| I've kept Hermit Crabs for the last 10 years, and learned some things about it along the way. I've had two die on me, out of 12. First of all, good for you to learn the proper way to care for crabs. Do understand that a hermit crabs natural life span, when in a correct environment, is up to 25 years or more.
Hermit crabs are tempermental and easily stressed. When you first get crabs, there is a period of adjustment, and they may not make it. You have to leave the new ones alone, do not handle them, for a couple of months. You also have to watch where you get them. Petco may be selling you crabs that they just got, and so are already stressed out. You move them again, and some are weak and won't make it. Look for crabs that will come out of the shell when you hold them. (sometimes you have to give them a couple of minutes). Look to see who is active in the tank.
Crabs WILL NOT get stuck in shells. They will change when they are good and ready. Sometimes it seems the shell they are in or the one they choose is too small, but they know what they are doing. Make sure you have the right shells. There are two types of hermit crabs: Purple Pincher (PP) and Ecquadorian. You probably have PP, because they are most commonly sold in the US. They actually have a purple large claw. They like shells with round openings. Ecquadorian are lighter in color, and do not have the dark purple claw. They like shells with oval openings.
Hermits shed they exoskeleten as well. If they bury themselves and you don't see them for a while -- LEAVE THEM ALONE. They may be shedding and need to be left totally alone until they are done. This can take up to two months (sometimes more) for them. They will eat their exoskelten when they are done. |