Hermit crabs are fascinating creatures that have a unique reproductive process Understanding how hermit crabs reproduce can help crab owners better care for their pets In this complete guide, we’ll walk through the hermit crab reproductive cycle from start to finish.
An Overview of Hermit Crab Reproduction
Hermit crabs reproduce sexually through mating between a male and female crab. The female crab carries fertilized eggs on her abdomen until they are ready to hatch. The eggs hatch into larvae that go through various development stages in the ocean. After several molts and transitions, they emerge from the water as juvenile crabs to live on land.
The full reproductive process takes 1-2 months and happens seasonally, typically in spring and summer. Hermit crabs reach sexual maturity around 1-2 years old. They can store sperm to fertilize multiple batches of eggs over time.
Captive breeding of hermit crabs is very rare and challenging. Providing proper mating conditions and raising larvae is difficult. However, a few hobbyists have managed to breed pet hermit crabs with dedication and special equipment.
How Hermit Crabs Mate
Mating occurs when a male and female hermit crab position themselves face-to-face. The male uses his modified legs to transfer a sperm packet, called a spermatophore, directly to the female’s gonopores.
Mating may take place right before or after the female releases a mature egg clutch. If successful, the spermatophore fertilizes the eggs as the female extrudes them. A female can store sperm to fertilize multiple egg batches over several months.
Hermit crabs seem to mate more actively during seasonal migrations to and from the ocean. However, they may also mate randomly throughout the year if conditions are right. The mating ritual can last minutes to hours depending on the species.
Hermit Crab Egg Development
Once a female hermit crab is fertilized, she carries hundreds to thousands of eggs attached to hair-like swimmerets on her abdomen. The orange, bean-shaped eggs take 4-8 weeks to develop.
As they mature, the eggs increase in size and shift color from orange to brown or black. When ready to hatch, the female crab heads to the ocean to release the eggs. The larvae immediately emerge if the eggs contact sea water.
Hermit Crab Larval Stages
Hermit crab larvae go through several distinct stages as they grow in the ocean:
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Zoea: The freshly hatched larvae are called zoea. They have a shrimp-like appearance and float freely in the water column. Zoea molt and grow through 4-5 stages over 2-6 weeks.
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Megalopa: After the final zoea stage, the larvae transform into megalopa. These look more like true crabs with a curved abdomen and stalked eyes. The megalopa stage lasts 1-2 weeks.
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Juvenile crab: Following another molt, the crab emerges from the last larval stage as a true juvenile crab. At this point, it leaves its planktonic life and moves onto land.
Throughout these stages, the larvae feed on plankton and live much of their life adrift at the whims of ocean currents. This helps disperse hermit crabs to new coastal areas.
Raising Hermit Crab Larvae in Captivity
Raising hermit crab larvae is extremely challenging for the average pet owner. Each zoeal stage requires specific salinity, temperature, lighting, and microscopic food sources. Water quality must be pristine to prevent disease and death.
After hatching, the delicate larvae are moved into individual containers of sterile saltwater. They are fed infusoria, phytoplankton, microalgae, and other microscopic food sources every few hours. Zoea are very prone to stress, malnutrition, and water fouling, so diligent care is required.
As they mature through developmental stages, larvae are moved to larger containers. Salinity is slowly reduced to match each stage’s needs. If any larvae successfully transition to megalopa and juvenile crabs, they are moved to land enclosures.
Juvenile Hermit Crab Care
Newly emerged juvenile crabs are tiny – often smaller than a dime. They are kept in small nursery cages on moist coconut fiber substrate with both fresh and salt water pools. Juveniles require high humidity, stable temperatures, appropriate shells, and a varied diet of protein-rich foods to support growth.
Even if you manage to hatch eggs, raising larvae through all oceanic stages is extremely difficult. Purchasing captive-bred juvenile crabs is an easier alternative for most home crab owners. Responsible breeders take care of the delicate larval phases.
Breeding Hermit Crabs in Captivity
While breeding land hermit crabs is possible, it is very challenging for the average hobbyist. Specific conditions are required to stimulate mating and hatch eggs:
- Large species-appropriate habitat
- Prime temperature and humidity
- Natural day/night light cycles
- Varied and nutrient-rich diet
- Stimulating environment with shells, toys, and climbing areas
- Right combination of sexually mature crabs that accept each other
Even if crabs successfully mate, the owner must have the specialized equipment and expertise necessary to hatch eggs and raise larvae through their planktonic stages. It requires a huge time commitment as well.
Despite the difficulties, a select group of experienced hermit crab breeders have managed to breed and raise larvae of certain Coenobita species. With future advances in the hobby, captive breeding may become more common.
In Summary
Hermit crabs have a fascinating reproductive journey that starts with terrestrial mating and finishes with fully aquatic larval development. While breeding pet hermit crabs is very difficult, understanding their reproductive biology can help crab owners better meet their crabs’ needs in captivity. With dedication and passion, more hobbyists may someday find success producing these captivating creatures.
Community Q&ASearch
- Question Why do the babies need to be separated from their parents for 40 days?
Community Answer So they dont eat them or kill them. Dont take any risks. - Question Is it hard to pull the eggs off? Will the mother claw at me?
Community Answer You shouldnt be pulling them off of her, this can damage the eggs. Try dipping her in the water upside down and flushing the eggs out. If that doesnt work let her try again herself. - Question Every where I look it says you can not breed hermit crabs in captivity. Does this really work?
Community Answer Its possible. The most common problem is the two crabs dont want to mate, they are not sexually mature, or they arent interested in each other. Some successful attempts have been done with many crabs and multiple tries.
- Using another tank for mating can end up stressing out your crabs and cause them to not breed. They may do better in their main tank where conditions are perfect and they can choose who they breed with, which can be multiple females at once.
- You can breed hermit crabs but it is extremely hard. The environment must be just right. It must be the perfect temperature, perfect set up—if anything’s wrong or they don’t like anything they won’t breed.
- Do not use heat lamps for your crabs, as it can cause burns. Instead, attach a heat pad to the back of the tank.
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- It is very difficult but not quite impossible to breed hermit crabs in captivity, so don’t get your hopes up too much! Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
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To breed hermit crabs, start by setting up a 10-gallon tank filled with 2 inches of sand, a bowl of aquarium saltwater, and some decorations like branches and vines. Keep the tank between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and mist the tank with water regularly so it maintains 70 percent humidity. Once youve set up the tank, place a mature male and female hermit crab inside and wait for them to mate. Keep in mind that breeding hermit crabs in captivity can be tricky, so you may need to try multiple pairs of crabs before anything happens. To learn how to take care of hermit crab larvae, scroll down!
How Do Hermit Crabs Reproduce? – The Marine Life Explorer
FAQ
How do hermit crabs reproduce?
How do you know if your hermit crabs are mating?
Will hermit crabs breed in a tank?
• Hermit crabs don’t mate in captivity
For a significant period, this was believed to be true. However, with the continuous advancement in education regarding these species and the increasing number of owners establishing appropriate habitats, hermit crabs are now beginning to breed comfortably in captivity.