Saltwater Hermit Crabs

If you’re looking for a usual pet that is relatively easy to care for then a hermit crab is definitely worth considering. Contrary to popular opinion, hermit crabs are actually quite active and even curious, eager to explore their surroundings. Each hermit crab has his own distinct personality, making him an interesting companion.

It should be noted that hermit crabs are not actually what one would call true crabs. A true crustacean crab lives in its own broad flat shell while a hermit crab has a smaller abdomen than a true crab and lives inside empty snail shells instead of their own shell. As the hermit crab grows larger, you will need to find a larger shell to accommodate your pet.

Keep in mind there are actually two different types of hermit crabs, saltwater hermit crabs and land hermit crabs. If you plan to choose a saltwater hermit crab you can usually do so and introduce your new friend to existing saltwater pets with no fear they will disturb the other life in your tank. In fact, they can actually be very beneficial to your tank as long as you select a relatively small hermit crab. Larger hermit crabs should probably be given tanks of their own simply to prevent them from interfering with the arrangements you may have in an existing tank. Beneficial small hermit crabs that do very well in existing tanks while providing beneficial advantages such as eating algae include the Blue Legged Hermit, Red Legged Hermit, Blue Eyed Hermit and Scarlet Hermit.

Hermit crabs do not have very difficult feeding requirements. They are naturally omnivorous. You do need to be aware that they can only eat the food that makes it to the bottom of the tank; however.

Your tank should be kept at a salinity level between 1.023 and 1.025 to keep your hermit crab happy. Be sure to check whether your crab is of a temperate or tropical species because this will make a difference in the temperature at which you should keep the water. To make life even more interesting for your hermit crab, be sure to provide several different shells. When a variety of shells are available, your will notice your hermit crab likes to change frequently.

Although the average lifespan of a hermit crab in captivity is about three years when care for very well hermit crabs have been known to live up to thirty or more years old.

 
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