Giving your hermit crab a bath is an important part of caring for these fascinating pets. Hermit crabs have unique needs when it comes to water and humidity so bathing them properly helps support their health. In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about bathing your hermit crab the right way.
Why Give Your Hermit Crab A Bath?
Hermit crabs require frequent bathing for a few key reasons:
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Hydration: Hermit crabs store water in their shells, so baths allow them to replenish their water supply with fresh, clean water. This is especially important after bringing home new crabs.
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Cleaning Baths give crabs a chance to clean themselves and remove any waste or debris they are carrying around
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Exercise: Many crabs become very active during bath time, using it as exercise and play time.
Bathing supports hydration, hygiene, and health for hermit crabs. It’s recommended to bathe them 1-2 times per week.
How To Bathe Your Hermit Crab
Bathing a hermit crab is a simple process, though there are some important guidelines to follow:
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Use dechlorinated water that has been treated to remove chemicals. Let tap water sit for 2 hours after adding dechlorinator before use.
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The ideal water temperature is room temperature, between 70-80°F. Avoid hot or cold water.
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Use only a shallow depth of water, no more than 1/4 of the way up your crab’s shell. Too much depth can drown them.
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Bathe crabs for 20-30 minutes at a time. They will become active when they are ready to get out.
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Provide something for them to climb out on, like decor items or a ramp. Don’t pull them out by their shell.
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Use a disposable container, or wash the bathing dish thoroughly after each use.
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Wash your hands before and after handling crabs to prevent spreading bacteria.
Follow these bathing best practices, and your hermit crabs will enjoy safe, healthy bath time. Never leave crabs unattended in water.
Setting Up A Bathing Routine
To make bath time easy, set up a bathing routine:
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Supplies: Have a plastic container, dechlorinator, and thermometer ready. Shallow dishes work better than deep bowls.
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Schedule: Pick set days of the week for baths, like Tuesday and Friday evenings. Consistency helps the crabs get accustomed to the process.
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Prep: Treat enough water for the bath earlier in the day. Let it sit for 2+ hours before use.
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Bath: When it’s time, fill the dish shallowly, collect your crabs, and monitor them in the bath for 20-30 minutes.
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Finish: Remove the crabs gently once they start trying to climb out. Return them to their enclosure.
By assembling supplies in advance and keeping to a schedule, you’ll find it’s simple to make hermit crab bath time a breeze.
Things To Avoid When Bathing Your Crab
While bathing hermit crabs, there are also some key mistakes to avoid:
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Don’t use untreated tap water, salt water, or conditioning products like Stress Coat. Stick to dechlorinated fresh water.
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Avoid temperature extremes. Lukewarm room temperature water is ideal.
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Don’t submerge crabs in deep water over 1⁄4 of their shell height. This can lead to drowning.
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Don’t bathe crabs for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
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Never leave crabs unattended in the bath water.
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Don’t pull crabs out of the water by their shell. Let them climb out themselves.
By steering clear of these bathing mistakes, you can ensure your crabs stay happy and healthy.
Signs Your Hermit Crab Enjoyed Its Bath
How can you tell if your crab appreciated its bath? Signs include:
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Increased activity: The crab walks around energetically and investigates its bath water. This shows engagement.
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Playing: It may blow bubbles, dunk underwater, or otherwise play in the shallow bath.
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Climbing out: Once finished, the crab will try to climb out of the bath on its own. This natural exit shows it got what it needed.
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Relaxation: Some crabs will rest or lounge in the water, indicating they are calm and content.
By observing your crab’s behavior during baths, you can get a sense of whether it is enjoying this hydrating experience. Relaxed, active crabs that exit naturally are signs of success.
Troubleshooting Issues With Crab Bath Time
If you notice your hermit crab acting agitated, scared, or anxious during baths, there may be an issue to troubleshoot:
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Check that water temperature is not too cold or hot.
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Reduce water volume if it is too deep over their shell.
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Make sure they have a way to climb out like a ramp or decor.
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Move the bath to a quieter, less busy area.
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Try a shallower dish to start if they seem uncertain.
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Avoid pulling them out against their will. Let them exit on their own.
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Double check water is dechlorinated and appropriately salty.
With minor adjustments to set up, water, and handling, an anxious crab can learn to relax and benefit during bath time.
Key Takeaways For Bathing Your Hermit Crab
To recap, these are the vital points to remember when learning how to bathe a hermit crab:
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Bathe 1-2 times per week in dechlorinated, room temperature fresh water.
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Use shallow water only 1/4 up the crab’s shell to prevent drowning.
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Let them soak 20-30 minutes then climb out when ready. Never pull them out.
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Set up a consistent bathing routine with supplies prepared in advance.
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Ensure they have ramps/decor to exit and stay with them the whole time.
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Signs of enjoyment include increased activity, playing, and voluntarily climbing out.
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Adjust set up if they seem scared or anxious until they are comfortable.
By following these bathing tips, you can give your hermit crab the hydrating soak it needs to stay healthy and happy!
Welcome To Your Hermit Crab Starter Kit Experience
It is important to give your crabs a bath upon arrival. They have had a long trip and need to replace the water they have stored in their shell with clean water. See ‘Give Your Crabs a Bath’ section.
A Hermit Crab’s Life
Hermit crabs are not actually ‘hermits’. They are very social creatures and like company. The hermit crabs shell is not actually part of its body – it is a borrowed snail shell that it uses to hide its soft tail in and store water. Hermit crabs grow by molting and need to move into a larger shell, so it is important to have slightly larger shells available in the habitat with them. Sometimes they just want a change and may try out the empty shells in the habitat. When a hermit crab molts, it will regenerate any lost limbs. Sometimes it takes a few molts, but they will all regrow. When crabs are ready to molt, they will bury themselves in the coconut fiber for 2-6 weeks, then when they emerge, they will shed their old exoskeleton and move into a larger shell. Crabs are most active at night – this is called being ‘nocturnal.’ Because they are active at night and can be noisy creatures, you may want to consider keeping the habitat out of a bedroom unless you are a sound sleeper. READ MORE
How To Give a Hermit Crab a Bath
FAQ
Should I wet my hermit crab?
Why does it need to be kept moist? Substrate should always be kept moist enough for a hermit crab to be able to dig underground and form a small cave. It needs to be damp enough that it holds its shape when you squeeze, but not so wet that it drips or pools water. (We call that “sandcastle consistency”.)
Do hermit crabs like to soak in water?
Hermit crabs require frequent baths in salt water in order to maintain their health, but there are some variables that may affect how often your hermit crab …
How should I give my hermit crab water?
You should provide them with dishes of dechlorinated water (both fresh water and salt water) deep enough that the water will flow into the crabs’ shell when the crab climbs into the dish. That is approximately one full inch of depth for large crabs, and a half-inch or less for smaller hermies.
Should I put a sponge in my hermit crab’s water?
Hello! IMO, sponges are unnecessary, and shouldn’t be used. You can use them outside of water, but it’s best not to use them. If not cleaned properly, they can grow harmful bacteria, and it’s a chore to clean them out each time you change the water.