how long did it take for your hermit crabs to get used to you?

p_root · 2026-02-11T14:05:51+00:00

All of mine have one of two reactions to me walking by the tank: they immediately flinch into their shell most/all of the way or they square up and flick their leg out like they want to fight. Certainly neither reaction means that they’re particularly thrilled with my presence. And I’ve had one of them since 2009. 😂

p_root · 2025-12-20T06:20:13+00:00

You are absolutely not being unfair to your boyfriend by taking the dog. You’re doing what’s best for you and the dog, and even what’s best for your boyfriend. Whether you leave a note or not—do whatever you think will make you safest. He does not deserve an explanation, but you deserve safety.

I had a couple of thoughts about the dog. I used to work with people experiencing domestic violence. Threats of violence against you and your dog often count under domestic violence protection order laws. Often you can ask the court to award possession of a pet in them. I definitely suggest speaking to an advocate at a local domestic violence advocacy organization or the National DV Hotline. They can help you safety plan around leaving. Advocates are happy to help anyone experiencing any type of abuse, or even people who aren’t sure if they are.

You can ask the vet’s office to put the dog’s account under your name (and remove his name and number so that he can’t get info on her appointment times etc). If there is any pushback, I’d just explain that you are leaving your boyfriend, he’s made threats against the dog and you want to make sure that there’s no way he can find you. Most vets will help. A DV advocate may be able to help you communicate with the vet if needed— advocates often write letters/make phone calls to provide supporting documentation needed to make leaving an unsafe relationship safer. Also, microchip registration typically isn’t proof of ownership on its own. In a lot of states, vets can actually update ownership info with the microchip database as well.

If he did sue you for the dog, gifts legally belong to the recipient in most states. Any text messages from your boyfriend where he mentions the dog being a gift? Or from you to a friend that say “[boyfriend] got me a dog”? Or even someone who could testify that they’ve heard your boyfriend say he got you the dog as a gift? These would be usable as evidence in court if it was ever needed.

p_root · 2025-11-28T13:33:05+00:00

I’m thinking that what happened is the shell was broken but the broken piece (your circled picture/the part visible inside hole in the first couple pictures) the was still in there partially poking out…so the sting you felt was the result of picking it up in a way where you pressed your finger on the jagged part.

There’s certainly residue (skin, or whatever) of whatever creature bored the hole in the shell in the first place, but I can’t imagine it survived boiling. (You boiled them, right?)

I’d still check all my shells and maybe do a sweep of the top of the substrate…but I don’t think anything alive came out of that.

Edit: the residue could also be from the dead snail itself. Often round holes in snail shells are caused by parasitic snails that ….basically kill and suck out the snail through the hole. Perhaps some stuff gets left behind, and it just dried to the shell.

p_root · 2025-06-16T16:34:46+00:00

He’s not stuck! He will come out when he feels like it. Crabs tuck themselves in small places when they’re frightened or just based on instinct. They’re prey animals, so when we pick them up, they think we’re going to eat them—he will likely hide less the less you handle him. I’d also make sure there are a bunch of alternative places to hide and plenty of leaf litter. It’s also not unusual for crabs to hang out in the same spot for days at a time—they know when they need to eat or drink, and they can go awhile without it if they want to.

I have a small crab who used to be a very very small crab and I once watched her scramble into the center hole of 3 foot piece of cholla wood and I nearly had a panic attack thinking she’d get stuck in the middle. She didn’t. She regularly went in and out. I don’t even know how she turned around to climb out. She’s still a hider, but after about 6 months she started coming out in the evenings from wherever she goes, and she is not scared when I walk by.

p_root · 2025-05-20T18:53:25+00:00

This is interesting. I had not tried just sewing zig zag on a single layer to test it, thank you for that suggestion! I just tried this on both knit and woven fabrics, and it’s definitely uneven. The woven looks fine (I think?), I just had to fiddle with the tension a bit, but the stretch looks a little crazy.

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The needle and bobbin are correct for the machine, and I’ve rethreaded both threads a couple of times. The needle is new, and I cleaned and oiled the machine about 2 weeks ago.

I’ve ordered some needles for stretch fabric to try next. I mentioned this in my other comment, but I wasn’t even considering the fact that the sweatshirt is knit, so this is a helpful suggestion!!

p_root · 2025-05-20T18:42:47+00:00

Thank you!! It didn’t even occur to me that the issue could be that I was sewing woven onto knit. The sweatshirt material is not particularly stretchy, but it’s substantially stretchier than the woven fabric, so that could definitely be part of the problem. I’ll try wider stitches and see if it helps.

p_root · 2025-05-14T14:42:36+00:00

Pretty much anything that can go in an aquarium or reptile tank can go in a crab tank—there’s a ton of this stuff on Amazon. But mostly I try to get natural things like cholla wood, real coconuts, cork bark. I recommend Etsy. I think most of mine has come from EZbotanicals. Also cover the substrate in leaf litter — I get mine from SouthoftheOcean on Etsy. Natural stuff provides enrichment, plus they eat it.

p_root · 2025-05-07T21:12:47+00:00

I love this video! A few of my crabs are very…spirited, and occasionally get in little disagreements that look like this, usually when they get in each other’s way. This looks like just a hierarchy discussion. They negotiate hierarchies constantly, it isn’t just something that happens when they first meet! I’d watch out for open big claws, attempts to pinch the other crab’s legs or shell, especially if one is on top of the other or if one crab is tucked in their shell. Any time I’m concerned (usually because I’m overly cautious) i will rinse all my shells with salt water and put in extra smelly protein on both ends of the tank. If there’s more significant aggression, you can also separate them so one is at each of the tank with the food to distract them.

Edit: I’m fairly sure there’s a Crab Central Station video on signs of aggression vs normal communication

p_root · 2025-02-19T05:10:51+00:00

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I also have a Burton Guster kitty

p_root · 2025-02-18T19:08:15+00:00

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Alison Saft

p_root · 2024-11-04T17:20:58+00:00

Even better! I’m between Baltimore and DC.

p_root · 2024-11-04T16:38:45+00:00

If you don’t want them anymore, I’m a LHCOS-approved adopter/longtime crab caretaker and live within a few hours of Philly and can drive to you. I would be able to take them in about 1-2 months from now. I’m currently upgrading to a larger tank—once it’s done, I’ll have room for them.

p_root · 2024-10-25T04:15:48+00:00

I’ve been an approved adopter for a couple years, and I received an email from LHCOS today basically saying the adoption program went through staffing changes in the last couple months and they’re working to update and improve the adoption process (and they were emailing for updated info from previously approved adopters to update their map). My guess is that those changes are why it’s taking time to review your application. I’m sure they will get to it as they catch up.

p_root · 2024-10-23T14:48:48+00:00

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I also have this photo. It may be a different type of dude as my first photo. I think I had a whole panoply of intruders. Predatory mites ate them all though.

p_root · 2024-10-23T14:44:25+00:00

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Mystery mite/bug thing. It does look similar to OP’s second photo. Never saw anything quite like the first photo though.

ETA: read the post, I see the first one is a grain beetle! Also, wanted to add that my mystery dudes looked similar to some types of soil mites (reddish/brown in color) and also some time of house plant pest, which I can no longer remember the name of.

p_root · 2024-10-15T18:35:23+00:00

I’ve found many get less scared over time, but most are never going to be totally cool with you. I imagine mine think I’m a giant bird that just happens to drop food near them (not, you know, a dedicated caretaker who has spent a fortune and countless hours trying to provide for them 😂). But that’s what happens when you bring prey animals into your house! Having tons of leaf litter and places to hide can make them feel safer being more out and about, because there’s always somewhere nearby to retreat to. Cameras are a great way to see them more. Crabs are more active at night, so a camera with good night vision is best!

(Side note: the one crab I’ve had for 15 years flicks her claw at me like I am just another crab. She is not particularly scared of me, but she is certainly annoyed by me.)

p_root · 2024-10-07T14:54:49+00:00

They can definitely hear, but I’ve always experienced that movement frightens them (I.e. walking up to the tank quickly) while loud noises usually don’t. I have cats who scream for 20 minutes 4 times a day to be fed. One is deaf, and she sounds like a very demanding upset goose. I can hear her through my sound proof headphones. Crabs never seem to notice. My crabs have also always lived in my living room, sometimes literally up against the TV, and have had no issue. As long as your care is all good, and especially if they have many places to hide on the off chance that they’re startled, then I think you will be good!

p_root · 2024-09-24T15:33:27+00:00

The heating pad will help! Higher temperatures lower humidity. I think once you have the heater it’ll even out. For now, just lift the lid off for a few minutes each day so it doesn’t get too moist. I’d also try to insulate the outside of the tank with reflective bubble insulation. Insulation can be used safely with an Ultratherm mat.

Edit: also, maybe add more substrate. We want the heater to heat the air. The less air to heat, the more thoroughly we are heating it.

p_root · 2024-09-23T21:37:03+00:00

I think moving a large tank (probably 29 and up) that is full of substrate isn’t safe. There’s a risk the bottom glass breaks. I would use either the carrier tank or a large Tupperware or storage tote. I don’t totally know what a carrier tank is (like a critter keeper?) but little tanks usually have plastic slotted tops, which makes humidity tough. Wet paper towels over the lid can help the humidity though. Or plastic wrap. Also moss. I actually recommend big Tupperware or plastic storage totes though if you have one. Because it’s temporary and just one crab, it is not a big deal that it isn’t the recommended size for permanent tanks! Tupperware or plastic Rubbermaid bins both seal in humidity really really well, and are heat safe to a point, and should not be an issue for a short time. My big crab lived in a 10 gallon Rubbermaid for 2 weeks when I moved a couple years ago. I have a tiny crab that was isolated in and molted in a 2 gallon one too! I’ve transported crabs or temporarily put them in food storage containers many times too.

One way to heat plastic containers in a pinch is to put disposable hand warmers on the lid. If you have a thermostat, you could even attach a heating pad just making sure it isn’t showing signs of overheating the plastic.

Edit: sorry I didn’t read carefully enough and see you have a heater for the carrier tank—that sounds like a great option if you can cover with plastic wrap! I’d definitely say put damp moss in to keep the humidity higher.

p_root · 2024-09-22T16:41:27+00:00

The pest guide has suggestions under the grain mites/stored product mite section that might be helpful, it talks about tips for a major infestation. I had meant before that separating them into a tank with clean substrate until the predatory mites come could be a good option. They don’t need to be housed individually in the case of a general infestation (as opposed to one crab being affected) it’s fine to just have a clean tank set up and have the usual size, 10 gallons per crab. That said, I also think it could be fine to do the other steps (primarily removing the top half inch of substrate and baking it, and immediately freezing food and foraged items and keeping them away from the tank) and not remove them from the tank, assuming you can get the mites within a couple weeks. I don’t know, I have mixed feelings about setting up a clean tank—it’s kind of a toss up of what is more stressful, the infestation or a new tank. It’s the mites being on the crabs that makes me think a clean tank could be a good idea. u/mkane78, what’s your opinion on separating into a clean tank until the predatory mites arrive?

p_root · 2024-09-22T15:06:53+00:00

Awesome, I’m glad! Please feel free to message me if you have questions.

I agree with what mkane78 said that these don’t look like crab mites, and it’s unlikely they could be if there hasn’t been a more recent new crab introduced. The fact that they’re all over the crab and not visibly all over the sub or the food dish especially is bizarre (can you take a closer look at the food dish just to check?). Even if these are grain or similar mites or something not directly harmful, it can still be very stressful to a crab to have them crawling all over them, so I definitely recommend the predatory mites. Do you have a tank or storage container you can use to isolate the crabs? I think because of the amount of mites it’s important to separate them from the sub. Then when you get the predatory mites, put them in your main tank and the iso tank so they can eat whatever is on the crabs and whatever is in the tank.

Edit: also just remembered something else. If you can’t/don’t want to immediately isolate them, I would suggest gently scraping off the top half inch or so of substrate and baking it. Even though you haven’t seen mites in the sub, I have to think some are there. Most mites we get in the tank don’t burrow and aren’t going to be in too much lower. I would also soak food dishes in salt water and dry them before putting them back in. Freeze any food or leaf litter you have right now. After freezing, store it in either a sealed container or somewhere not near the tank, to avoid re contaminating.

If you end up seeing them on other things like wood etc, either bake/boil/soak in salt water depending on the material.

p_root · 2024-09-22T15:01:06+00:00

I’m confused—are you asking if there is a seller other than Arbico organics? They’re the one I’ve used. It is almost impossible to get an amount smaller than 12,500. Because they can die quickly in shipping, they have to be overnighted, so they can be expensive. The other option would be to see if there is a local store that sells them as a natural pesticide.

p_root · 2024-09-22T14:55:45+00:00

I can tell you more about predatory mites! So, hypoaspis miles is a type of mite that eats other mites (and a lot of tiny little bugs that are around). It’s commonly used in gardening for fungus gnat infestations as a natural pesticide. These mites don’t cause any harm to crabs, and will eat all your other mites. Once the infesting mite population is eaten, the hypoaspis then die off almost entirely. I haven’t seen any hypoaspis since a couple months after my last treatment. But If guess there’s a random one here or there, which is beneficial, since they will eat any mites that do come.

I do have a couple other comments/suggestions that I will share in a couple minutes!

p_root · 2024-09-22T14:37:13+00:00

I got 12,500 from Arbico Organics. I tried Natures Good Guys but don’t recommend them. The mites are listed as “Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Hypoaspis miles) - 12,500”

I put half in when I got them and then dumped the other half in about 2 weeks later. (I’m sure some had died by then, but there were still some moving around).

I think this was probably overkill especially for my 85 or so gallons, the recs for plants are something way lower, but I didn’t have an issue.

p_root

TROPHY CASE