Hermit crab bathing

[Klogg]

Hello!

I have 3 hermit crabs of the "purple pincher" species (that's the best ID I could come up with :8o ) and I have many different things concerning their bath time and their water needs.

Some say that this species doesn't need saltwater and you can bath them in distillated water, other say you have to provide them with both and the pet shop employee said they only give them saltwater... who is right?

I hope I'll get to fully understand my hermies' needs one day! There is a lack of info on the subject :wall:

Thanks!

 

[Malhavoc's]

I'd offer them both and see which they prefer? better safe then sorry and no one knows better then the crab.

 

[Obelisk]

As Malhavoc's said, provide them with both (make sure they have access to both at all times). I wish I knew that it's part of their basic husbandry back when I was keeping them :?

I wouldn't use distilled water though...... better to use water that has minerals in it, such as spring water or de-chlorinated tap water. Distilled water would probably be harmful to them.

 

[spydrhunter1]

When mixing sea water for them, use the variety for marine aquariums (I use Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix). Mix a half cup per gallon of water. Don't be surprised when you first add the sea water dish, that the crabs will drink like crazy. All hermits should (need) a fresh water and sea water dish. If the pools are deep enough they may even swim on their own.
As for bathing ...it's a controversial subject, I don't since it messes with the water already in the shell. I have crabs that are ten years old and never bathed.

 

[Malhavoc's]

Out of curiosity these dont breed in capitivity do they?

 

[spydrhunter1]

No...there are folks trying to work out the process, but the females lay eggs in the ocean and the larvae spent time floating as plankton.

 

[Travis K]

Greg,

Do you know any one/place that sells or can acquire Birgus latro?

 

[spydrhunter1]

There is one site that sells them, their website is currently down.
exoticlandhermitcrabs.com

 

[Travis K]

There is one site that sells them, their website is currently down.
exoticlandhermitcrabs.com

Is the website normally up?

 

[Kirsten]

This is the best care site I have found:

http://hermit-crabs.com/care.html
Good luck

 

[MudCrabDude]

Is the website normally up?

They were at the beginning of the year. I think they were operating for about 8+ months prior for the website being down.

By the way, if you are thinking about getting Birgus latro, they do not ship them - they have a "pickup only" policy for B. latro (with an in-store guided tutorial, for lack of a better term, for handling these creatures) and their store is based in Delaware, I think. At least that was their policy back then.

I had considered getting one in the past, but at the time, I got pinched badly by my small Coenobita clypeatus and that got me to reconsider...(yes, my skin is pretty thin...lol).

 

[Travis K]

They were at the beginning of the year. I think they were operating for about 8+ months prior for the website being down.

By the way, if you are thinking about getting Birgus latro, they do not ship them - they have a "pickup only" policy for B. latro (with an in-store guided tutorial, for lack of a better term, for handling these creatures) and their store is based in Delaware, I think. At least that was their policy back then.

I had considered getting one in the past, but at the time, I got pinched badly by my small Coenobita clypeatus and that got me to reconsider...(yes, my skin is pretty thin...lol).

I think B. latro would be one of the most awesome inverts one could ever dream to have.

 

[Travis K]

the site is up now

http://www.exoticlandhermitcrabs.com/birgus-latro-the-coconut-crab-p/hc-birg-latr.htm

OUCH! it's not the pinch that hurts, it's the price. I know some one that inquired at a French Restaurant in LA and they told him $200 if I remember right.

BUT $999.99 Ouchies!

 

[MudCrabDude]

http://www.exoticlandhermitcrabs.com/birgus-latro-the-coconut-crab-p/hc-birg-latr.htm

OUCH! it's not the pinch that hurts, it's the price. I know some one that inquired at a French Restaurant in LA and they told him $200 if I remember right.

BUT $999.99 Ouchies!

I've read of someone who managed to purchase a live one from a restaurant in Massachusetts a couple of years back (I think) and even posted pics of the crab molting in the tank where it eventually resided (it was ashy brown at premolt - but came out a nice dark blue hue when it shed.)

I guess you can come across them in restaurants in the U.S. for less, I suppose, if you look hard and are lucky enough... hehe.