Where Can I Buy a Hermit Crab? Your Guide to Getting a New Pet Crab

So you’re interested in getting a hermit crab as a pet? Hermit crabs can make great additions to your home with their quirky personalities and minimal care requirements. But before you bring one home it’s important to learn where to find healthy hermit crabs and how to set up their habitat properly. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find and buy a hermit crab!

What Kind of Hermit Crab Should I Get?

There are over 800 species of hermit crabs in the world, but only a few make good pets. The most common types sold at pet stores include

• Land hermit crabs These are terrestrial crabs that cannot survive underwater. Popular species are the Caribbean hermit crab Ecuadorian crab and purple pincher crab. They grow up to 6 inches wide.

• Marine hermit crabs: Marine species live underwater and have gills to breathe. Common options are blue leg hermit crabs, red reef hermit crabs, and electric blue hermit crabs. They remain small, under 2 inches wide.

• Strawberry hermit crabs: A colorful land hermit crab species with red legs and claws. They stay smaller than other land hermits, around 4 inches wide.

When getting your first hermit crab, I recommend starting with a Caribbean crab. They are hardy, low maintenance, and make great pets for beginners. Avoid marine hermit crabs if you don’t have saltwater tank experience.

Where to Buy Pet Hermit Crabs

You can find hermit crabs for sale at a few different places:

Local Pet Stores

Visit pet stores in your area to see hermit crabs available for purchase. Many big box stores like Petco and PetSmart carry land hermit crabs. Specialty aquarium stores may have a larger selection, including marine hermit crabs.

The benefit of buying from a pet store is you can pick out your new pet crab in person. Make sure to inspect them closely for any signs of damage, lifelessness, or poor health. Also ask about the crab’s age, when it last molted, and diet.

The downside is pet stores often don’t care for hermit crabs properly. You may find crabs kept in tiny cages with limited substrate and humidity. Be prepared to rehabilitate unhealthy crabs when bringing them home.

Online Stores

You can order hermit crabs online from specialty websites like The Hermit Crab Patch, Hermit Crab Haven, and Crab Street Journal. These sites focus just on hermit crabs and carry a huge variety of land and marine species.

Buying online provides bigger selection and ideal shipping conditions for the crabs. But you won’t get to see the crab in person before purchasing. Read reviews carefully to find reputable sellers who guarantee live delivery.

Local Breeders

Some hermit crab enthusiasts breed crabs at home. You may be able to find local breeders through crabbing Facebook groups or Craigslist.

Backyard breeders typically offer the healthiest crabs. You can see the breeding conditions and pick out active crabs. Just make sure to find experienced breeders with proven success raising multiple generations.

Avoid Beach Shops and Fairs

Never purchase hermit crabs from souvenir shops or beach boardwalk kiosks. These crabs are taken from the wild and suffer high mortality rates. Buying them supports unethical harvesting of wild crabs. Only choose captive-bred pet store or breeder crabs.

What to Look for When Choosing a Healthy Crab

Once you find some pet hermit crabs for sale, pick out individuals that show signs of excellent health:

• Active and alert: Healthy crabs are active when you first approach their enclosure, moving their eyes around and shifting their bodies. They retreat into their shell when alarmed but come back out quickly.

• Intact body and limbs: Make sure the crab has all legs, eyestalks, and antennules present. The body should be free of any damage or lesions.

• Full rounded abdomen: The crab’s abdomen should fill out the back of the shell, without being too squeezed in. A healthy fat abdomen is a good sign.

• No odor: You should not detect any unpleasant smells from a hermit crab. A crab with an odor is likely stressed or ill.

• Solid grip: Strong claws and legs allow the crab to grip your hand firmly. Weak claw strength indicates poor health.

• Bright colors: The shell and limbs should have vivid, rich coloring without faded or milky patches.

• Clear, dry eyes: Eyes should be shiny black with no debris or moisture around them. Discharge or wetness around the eyes can be a sign of disease.

Following these guidelines will help you select the most vigorous, thriving hermit crab to bring home!

Setting Up the Perfect Home for Your New Crab

Once you’ve selected your new friend, it’s time to set up an ideal habitat in your home. Hermit crabs require specialized care to remain healthy in captivity.

Habitat/Enclosure Needs

Hermit crabs need more space than you might expect. Here are habitat requirements to follow:

• 10 gallon tank minimum: Provides room for multiple shells, climbing, and digging

• Substrate 6+ inches deep: Sand and coconut fiber mix allows burrowing

• Heat and humidity: Temperature of 75-85°F and 70-80% humidity

• Fresh and salt water: Both shallow pools are required for drinking and shell cleaning

• Climbing toys: Driftwood, vines, and hammocks provide stimulation

• Hidden caves or huts: Gives security and molding sites

• Lid with ventilation: Prevents escape while allowing airflow

Following these guidelines gives hermit crabs space to exhibit natural behaviors. Improper housing causes stress, poor shell growth, and increased aggression.

Dietary Needs

Hermit crabs are omnivores and scavengers by nature. In captivity they require a varied diet:

• Protein sources: Cooked meat, shrimp, eggs, nuts

• Fruits and veggies: Mushrooms, peppers, carrots, apples

• Calcium: Cuttlebone, crushed coral

• Leafy greens: Spinach, kale

• Pellets and powders: Calcium and nutritionally balanced

Rotate different fresh foods daily. Provide a constant supply of protein and calcium. Uneaten fruits/veggies should be cleaned out daily to prevent mold.

With the proper habitat setup and nutrition, your new hermit crab will thrive in your home! The ideal environment reduces stress and promotes long lifespans over 10 years.

Bringing Your New Crab Home

Once you’ve prepped your hermit crab’s habitat, it’s time to bring them to their new home! Here’s how to get started on the right claw:

• Carefully transport the crab in a secure carrier on the trip home. Keep them inside the carrier until the tank is ready.

• Slowly acclimate the crab to the new tank. First place them in a small holding container inside the tank. After 30 minutes, allow them to fully explore. Watch to ensure they find the food and water pools.

• Resist the urge to excessively handle or bother your crab over the first few days. Give them time to recover from transport stress and adjust.

• Over the first week, notice when they are active and eating normally. Healthy crabs should come out regularly and have a good appetite.

• Going forward, handle gently for short periods of time. Give at least 24 hours before handling again to allow the crab to destress.

With time, patience, and proper care, you’ll get to know your new pet hermit crab and their unique personality shining through! They are fascinating creatures that can provide years of enjoyment.

Finding the Perfect Hermit Crab for You

Hermit crabs can live for a surprisingly long time, with lifespans varying between species and depending on whether they are kept in the wild or in captivity. In the wild, some species can live for 50-70 years, while in captivity, they can live for 10-20 years with proper care.