We’re a quarter of a century into this millennium and yet hermit crab care is still riddled with misinformation and outdated practices. The result? Far too many crabs living in conditions that harm them. That’s why I created this checklist, to make sure you have the essentials for giving them the safe, thriving habitat they deserve.
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The Crabitat—Space is Key
When it comes to hermit crab enclosures, bigger really is always better. These little guys may look small, but they’re surprisingly active and curious. A tank can never be “too big,” but it can absolutely be too small. In fact, most experienced crab keepers agree that anything under 40 gallons just doesn’t give them the space they need.
Hermit crabs love to roam across the sand, climb over rocks and driftwood, and tuck themselves away in hiding spots when they need a break. The more room they have, the more natural behaviors you’ll see, and the healthier and happier they’ll be. Think of a spacious enclosure as giving them a little world of their own to explore, instead of just a box to live in.
Crab Mates: Shell-ter Squad
Hermit crabs may have “hermit” in their name, but don’t let that fool you, these little creatures are far from loners. Mine spend their nights climbing, digging, exploring, and yes, basically throwing their own little crab parties when the lights go out. Each one has a distinct personality, some are bold and adventurous, others are shy and cautious, but they all thrive on having company around.
Welcome to my Crabitat, affectionately dubbed Camp Leakey, where a lively mix of small and large crabs, Birute, Jane, Slightly, Scratch, Weary, Idgie, and Doctor Moreau, call home. These little night owls are always up to something, running, climbing, and generally causing chaos. I keep an eye on their shenanigans via CCTV, and honestly, it’s pure entertainment watching the little critters in action!
Humidity and Temperature Control
A glass lid isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for keeping your hermit crab enclosure at the right humidity. Hermit crabs rely on a moist environment to stay healthy, and a glass cover traps that humidity far more effectively than a standard screen topper.
Plus, it’s safer for your crabs: no chance of them sneaking out or getting caught in a gap. Think of it as creating a cozy, secure little world where they can thrive.
Scratch climbing the screen topper before I knew that glass was the safer and more effective option.
Substrate
For the substrate, a blend of five parts play sand to one part coconut fiber works perfectly. This mix holds moisture well while still being easy for your crabs to dig and explore.
When it comes to depth, think of giving your crabs enough room to burrow like little pros, they should be able to dig down at least two to three times their height, shell included. Providing this kind of space lets them exhibit natural behaviors and feel secure in their environment.
For my hermit crabs’ substrate, I stick with Quikrete Play Sand, it’s a reliable product that holds up well and keeps their digging areas safe. In my experience, Lowes usually carries it at a much lower price. I pair it with Eco Earth coconut fiber, which helps retain moisture and gives the substrate a soft, natural texture for burrowing. Together, this combo creates the perfect environment for my crabs to dig, explore, and feel right at home.
Crab Pool Checklist
Hermit crabs need access to both freshwater and saltwater to stay healthy and happy. Freshwater is essential for drinking and general hydration, while saltwater plays a key role in bathing and maintaining the right balance of minerals. Providing both lets your crabs take care of themselves the way they would in the wild, whether they’re sipping, soaking, or just splashing around for fun.
CRAB POOL CHECKLIST
- Water Primer: Dechlorinates tap water, making it safe for hermit crabs (and other aquatic pets). Tap water often contains chlorine or chloramine, which can harm crabs, so using a water primer removes those chemicals and balances the water so it’s safe for drinking, bathing, or mixing saltwater. Seachem Prime Fresh and Saltwater Conditioner is one of my top choices.
- Aquarium Salt: Essential for making saltwater baths that mimic the natural ocean environment. It’s not the same as table salt, so make sure to use marine-grade or aquarium salt.
- Tupperware: Sturdy, leak-proof containers work perfectly as small freshwater or saltwater pools for your crabs.
- River Rocks: Great for decoration, climbing, or helping your crabs get in and out of their pools safely. Exo Terra Turtle Pebbles are a solid choice.
- Craft Mesh: Useful for covering pools to prevent crabs from escaping while still allowing airflow.
- Zip Ties: Handy for securing mesh covers or attaching tubing and other accessories to the pool setup.
- Aquarium Tubing: Used to connect air pumps to air stones or create small water features to keep water circulating.
- Y Splitter: Lets you run air from one pump to multiple air stones or tanks, ensuring even oxygenation in all pools.
- Air Stones: These keep the water aerated, which is especially important for saltwater pools to maintain proper oxygen levels.
- Air Pump: Powers the air stones, ensuring the water stays healthy and oxygen-rich for your crabs.
- Line valve: a small control switch for the air or water flowing through your tubing. In the context of saltwater or freshwater hermit crab pools, it lets you adjust the pressure or flow from your air pump to each pool.
- Two 1-Gallon Jugs: Perfect for mixing and storing freshwater or saltwater before adding it to the pools, making refills and maintenance easier.
Collect what you need and head over here to learn how to make crab pools.
Opportunities to Climb and Hide
Giving your hermit crabs several hides is essential for their comfort and well-being. These little shelters let them sleep, rest, or simply hang out under safe cover whenever they need a break. Multiple hiding spots also reduce stress, encourage natural behaviors, and give each crab a sense of personal space within the enclosure.
Hermit crabs are natural climbers, so adding ladders, trees, and hanging decorations gives them the freedom to do what they love most. They can be adorably clumsy, so watching them explore and tumble around provides endless entertainment for any crab keeper. Many enthusiasts build their enclosures tall and spacious to mimic the most enriching environments for their crabs. Just remember, because high humidity is key for hermit crabs, it can also create the perfect conditions for mold, so check your decorations and hides regularly to keep everything safe and healthy.
These opportunities can be created with coconut hides, plastic egg crate, various aquarium decorations, hermit crab ramps, climbing platforms, moss climbing branches, artificial vines and branches, cholla wood, and cork bark.
Build A Shell Shop for Your Hermit Crabs
Keep a basket stocked with plenty of extra shells so your hermit crabs always have options when it’s time to upgrade their outfit.
The Crab Street Journal recommends you provide 3-5 suitable shells per crab.
In my Crabitat, seven crabs share about fifty shells, a veritable crab real estate market! Every couple of months, I give the shells a good cleaning and rub a thin layer of EVOO inside a few of them. It’s like putting out a “For Sale” sign: the scent and shine entice my crabs to check out new options and maybe even move into a shiny new shell.
Grazing Space for Your Hermit Crabs
Keep a basket full of moss in your crabitat so your hermit crabs can graze, dig, and explore to their heart’s content. It’s a simple way to add enrichment and give them a taste of natural textures they’d encounter in the wild.
Raised moss pits and moss-covered bridges are a fun way to give your hermit crabs access to higher levels of the Crabitat while also providing plenty of grazing opportunities. Just keep an eye on them, high humidity can encourage mold growth, so check moss-covered decorations regularly to make sure they stay safe and healthy for your crabs.
Thermometer and Hygrometer
It’s simple but important: hermit crabs have non-negotiable heat and humidity needs to stay healthy and happy. When setting up your Crabitat, aim to keep the temperature between 74–78°F and the humidity around 78%. Maintaining these conditions helps your crabs stay active, encourages natural behaviors like climbing and burrowing, and keeps them comfortable in their little home. A cozy, well-balanced environment is key to a thriving crab crew! A dual thermometer/hygrometer is a great way to keep track of these important needs.
Heating Pad
A heating pad is one of the easiest ways to keep your hermit crabs in the cozy climate they need, especially during the colder months. Using a pad with temperature controls makes it simple to monitor and maintain the ideal conditions in your Crabitat, helping your crabs stay healthy, active, and happy year-round.
A Bug Dealer
Making sure your hermit crabs get a nutritious diet is easier than you might think. One simple way is to provide food specifically formulated for hermit crabs, available at most pet stores, so you can be confident they’re getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and active.
Etsy is the best place to find homemade food with real ingredients and original recipes.
These are the Crab Dealers at the top of my checklist:
Hermit Grub
Hobo Hermie
If you have a store with affordable grains, nuts, and dried fruits then stock up those because your crabs will love them.
Humidity Mister
I keep a spray bottle filled with saltwater on hand to mist my Crabitat whenever it starts to feel a little dry. Regular misting not only gives your crabs a chance to hydrate and enjoy a light soak, but it also helps maintain the ideal humidity levels in the enclosure. Keeping the air and substrate properly moist is key to ensuring your hermit crabs stay healthy, active, and comfortable in their little world.
Hot Checklist Item 1: Toys!
Believe it or not, hermit crabs love to play! Once you’ve added plenty of climbing opportunities, toss in some toys to keep them entertained during their all-night adventures. Providing enrichment like this encourages natural behaviors, keeps them active, and gives you endless entertainment as you watch their little nocturnal antics.
Slightly climbing on a piece of cork bark
Toys for hermit crabs come in all shapes and sizes! They love tossing around pieces of cholla wood, climbing over cork bark, and investigating, or uprooting, anything new you add to their Crabitat. Every addition becomes a little adventure for them, keeping their environment stimulating and fun.
Hot Checklist Item 2: A Medical Isolation Tank
Just like with any aquatic creature, reptile, or amphibian, it’s a smart idea to have an extra tank on hand for your hermit crabs.
A medical or isolation tank is an invaluable tool for keeping new arrivals or sick crabs separate from their tank mates, helping prevent the spread of illness and giving you a controlled space to monitor their health. These tanks don’t need to be large, a small setup works perfectly. I also use mine to temporarily prevent a crab from molting while I keep an eye on its condition, ensuring it stays safe and comfortable until it’s ready to rejoin the main Crabitat. Having this backup tank provides peace of mind and supports the long-term health of your crab crew.
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You can find most of the items on this checklist on Amazon!
Great doc!! It really helped me with my hermit crabs!1