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Many people claim that hermit crabs are very easy to care for, but despite this, they still have some questions related to their care. In this article you will find practical tips on how to properly care for hermit crabs.

Steps

Use a suitable container. The best option would be a glass aquarium. When deciding how many hermit crabs you will keep, it is important to correctly calculate the size of the aquarium. The following empirical calculation method will help you: 1 cm per 1.5 liters. To find out the size of the crayfish, you need to measure the inside diameter of the shell opening. Remember that the aquarium should have three dishes, climbing toys, hiding places, sinks and room to roam. The aquarium should not be overcrowded, but it should not seem empty either. A forty-liter aquarium will be an ideal home for six small crayfish. You may want to immediately get at least a 75-gallon aquarium, which will have enough space for everything. The larger the aquarium, the more space there is for crayfish to walk around, and the larger “climbing” equipment you can install in it. In any case, you will have to increase the aquarium if you started with a forty-liter one. But, on the other hand, crayfish will not grow too quickly in a small aquarium. Since there will be no water in the aquarium, you can use a used tank that is even leaking water.

Use the correct lid. Hermit crabs are escape artists. If there is a suitable hole in the aquarium, the cancer will definitely find it and escape. Cover the aquarium with a glass lid, which will prevent the crayfish from escaping and will retain moisture in the aquarium. Make sure the lid has ventilation holes.

Use suitable padding. This is a convenience that hermit crab owners most often forget about. The thickness of the substrate layer should be more than twice the height of the largest crayfish. For medium-sized crayfish (the size of a golf ball), the depth of the bedding should be at least 15 centimeters for molting. For small crayfish (the size of 5 kopecks), the thickness of the soil should be about 12.5 cm, and for tiny crayfish (the size of a penny), at least 10 cm. These are standard depths for molting. The best substrate is sand, but you can also use compressed coconut fiber sold under the names "Eco Earth", "Bed-A-Beast" or "Forest Bedding". You can also use a mixture of both. The sand and coir must be maintained at a certain level of moisture. The litter should not be dry, but also not completely wet. There should always be sand in the sandcastle. The humidity is checked as follows: your finger should not go into the sand too easily, but also not be wet when you pull it out. Sand of such humidity will provide your crayfish with stable growth due to successful molting (change of shell). Do not use sawdust, gravel, newspaper, etc. as a substrate...

Place dishes, toys and hiding places in the aquarium. Make sure the shelter has an opening large enough for the crayfish to enter and exit. It is advisable to place more than one hiding place in case one of the crayfish wants to be alone. Although they are social creatures, sometimes they like to truly be hermits. Coconut shells, ceramic flower pots, large shells, artificial reptile caves, aquarium decorations, and much more can be used as shelter. Basically, it doesn't matter. Hermit crabs love to be in hiding during the day, so they will spend a lot of time there. They are also avid climbers! Provide them with special equipment, and you will provide entertainment for both you and them. You can use cactus tubes, vines, fig tree, driftwood, cape wood, swamp wood, Lego, balsa bark, artificial or live plants, rocks, large coral, barnacle shells, aquarium decor and much more. It's not difficult to do, and your crabs will love you for it! When placing dishes, remember the following: place dishes with water away from the heat source. If water is near the heating element, bacteria will multiply in it. Store the water in a cool area of ​​the aquarium. Make sure the dishes are deep enough for the crayfish to immerse 3/4 of its body. The dish should be large enough for the crabs to climb into and fill their shells with water. If the dish is large, place sea shells, small pieces of aquatic wood, or artificial plants nearby so that small crabs can get into it.

Prepare the water. Hermit crabs need two types of water - fresh and salt. Hermit crabs cannot drink tap water. This water is treated with chlorine, which can cause painful blisters on the crayfish's gills (they have gills). For this reason, all water (including drinking water, as well as water used for air humidification) must be free of chlorine. Buy a small bottle of water from the fish section of your pet store. Follow the instructions for using the water. It is better to have some water in reserve than to buy it every day. When choosing an aqua conditioner, do not buy “Biological film”, as it is strictly used for bathing crayfish and keeping fish. Look for a conditioner that removes chlorine and chloramines and neutralizes heavy metals. Do not buy conditioners that stimulate the formation of biofilm, unless they are intended for bathing. Take another batch of water and add some aquarium salt to the mixture. 8-10 tablespoons of salt will be enough. You may be told that only exotic species of hermit crabs need salt water, but this is not true. All hermit crabs, including the purple mite crab (Coenobita clypeatus), require salt water. Many crabs drink salt water for hours before molting. And their water supply section of the shell has a certain balance of iron. By providing salt water to the crayfish, you allow them to choose which water they would like to drink. Leave the water overnight until it reaches room temperature and the salt dissolves.

Place food in the dish. Hermit crabs are omnivorous scavengers that digest nutrients from any available food, both in the wild and in captivity. Feed the crayfish everything you eat yourself, not sugary, seasoned, salty foods, or canned food. They love grapes and blueberries, as well as most unsalted nuts. Apples are also a favorite fruit. They like many vegetables, and seafood, in general, is extremely necessary in their diet. It is better that their diet, if possible, be as varied as possible - this way they will receive all the necessary nutrients. Give them meat whenever possible, and you can also feed them plain cereals, rice, pasta and oatmeal. Many hermits love special food for T-Rex crayfish. You can write down what they like and don't like and experiment with different foods. Hermit crabs eat very little and in small quantities. It usually takes hermit crabs several hours to eat half a packet of cornflakes. So, don't think that your hermit crabs are starving just because they always have food in reserve! However, remember to change the products every 24 hours to prevent contamination of the tank.

Install a heating source. Hermit crabs are tropical creatures found in places like the Caribbean and the Florida Keys. They need a temperature that ranges between 24-29 degrees Celsius. Most likely, your apartment is not warm enough for these creatures, and you will need an additional heating source. If you have a 40-liter aquarium, then for heating it is best to use a heater located under the aquarium. These are small pads attached to the outside of the aquarium that usually raise the temperature by 4-6 degrees. I would recommend placing the apparatus at the bottom of the aquarium. Even under a thick layer of substrate the heater will be effective. When placed outdoors, the heater heats the air outside rather than inside the aquarium. You can also use tungsten filament heaters, which can heat any size tank to any temperature. But such heaters have one significant drawback: they quickly dry out the air. When using heat lamps, be sure to select the correct wattage. 40 W will be enough for a 40 liter aquarium. Make sure the heat source is on one side of the aquarium and not in the middle. This is necessary so that different parts of the aquarium have different temperatures, and the crayfish can be where they like. No matter what type of heater you use, be sure to purchase a thermometer/hydrometer to determine the air temperature in your aquarium.

Add shells. Hermit crabs do not produce their own shells. They take them from dead gastropods, such as snails. In captivity they should have a large selection of shells. The hermit crab should be the perfect size for the shell. If its legs are showing a little and you can see its eyes, the hermit crab will be looking for a new shell. Simply throw new shells into the tank and the hermit crab will pick up replacements when it's ready. Crayfish with purple ticks like shells with a round hole, while Ecuadorian hermit crabs like shells with an oval hole. From time to time, you can dip the shells in salt water to attract the attention of the crayfish.

Prepare the aquarium and wait. Spray the walls of the aquarium with a spray bottle. Turn on the heater and wait at least 45 minutes. Condensation will form on the inside of the aquarium as a result of the heater operating, and the humidity level will increase. Hermit crabs breathe through reinforced gills that only function properly if the air is moist. The humidity level that hermit crabs prefer is approximately 77% - 88%, but under no circumstances should it be lower than 70%. By keeping the sand and water dishes wet, the humidity level should remain within an acceptable range. If it goes down, use the spray bottle again. Once the temperature and humidity have reached the desired range, move on to the last step.

1. Get hermit crabs. Hermit crabs don't live up to their name. They are quite social creatures who definitely need the company of other hermit crabs. It is best to have five hermits to observe their social behavior. Hermits of all sizes, species and genders can live happily together. Buy any healthy crayfish. Any cancer that has antennae vibrating at different frequencies is considered healthy. If the crayfish is hanging loosely from the shell, it is almost dead. When picked up, healthy crayfish immediately hide in the shell, although sometimes they can stick out with trembling antennae. This is a sign that Cancer is healthy and social. Take these crayfish for yourself. All you have to do is place the crayfish in the aquarium!

   • You can add live algae to your aquarium for hermit crabs to feed on.
   • Place a large branch in the corner and throw artificial plants over it so that the crayfish can climb on it. After all, hermit crabs are also called Tree Crabs!
   • Create a second tier using a wall wire bracket attached to the glass sides of the tank. You can fill it with moss or coconut fiber. Place a branch as a ladder and you're done!
   • Keep a sheet of plastic over the housing lid to prevent escape.
   • Add artificial plants that stick to the sides of the aquarium to give it a natural look. Hermit crabs will also climb them.
   • Let your hermit crab get lost once. Remove it from the aquarium.
   • Join the hermit crab forum. There you can communicate with other crayfish owners on any topic.
   • Do not use sponges to wet the aquarium. They need to be cleaned often. It is better to use moss for this. It moisturizes well and does not require frequent cleaning.
   • Place the heater placed under the aquarium to the side.

Cancer hermit. African hermit crab. I am glad to welcome you to the pages of the aquarist’s blog Aqua-As. Today I would like to tell you about another amazing and useful thing in a marine aquarium hermit crab Calcinus Laevimanus, although more often it is simply called African hermit crab. Why is this type of hermit so remarkable? Let’s figure it out together.

African hermit crab, general information.

This species of hermits is just like other representatives of the genus Calcinus have eyes located on long, brightly colored stalks; the second distinctive feature of cancer is that its left claw is much larger in size than the right. The claws are colored dark blue and white; the body of the crayfish itself is dark blue. The African hermit crab does not grow as large as the blue-toed crab, but it is larger than the hermit crab. Clibanarius africanus. Cancers Calcinus live in the surf zone.

Hermit crab in a marine aquarium.

Hermits of this species are simply ideal for keeping, and due to the fact that this is a small species of crayfish, it can be successfully kept even in small aquariums, that is, in. In addition to the fact that the African crayfish maintains cleanliness in the aquarium by feeding on lower algae, tearing them off from living stones and the soil of the aquarium, it also feeds very effectively on detritus.

At the same time, it does not damage the corals. Sometimes a crayfish can push off a loose frag of a coral, but this happens much less frequently than, for example, from the same blue-toed crayfish, which, moving around the aquarium, sweeps away everything in its path.

In the video, the blue-toed hermit crab.

This species of hermits is very interesting to observe; they are active both at night and during the day. A crayfish recently placed in an aquarium quickly gets used to it; it instantly finds out where in the aquarium it is possible to profit from something and, in a precise time, will be where there is a chance of getting food. For example, I feed my fish twice a day in the morning at about 10 - 11 o'clock and in the evening at 7 - 8 o'clock, the cancer knows this very well and at this time sits in the place near the front window where the current carries brine shrimp, minced meat or dry food.

It seems to me that hermit crabs of this species should definitely be included in the team of cleaners; he copes with his duties as an aquarium orderly one hundred percent. I have this cancer living with a hermit. clibanarius africanus and a couple of snails, together they keep the aquarium clean very well.

As the hermit grows, it needs to be provided with shells of different sizes, although it does not grow as actively as the blue-toed one. A selection of shells should be present. By the way, a hermit can change shells several times a day, you will see this in the video. Many hermits can kill snails in order to take possession of their shells. For the entire time the African hermit was kept, not even a hint of an attempt at aggression towards the snails was noticed. Perhaps it is the presence of a sufficient number of shells to choose from, or perhaps the unique structure of the Tsiprey shell is not suitable for this crayfish and is of little interest.

And in conclusion, although it is more difficult to purchase these crayfish than the same blue-toed crayfish, if you come across them on sale, you will definitely not regret it, but on the contrary, you will get a small useful and interesting resident of the marine aquarium.

Videos hermit crab Calcinus Laevimanus African.

And in this video, two hermit crabs fought over a piece of squid.

And the last very interesting video in which a hermit crab changes its shell to a new one.

This concludes my post about keeping this wonderful species of hermit crab in a marine aquarium.

A reef aquarium is a source of joy, and inhabitants such as hermit crabs provide many positives: inexpensive, hardy, long-lived and, importantly, beneficial. It's always nice to notice a hermit in a new shell one morning - that means everything is as it should be.

Almost any reef aquarium is home to hermit crabs, the main “cleaners” of the aquarium; they often appear after an aquarium owner communicates on a forum, where they advise placing a “handful” of crayfish in any new aquarium where algae problems arise. Often, hermits are the hardest working inhabitants of the aquarium, although many people underestimate them. In my article I will try to explain my warm attitude towards these amazing creatures, very harmoniously arranged and often brightly colored.

Clibanarius tricolor (Blue-legged hermit crab). The most common species in pet stores, also known as the "dwarf blue-legged hermit crab", C. tricolor is considered a staple in the aquarium, although some authors caution against creating excessive competition between individuals for food and available shells, suggesting limiting the number of hermits: no more than 1 individual, or even less, per 10 gallons (about 38 l) of water (Shimek R., 2009).

Scientific classification
Hermit crabs are closer to lobsters and porcelain crabs than to true crabs (brachyurids); Six families of hermit crabs are grouped into the superfamily Paguroidea, which includes more than 1,100 known species:

. Coenobitidae - 2 genera of terrestrial hermit crabs, including the largest known arthropod, Birgus latro.
Diogenidae - 20 genera of "left-handed hermits", including the well-known aquarium species Clibanarius tricolor (blue-legged hermit crab).
Paguridae - 76 genera, including red-legged hermit crabs, Paguristes cadenati and P. digueti.
Parapaguridae - 10 genera of deep-sea hermits, some of which are associated with deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
Pylochelidae - 10 genera of hermits that show no particular interest in shells and prefer wood, sponges or bamboo.
Pylojacquesidae - 2 genera, each with one species.

Biology

Hermit crabs inhabit all seas and oceans, with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Many genera of land-dwelling hermits are quite remarkable and play an important role in the pet trade. However, this article is dedicated to marine hermit crabs.

The main and most noticeable characteristic of hermit crabs is their dependence on a rigid structure for shelter and protection from predators. In most cases, hermits use the shells of gastropods, such as whelks, snails or newts, although they are not always limited to them. It has been observed that hermits of the order Pylochelidae use Dentalium vulgare shells, pieces of bamboo or even living sponges. Representatives of the Pagurids family, in particular Discorsopagurus schmitti, colonize the tubes of tube worms such as Sabellidae, and sometimes unceremoniously make their way to living stones.

Hermit crab Calcinus elegans. A very attractive species, but be careful - quite often it targets certain types of snails that benefit the aquarium. In this case, a member of Calcinus elegans destroyed Turbo fluctuosa before occupying its shell. Beginner aquarists often choose C. elegans because of its small size, and as time passes, they get rid of it.

Certain species, such as Ciliopagurus strigatus (red-legged hermit crab), have special requirements for the shell. This hermit, a dandy in yellow and red stockings, is quite common in pet stores, where it is sometimes offered as the Hawaiian hermit crab.

Needless to say, hermits usually do not expect the shell to free itself - before moving to a new “home,” they simply “evict” the shell’s owners and eat them. There are cases of transfer of free shells, more often in terrestrial species, when the largest individual moves into a larger shell, leaving its home vacant for the next largest individual, which, accordingly, leaves its shell for smaller hermits - this situation is advantageous for everyone. A similar change of shells can also occur in an aquarium, when during the night all the hermits “move” into new shells.

Living in a “removable” shell has serious advantages: hermits do not need to enlarge their scutum and take care of it, as other arthropods do; although on the other hand, hermits are forced to limit themselves to only “available” shells. In a situation where there are not enough free shells, the hermits will begin to evict small inhabitants from the shells, since without a shell, hermit crabs are easy prey for predators. The transition to a larger shell is necessary when the hermit sheds its hard exoskeleton; Often, only by finding the remains of the cover, aquarists begin to think about the hidden morphology of hermits. The inability to move into a larger shell slows growth and increases competition.

D.tinctor (anemone hermit crab). With five Calliactid sea anemones, this crab may be clumsy, but it is well protected.

Some hermits, such as Dardanus pedunculatus, use sea anemones (Calliactis sp.) as protection from predators. In this case, the sea anemones also benefit – they catch food particles from the crayfish. The hermit does not part with his sea anemone even when changing the shell, and, if possible, will increase the collection.

Hermit crabs use two pairs of legs to walk, the rest are used to move and hold the body in the shell. The claws (claw-like limbs) can be used as a "door" or lid to block the entrance to the shell in case of "retreat".

Hermit crabs reproduce through the dispersal of eggs by females. Cases of reproduction in aquariums occur quite often. The young shrimp, which resemble shrimp in appearance, will go through several stages of “molting” before they find their first shell.

Conservation in the wild

In general, marine hermit crabs are not endangered, although significant numbers of them are caught for aquarium use. Some authors are concerned about the numbers of blue-footed hermits off the coast of Florida. The catch of more than nine million fish in 2009 has raised concerns about the lack of natural algae controls on reefs, although this has not yet been proven.

Calcinus tibicen. Possibly safe for corals, but certainly not for snails.

Note that the left claw is superior to the right - the main morphological characteristic of this genus.

Coral compatibility

Small hermit crabs, such as C. tricolor and red-legged hermit crabs (P. Cadenati, P. digueti), are the most widely traded hermit crabs: they diligently dispose of uneaten food and dead organisms. In large aquariums, it is sometimes difficult to remove dead fish; hermit crabs, along with other “cleaners,” successfully perform this job. A reasonable number of hermits will not cause any serious problems to the reef aquarium owner, except that they may occasionally eat food caught by corals such as Catalaphylla. Here I would like to remind you that, as experience shows, all hermits are capable of killing other shell-bearing creatures; Thus, Ceriths receive increased attention from C. tricolor; and therefore “coral-safe” does not mean “snail-safe.”

Larger species, such as C. elegans, are considered harmless to corals, although observing a hermit dragging a large shell through fragile corals, destroying them, can cause an aquarist's blood pressure to skyrocket and result in the hermit's deportation. Even larger species, such as Petrochirus diogenes and Ciliopagurus strigatus, can pose an open threat due to their large size and ability to damage corals and even knock over live rocks if they are not firmly anchored.

As always, some aquarists have no problem with hermits, while others cannot cope with them. To preserve the corals and ensure a happy life for the hermits, place a sufficient number of empty shells of varying sizes in the aquarium so that the hermits can change “homes” as they grow. A variety of shells are suitable for hermits, but in my experience, it is worth going to the sea and collecting mollusk shells, such as Littorina littorea and Nucella lapillus. Gastropod shells, Murex, Ceriths and Top Shells are also great for hermits.

As already mentioned, without a sufficient number of empty shells and food, it will be difficult for hermits, so you should not overload the aquarium with these creatures; a few specimens will be enough. I believe that many hermits are starving in modern aquariums with low nutrient levels; as a rule, hermits are only placed in the aquarium when necessary. In other words, when there is enough waste in the aquarium, the hermits will be able to survive, but if there is not enough food for them, and the owner of the aquarium maintains low nutrient levels, they will die. The outlook for many "aquarium guardians" is quite dismal; millions of snails sold as "Turbo" will face the same problem - not to become an appetizer for hermit crabs.

Dardanus lagopodes. This species is rarely found in pet stores.

Hermits are very sensitive to copper-containing drugs; it is believed that they can exist in water conditions that are far from ideal; In their natural environment, they are easier to find in coastal waters than among corals.

Hermit Crab Festival

Hermits are an inexhaustible source of delight and surprise; their appearance amuses. I feed my hermits a spirulina tablet from time to time; Having felt the presence of algae in the water, the hermits take off and start a race. The lucky owner of the tablet will hold it, despite the surgeon fish, who are absolutely happy to have someone holding the algae in a stationary position.

A reef aquarium is a source of joy, and inhabitants such as hermit crabs provide many positive things: inexpensive, hardy, long-lived and, importantly, beneficial. It's always nice to notice a hermit in a new shell one morning - that means everything is as it should be.

Enjoy your hermit crabs and enjoy these amazing creatures: take good care of them and they will look after your aquarium for many years to come.

Cancer hermit(English: Hermit Crab) is a very unusual small sea crayfish, which, as protection, carries behind itself a house consisting of an empty shell. There are many types of hermit crabs, but some of them are better suited for marine aquariums, others - worse. If you are looking for something that would help you keep your aquarium clean, then try getting Red-legged hermit crabs(red-legged hermit crab) or Blue-legged hermit crabs(blue-legged hermit crab). In an aquarium, as in nature, they will absorb everything that is on the surface of living rocks and on the ground, namely seaweed and detritus.

Red-legged hermit crabs are vegetarians and love to eat cyanobacteria - red seaweed. If you have a relatively new aquarium, then to prevent hermits from starving, supplement their diet with dried algae. You should also remember that crayfish grow, and therefore they periodically need to change their shell to a larger one. To prevent them from having problems with this, place a few extra empty shells of different sizes in the aquarium.

Don’t waste time on acclimatizing new hermit crabs to your aquarium. Let this process take longer, but they will not experience pH shock.

Medicines in an aquarium with hermit crabs, as with other invertebrates, it is better not to use, or do it very carefully. Remember that any medicine can kill them in the shortest possible time.

Some types of hermit crabs:

• (scientific Clibanarius spp or English Mexican red leg hermit crab)

• (scientific Clibanarius infraspinatus or English-striped hermit crab)

• (scientific Clibanarius sp. or English Tawny hermit crab)

• (scientific Clibanarius longitarsus or English Blue-stripped hermit crab)

• (scientific Clibanarius sp. or English All-black hermit crab)

• (scientific Clibanarius cruentatus or English Gold-spotted hermit crab)

Hermit crab - photo.

Hermit crab - video.

Hermit crab - keeping in an aquarium.

Scientific name: Clibanarius spp.

Other names: Dwarf Tip Hermit Crab.

Hermit Crab Care Level: easy. Well suited for marine beginners, but before introducing the crayfish into the aquarium, it is imperative to undergo a slow drip acclimatization (an hour or longer) to get used to the parameters of the aquarium water. Don't be alarmed if you notice that your hermit crab is molting.

Hermit crabs live: 2-4 years, but maybe longer.

Size: up to 3cm (1 inch).

pH level: 8,1-8,4.

t 0: 22-27 0 C (72-80 0 F).

Specific gravity: 1,022-1,025.

Habitats of Clibanarius: tropical and subtropical ocean waters.

Hermit Crab Temperament/Behavior: very peaceful.

Reproduction of hermit crabs: difficult to breed.

Aquarium size: 50l for one individual.

Hermit crab compatibility: Although they have a protective shell, care should be taken if you plan to keep them with more aggressive marine invertebrates.

Diet/Food for Hermit Crab: they tend to rummage through

The body of hermit crabs is predominantly soft; they do not have a durable shell, so most species protect their abdomen with empty shells. They hunt with them, and they also take refuge in them in case of danger. Three pairs of limbs, including claws, usually protrude from the shell. The crayfish hunts with its left claw, and with its right claw it protects the entrance to the shell. During the process of evolution, hermits have greatly shortened their hind legs. It is with them that they now hold the shell when moving.

Habitats

Hermit crabs are found in the waters of the Baltic, Northern, and Mediterranean seas, off the islands of the Caribbean, and on the coasts of Europe. As a rule, they choose shallow water and only some species prefer a depth of 70-80 meters.

Nutrition

Hermit crabs are predators. They eat mollusks, worms, and other crustaceans. In addition, they are scavengers. By eating the remains that decompose off the coast, crayfish thereby help maintain cleanliness in the area.

Hermit crab shell

Hermit crabs choose the shells of about 25 species of mollusks as shelter. Without them, they are very vulnerable and easily become prey. The main selection criterion is the ratio of the internal volume to the weight of the sink.

Since the hermit crab is constantly growing, it is regularly in search of a new shell. Usually, immediately after molting, he begins to look for a more spacious home. If there are a lot of shells where it is located, then the replacement process occurs quickly and without problems. But if there are no shells, then the hermit crab looks closely at other similar crayfish. If he finds someone whose shell is clearly not the right size, then with special taps he offers his brother an exchange. If the neighbor agrees, he comes out of the shell. However, if something does not suit him, the hermit crab blocks the entrance with its claw. Very often there are real fights between crayfish for a cozy living space.

Symbiosis of hermit crabs and sea anemones

Very often, hermit crabs settle on sea anemones, which protect them from enemies. Sea anemones, in turn, move very quickly with them in search of prey. Sea anemones have poisonous tentacles that paralyze the victim. Some crayfish prefer to settle the sea anemone directly on the claw, with which they block the entrance to the shell in case of danger. If it is necessary to change the shell, then the hermit crab carefully carries its neighbor to its new home with its claw. Very often, hermit crabs that have not found a shell for themselves settle an anemone directly on their body.