Halloween Crabs!

[Melancholy Newt]

I have a 20 gallon tank that is planted and all set up for a little creature, but I am not sure what to put in it. I had thought about hermit crabs, and while looking for information on their care I came across Halloween crabs. But I am having a hard time finding care information for them. From what I have found online their care is similar to hermit crabs. Tropical fruits and veggies, hermit crab food, freeze dried crickets and so forth along with a cuddle bone and calcium supplement. Fresh and brackish water, damp but not soggy substrate, temps between 80 and 95. What I cannot seem to find is what is adequate space for a pair (I know they are social and need a friend) and do they need special lighting? Is a 20 gallon even big enough? Right now in the tank the soil is compost, which I would change out to use a mix of coco fiber and sand (play sand, not reptisand). There are also two non toxic plants that I forget the species of.

Are there any other good resources for their care?

 

[paumotu]

It's likely that in the future those two plants you have in there will be uprooted or eaten as they love to terraform their enclosures. There's no special lighting they really need, but a good day/night cycle would probably do them good. For a pair, I'd put them in a 30/40 gallon long, they roam a lot at night and spend most of the day in burrows. Id suggests mixing in some coral rubble to the substrate for them to build the walls of their underground dens. Also, if you mean to keep a pair, make sure to get a male/female as males will fight to the death. They are easily sexable by the width of the flap beneath their carapace, thinner "aprons" being male while the wider ones are female.

 

[Melancholy Newt]

It's likely that in the future those two plants you have in there will be uprooted or eaten as they love to terraform their enclosures. There's no special lighting they really need, but a good day/night cycle would probably do them good. For a pair, I'd put them in a 30/40 gallon long, they roam a lot at night and spend most of the day in burrows. Id suggests mixing in some coral rubble to the substrate for them to build the walls of their underground dens. Also, if you mean to keep a pair, make sure to get a male/female as males will fight to the death. They are easily sexable by the width of the flap beneath their carapace, thinner "aprons" being male while the wider ones are female.

LOL! Good point about the plants, I had not thought about that! Someone said they will not EAT the plants but I never thought about them being dug up, lol! Would a 20 gallon be big enough for one? And is it true that if you keep a pair they don`t do well? I plan to order them online as I do not see them much here so getting a male or female may be a bit difficult.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Oh, man. You are so lucky. The last time I got Halloween crabs the wife was furious.

 

[paumotu]

LOL! Good point about the plants, I had not thought about that! Someone said they will not EAT the plants but I never thought about them being dug up, lol! Would a 20 gallon be big enough for one? And is it true that if you keep a pair they don`t do well? I plan to order them online as I do not see them much here so getting a male or female may be a bit difficult.

20 gallons is good for one crab. More often than not when kept together they tend to fight, often ripping each other's legs off. This kind of fighting can't be sustained for very long, so I suggest just keeping 1, especially if you insist on a 20 gal.

 

[Melancholy Newt]

20 gallons is good for one crab. More often than not when kept together they tend to fight, often ripping each other's legs off. This kind of fighting can't be sustained for very long, so I suggest just keeping 1, especially if you insist on a 20 gal.

It is more I just happen to have a 20 gallon, lol! I would be fine upgrading if I decide to get one. I have had it planted and ready for an inhabitant for a while, just can`t decide on what to put into it. But yes if they do better as a single pet then that would work and it sounds like a really fun species to keep.