My Little Hermits!

So, about last month I purchased a hermit crab. At first her name was Sheldon. (I know, quite generic), anyway, this month I have been doing tons of research and found out how to sex a hermit crab, and my hermy is actually a girl XD So I changed her name to Coral. Well, I was in Petco the other day and there was a hermit crab there that just caught my eye. I was actually in Iowa for a baby shower and brought Coral with me so I already had the cage and stuff. Unfortunately we were going to be gone that day and I didn't want to have to buy the hermit crab and leave him in the car, so instead I waited until the next day and went back to Petco and he was still there so I bought him. (Yes he is actually a him) I decided to name him Reef. He is much more active than Coral, but it a little more timid. Coral loves people and comes to the front of the tank when she sees me, but Reef is still adjusting. When I went into this, I will admit, I knew nothing about hermit crabs. That was a mistake and I totally blame myself because I actually have them in a little plastic Critter Keeper cage, which in case you didn't know is horrible for them. Not only do I have them in that, but I also bought gravel as the substrate and they cannot dig in it. Once I did my research and found these mistakes, I decided to upgrade the tank and get a different substrate. I'm preparing their 10 gallon tank while I am writing this and I am super excited to be able to provide my hermies with this. I'm using EcoEarth as the substrate which is also great. I suck at linking pictures from my phone, so yeah, no pictures, but I will put some pictures that look similar to mine. Also, Coral is a Purple Pincer Crab and Reef is an Ecuadorian Hermit Crab in case you were wondering 


Similar to what Reef looks like:



Similar to what Coral looks like:



Do not worry, hermit crabs never reproduce in captivity, so I won't be expecting any baby hemies even though my hermies are different genders. 

If you have or have had hermit crabs feel free to share your experience as I'm always open to learning new things.

I know I'm a little late, but I used to have hermies!! Omg I loved them!!!! 

Haha oh well! They are super cool! XD

I had hermit crabs  a couple of years ago they were in a 20 gallon but I did more research and learned they need, I think it was, around a 40 gallon and I couldn't afford one at the time so I gave them to a new home were they would get a larger tank. Mine were very active and got large very quick so as long as your own research they should life happy life's and can become active :) I could never remember what I named them either (I had 4 all about the same size). 

Awesome! I only have two and they are doing great and growing lots!

How neat! I always tried taking them in and keeping them as pets when we lived in Florida but my parents said no. Oh well! Anyway I am glad you are reading up and learning more on them and are preparing to get them a good set up! 

I just got my first three hermits recently! I love them so much. Haven't tried to sex them yet as I want to give them time to settle in. I'm pretty sure all three are Purple Pinchers. ^^ I'm sure Coral will love having a friend around!

Just a note: I personally would avoid buying your crabs from pet stores or gift shops in the future. Just about all of them are wild-caught because, as you said, they are extremely hard to breed in captivity. I try not to support businesses that catch wild animals and force them into captivity. c: I got mine from someone who was getting rid of theirs. Just something to consider for the future.

@Oswin

I totally agree with you! Although I do not support PETA (it's just my opinion) and they seem to talk a lot of crap about pet stores selling hermit crabs, I have to give them the credit on it. They are taken from the wild and forced into the painted toxic shells. Living in South Dakota, there really wasn't anyone within a 150 mile range that were trying to get rid of their hermit crabs so I did end up buying them from a local pet store. Luckily, my 'local' pet store takes great care of their hermies.

That's great to hear that they do. I'm sure you'll do the best you can with yours as well. It's so easy to love these little guys xD

ikr! They have such large personalities and they are so curious of everything!