortable in your own hand.
   • Once they bring the spirit snail home, they will go through a period of "stress" from a few days to several months. During this time, you need to change your food and drink regularly and avoid disturbing them. Even the experienced hermit crab player may not be able to help his crab through that stage, just watch them succumb to Post Purchase Stress syndrome, and die.

3. 

   
   
   Hermit crabs need to go through a molting and shelling process. If your crab has been in the ground for a few weeks, don't worry. As long as it doesn't smell like dead fish ... everything's fine. You should not be disturbed at this time because they need to be alone or they will die of stress. Usually after a while when the crab's body begins to grow, the outer skeleton starts to get cramped, the spirit snail needs to molt just like a snake shedding its skin. However, do not throw away the old skeleton! They need to re-feed it to harden their new outer bones.
   • If one of your soul-borrowing snails gets sick, don't panic. Keep it in the tank fully isolated from substrate, water and food. If the crab acts as if it were sick, it may be about to molt. This isolation tank should also be designed with the appropriate temperature and humidity as noted above.

4. 

   Prepare a new shell for the crab. When they get big, there must be a big enough shell. Always have plenty of shells of the same size as your crabs scattered throughout the tank. This is very important. Occasionally a month or so, change to different covers with different styles and colors.
   • Purple Pincher crabs prefer shells with round holes rather than oval holes. The Ecuadorian spirit snails prefer shells with oval holes because they have a slightly flat belly.
   • Never buy colored paint shells! Even if the manufacturer says they are safe, the paint may peel off and crabs will become poisonous if swallowed. Many crabs prefer a "natural" shell over an artificial shell, although a natural one does not fit it. See section 'Warnings' for more about shells to avoid placing in the aquarium.

5. 

   Provide a regular and varied diet. The hermit crabs are dubbed the "labor of nature" because they eat almost anything. Be careful because some foods contain preservatives and copper sulfate can be harmful to your crabs. Don't give them anything spicy, hot, or with preservatives in them.
   • The soul snail likes tenderloin, fresh shrimp, dried shrimp, bloodworm, seafood, etc. You can buy them at your local grocery store or fishing tackle.
   • If you cook, save them a piece of beef or chicken, not marinated but only lightly grilled. If not, the hermit crab can also eat raw meat.
   • If you have more than twenty crabs, give them fish heads. Usually, the fish sellers in the market will be happy to give you some fish heads because they will go away (except for the big fish heads like salmon). Place the spirit snails in a large tank or plastic box (clean, without a lid or lid with a REALLY hole), pour the fish head in, add a bowl of water and let it sit for a few hours for them to enjoy. You do not want to do this often because the fish smell is very fishy, ​​but on the contrary, the crabs are very excited and they will love you more for it.

6. 

   
   
   Know the fruits and vegetables that hermit crabs like. Besides meat, hermit crabs also love to eat vegetables, fruits, vegetables and other organic waste (because they are the final cleaning characters). Remember to change the food for them every day or at the end of the day because crabs love to bury their leftovers and this will cause confusion and mold growth.
   • Hermit crabs like fresh fruits like pineapple, apple, pear, grapes, watermelon, mango, papaya, strawberries, bananas, etc. You should wash fruits before cutting to avoid pesticides.
   • Especially the hermit crabs will be crazy when they see the shaved coconut rice.
   • The spirit snail also eats natural peanut butter on toast, boiled eggs, eggshell (boiled), popcorn (simple, unsalted, no butter).
   • Avoid any plants in the Onion family (onions, garlic, etc.).

7. 

   
   
   Play with them. Most hermit crabs love to be noticed. When they wake up, carefully remove them from the tank. How to play? It is climbing! Let them crawl all over your shirt while watching TV or let them crawl on both hands (like a crab treadmill). It is important to be careful not to let the soul snails fall, and not to leave them out of the tank for too long because the humidity is not suitable. Falling from a height of 1 m can be fatal, and because of fear of falling, they may respond by clamping you. Keep the hermit crab in a safe position and you will not be clamped.
   • Remember that crabs really need moisture. Typical indoor humidity is only around 40% and even lower when using an air conditioner. When holding a crab in low humidity it will feel the same feeling when holding our breath for too long.

8. 

   
   
   
   
   Be careful because hermit crabs can grip. Aside from being self-defense, they can be clamped for no reason, so be defensive. When clamped, do not try to release them by mist spraying or placing them under running water as this will make them grip even harder. Always be careful when holding the spirit snail. You can limit pinching by stretching your hands tense so that the crab does not have (much) skin to grip. advertisement

Advice

• Do not make a loud noise or make loud noises while holding the crab as it can put stress on it.
• Adopting or buying crabs looks lively, not sluggish. Such animals can often get sick. However, some crabs are just stressed or shy at first, not necessarily sick.
• If you smell strange like dead fish, it is possible that a dead crab is present. But before you search, think about the cause. Have you recently fed them raw seafood? Sometimes up to a month later the food is still left somewhere in the tank. The hermit crabs love to bury their food. That's why it's important to replace the tank floor once a month or so (unless it's about time the crab molting).
• If a hermit crab grabs you, that doesn't mean it hates you, it simply is afraid of falling or is hungry. Put it back on and wait a while please lift it up and remember not to shake your hand otherwise it will scare the crab and clamp harder. Make sure it has plenty of food in the tank. Don't punish these little friends if they get pinched because they just follow instinct and don't understand what they are doing.
• Hermit crabs can not reproduce in captivity. They need a tropical climate and oceans to breed. So unless you have a giant tank designed specifically for this purpose, don't expect to see a baby hermit crab.
• Do not lend the snails anything if you are going to go a long way. Car sickness can kill them.
• If your child has a spirit snail, instruct him to put on gloves if he is afraid of being clamped.
• If you hold a crab, keep your hand above the table top, this will help the crab mate less afraid and not pinch you.
• Soak the crab in the water for 1 minute then let it dry for 5 minutes if you want it to be cleaner.
• If you notice that the crab is less active and has white eyes, it is about to molt. Put it in a separate tank but it should be in a good location and you need to mist it with distilled water. Wait a day or two and your pet should be fine… But remember to never blow or touch it. New skin is very sensitive so don't pester it until its color is back to normal. This process takes about a month.

Warning

• If you are considering decorating your tank with rotting wood, "furniture" or furniture, take a close look. Quite a variety of woods and trees are poisonous to crabs, such as Lucky Bamboo and evergreen trees.
• Hermit crabs. Since they are crabs, they can produce a painful, strong grip. Keep an eye on the kids when they hold a crab!
• Do not drop the crab as it could injure or die.
• If your local insect prevention team comes to your home periodically to spray the spray, don't let the crabs get sprayed. Take them to another room for a few days and insert towels under the door to suppress the scent. Although they are not bugs or insects, they are also close enough to be affected more or less, so be careful.
• Do not use soap to clean the tank and toys! After you've removed all the crabs and sand, you can use white vinegar to spray and scrub it. Boil toys, snail shells (empty), and apricot wood in salt water (to prevent mold) and drain them on a towel.

What you need

• Glass tank or plastic tank.
• Tank caps (glass or plastic).
• Two plates of water.
• Spring water and salt water (do not "mix" the salt water with table salt and tap water because the chlorine can harm the snails so if you can, add a few drops of water neutralizing solution.
• The plate is big enough for crabs to soak, but not too deep as small crabs can drown (you can use the shells to store water for small crabs).
• Shelter for crabs to have space to stay alone (you can cut the door on a coconut shell then face it face down or bury half a flower pot in the sand and make a bridge for the crab to climb).
• Spare shells, at least 3 (one smaller, one close to the same and one slightly larger than the current crab shell). Do not use paint peels as, as mentioned, it will be harmful to crabs if crushed paint is swallowed.
• Substrate (at least 5 cm thick).
• White vinegar (for cleaning the tank) (optional).
• Raw food (canned food can damage crab's resistance).
• Something to climb (like apricot wood or some small bridges).
• Fertilizer (plastic spoon can be used).
• Toys (purchased from a veterinarian or pet store).
• Gloves (just in case they clip! Be careful with their paw).
• Thermometer and hygrometer (for temperature and humidity measurement).
• Tank heater (if the temperature in your home is lower than 23 ° C).