Q&A for How to Give Your Hermit Crab a Bath

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How to recognize a sick hermit crab?

Brian Blake
Aquarium and Fish Expert
Brian Blake is an Aquarium Expert and the Owner of Boodleshire Aquatics based in the Kansas City Metro Area. With over 20 years of experience, Brian is an expert in freshwater planted aquariums, saltwater reef aquariums, and aquarium installation, care, and maintenance. Brian holds a Bachelor's degree in Ichthyology and Aquatic Environmental Science from Emporia State University.

Brian Blake

Aquarium and Fish Expert

Expert Answer

To determine if a hermit crab is sick, observe its behavior closely. Watch for signs such as decreased appetite, lethargy, or reluctance to come out of its shell and move around. While visual cues may be limited for smaller species like blue lake or red lake hermit crabs, monitoring their actions and habits is crucial for identifying their potential health issues.

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Question

How do I help my hermit crab change its shells?

Brian Blake
Aquarium and Fish Expert
Brian Blake is an Aquarium Expert and the Owner of Boodleshire Aquatics based in the Kansas City Metro Area. With over 20 years of experience, Brian is an expert in freshwater planted aquariums, saltwater reef aquariums, and aquarium installation, care, and maintenance. Brian holds a Bachelor's degree in Ichthyology and Aquatic Environmental Science from Emporia State University.

Brian Blake

Aquarium and Fish Expert

Expert Answer

To change hermit crab shells, provide multiple options of varying sizes larger than their current one. Ensure the shells are clean and suitable for occupancy. In the wild, hermit crabs gather for shell swaps, selecting shells that suit them best. Offer two or three shell choices, allowing the crab to decide and move to a preferred shell. If they don't choose immediately, offer different options until they find one suitable for them.

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Question

How are some ways I can get my hermit crabs to trust me? Every time I go to take them out, they hide out in their shells and never come out. I also can't get them to play, and I don't have the salt.

Community Answer

Your hermit crabs might need some time to adjust to their surroundings. They may be stressed out because they are in an unusual habitat. Try to leave them alone for some time until you see that they have adapted to the new environment. Also make sure that you do get the salt for the the crabs from the pet store.

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Question

What if a hermit crab stays in the ground for a few days and does not change shells?

Community Answer

Your hermit crab is most likely molting. Keep an eye on him.

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Question

What do you do if your crab won't get back in its shell?

Community Answer

Leave it alone. He may need a new shell; his could be damaged in some way, or be too small.

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Question

I've heard that rollie-pollies clean up after hermit crabs. Is this true and, if so, is it okay to put them in with my crabs?

Community Answer

Yes, that is generally true, and you can put them in your hermit crab habitat. Just remember not to add too many insects. Also, keep in mind that the hermits will eat them!

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Question

Is it required to use saltwater?

Community Answer

Yes. If you use table salt, the iodine in the table salt may damage your crab. Uniodized sea salt, however, is good an will keep your crab healthy in the process.

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Question

Is it bad when one of my crab's claws is big and the other one isn't?

Community Answer

Your hermit crab has one large claw for grabbing things and for climbing, while the other smaller claw is used for drinking and eating.

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Question

Why does my hermit crab keep digging and hiding?

Community Answer

Hermit crabs either burrow for molting or just because it's in their nature. If they're hiding it might be because they're nervous, but usually they just burrow because they like to.

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Question

My crab habitat has somewhat low humidity. Will occasionally squirting my crab with filtered water help improve the habitat?

Community Answer

Yes, that is the way most people maintain a stable humidity level in the habitat. Just make sure you spray it once or twice every couple of days.

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Question

What is the easiest way to tell if a hermit crab is male or female?

Community Answer

Female crabs have long hair on the legs, while the males tend to have shorter hair.

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Question

I just won a crab at the fair, and it came in a painted shell. I changed out, but should I leave the painted shell in the cage, or remove it?

Community Answer

Take it out. Your hermit crab could ingest the paint, which may be toxic.

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Question

Where can I buy the Instant Ocean or other salt additives?

Community Answer

You can buy salt for your crab bath at any large, chain pet store. Some aquarium or fish tank stores may also sell them.

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Question

One of my hermit crabs is blue and reddish. Is that normal or is he becoming sick?

Tyler Ramsey

Community Answer

Your crab is completely normal as there are multiple different types of hermit crabs and they come in different colors, shapes, and sizes.

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Question

My hermit crab changes its shell around three times a day and has many different size shells. Is this normal?

Community Answer

Yes, it's just his way of exploring new homes. When I first got mine new shells, it did the same thing.

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Question

Could I use a big seashell for my hermit crab's food bowl?

Community Answer

Yes, just make sure to boil it in hot water first to make sure it is clean.

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Question

Can we use salt from the kitchen? Aren't they the same?

Community Answer

No, they are not the same. Table salt is iodized and contains chemicals that could harm the crab.

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Question

How high do the sides need to be in his/her bathing bowl?

Community Answer

If it is a separate bath, the walls should be high enough that the crab cannot climb out. Make sure you are watching your crabs during their bath, as they can drown.

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Question

How can I tell what the humidity is in my crab's cage?

Community Answer

You can buy a humidity gauge. You can get them fairly cheap at your local pet store.

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Question

How do I get my hermit crab to get out or walk around?

Community Answer

Hermit crabs hide when they are stressed. Try leaving your crab alone for a while to see if it will naturally come out of its shell. Giving your crab a bath is also a great way to get them active.

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Question

How often do you spray your hermit crab?

Community Answer

This depends on the humidity of your crabitat. If it is less than 70%, then spray it once or twice a day. If it is over 70%, then spray only once or twice a week. If it is over 80%, then take the cover off your crabitat and/or wipe the sides to get rid of water.

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Question

My crab smells bad. Will giving him a bath help? If not, what can I do?

Community Answer

A bath could help. It's important to keep his tank clean. Also, crustaceans do not really smell good in the best of circumstances.

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Question

Can I separate my two crabs?

Tyler Ramsey

Community Answer

You could separate your two crabs, but crabs tend to prefer groups of 3 or more but one of my hermies prefers a cage of his own. Try experimenting with your crabs to see what they like best!

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Question

Can I use regular sea salt?

Community Answer

It is best if you go to a chain pet store to get the salt water. You could use sea salt only if it is not iodized.

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Question

Can I use water from the ocean to bathe my crab?

Community Answer

Absolutely. Crabs are naturally from the ocean -- as long as the water is warm enough and conditioned, it's fine.

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Question

How often should I bathe my hermit crab?

Community Answer

Hermit crabs require bathing daily if the humidity levels in the habitat of the crab are less than 70%. If the crab lives in a habitat that maintains higher than 70% humidity, bathing may be infrequent and sporadic, as the moisture levels in the air will enable to crab to maintain proper moisture levels in its skin.

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Question

My hermit crab would not come out of his shell while I was bathing it, I tried leaving it alone but it still remained in its shell; what do I do?

Community Answer

Your hermit crab could simply be too stressed. You shouldn't force a hermit crab to do anything. He or she may not want to take a bath.

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Question

Do you have to put salt in the water?

Community Answer

No, but it is much better for him/her.

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Question

My hermit crab's claw is purple, is that normal?

Community Answer

Yes, there are some different color variations, but purple claws are actually quite normal.

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Question

I'm a new hermit crab owner. Can you give me some helpful facts and tips?

Community Answer

See the Wikihow article on How to Care for Hermit Crabs for some useful tips.

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