Crabotanicals

Crabotanicals' own basic care sheet Word document can be printed in 2-sided (duplex) mode and then folded into thirds to form a tri-fold pamphlet for easy distribution.  You have our permission to use and distribute them, but not to alter them in any way.

Diet
Crabitat  - substrate, isolation, decorations, climbers
Health and Behavior - molting, aggression, illness, etc.
Special Considerations:  exercise, lighting, etc.
Species

Balance

Though we all joke about crabbing to be an addiction, it is important to know your limitations.  Enthusiasm for pets cannot be weighed by how many pets you have.  A person housing 30 crabs doesn’t necessarily have more interest in or affection for their crabs than the person with 2 crabs.  Never buy more pets than you can properly care for, even if it means having none.  Pets should never be regarded as a burden because their caregivers feel overwhelmed.  Much depends on your individual circumstances.

When I was keeping crabs in a 10-gallon tank in an office building where I worked, I often wondered how large a tank my boss would allow—aching to upgrade to house more and more crabs as my addiction grew.  I figured that my current set-up would allow for 5 small crabs without overcrowding them.  Five of them demolished the tank every night making it look unsightly each morning and someone was always in-molt for me to worry over.  I realized that maintenance of 2 crabs had been much easier to manage than 5 in a place of business.  When I changed to part-time employment, I realized that I would have leisure to enjoy the crabs in the comfort of my own home.  So, I obtained a 55-gallon tank and outfitted it nicely.  To my surprise, it housed 5 crabs rather comfortably (I had imagined it would be boring or appear empty).  I could easily justify collecting more crabs, especially since they serve Crabotanicals as guinea pigs when I am conducting food trials.  But I feel rather content with the 5 adorable crabs I already have, and if the need should arise for me to adopt or rescue some unwanted crabs, or if I find an exotic species available I’ll have room for them without having to invest in a still larger tank.

My advice is this:

If you think you want more crabs than you have, consider carefully your motive. 

Why do I want more than I already have? 

Am I obsessed?  Am I being emotional or rational?

Will I want this in a year?  In 5 years? 

Consider what will be involved in expanding. 

                Am I taking good care of the pets I already have?

Do I have enough time, money, and experience to take on more responsibility? 

Am I comfortable with the molting process yet? 
Do I know what to do when I see mold, mites, or aggression? 

Then I would say:

Give it two weeks just to make sure the urge doesn’t go away.  Even if you know your limitations, there is no sense in pushing the limit to the maximum today.  

Some crab keepers find themselves tempted to buy a crab or two each time they visit the pet store.  Balance for these people may mean avoiding the place altogether.  Once, when I was in the process of setting up my 55-gallon tank, I happened by a pet store with a darling, energetic crab, with a sound structure and attractive coloring.  My first impulse was to buy, buy, buy!  I reasoned, “I have a massive tank to fill up; what am I waiting for?  Grab him up!  Buy!”  But since my current crabs were cramped in their temporary 10-gallon tank, I knew the timing was not right.  But a mom approached with her daughter for the purpose of buying a crab.  I was able to help them see the benefits of purchasing this healthy crab, and I felt good about giving him a good start in a new home.   

Although it is a noble endeavor to rescue a sick or injured crab, we suggest that you only pay for healthy crabs. Giving your money for crabs they’ve given inadequate care doesn’t encourage the pet stores to improve their practices. It is very difficult to nurse a sick crab back to health.

We suggest that you carefully inspect the crabs you intend to purchase making certain that they have all of their limbs. Insist on handling the crabs yourself (unless you are afraid of them). Hold the crab gently in your fingers hovering slightly over your other palm. Exhale gently a few inches from the crab as if you were fogging up a window with your breath. This burst of warm moist air usually coaxes a crab partially out of his shell enough for you to get a good look at him. You may find damaged or missing antennae. Light pink or peach crabs should not be handled further because they may have recently molted and their exoskeleton may still be soft. Chipped leg tips or missing limbs are also common. Anytime the exoskeleton is compromised, then the crab may be easily be infected with bacteria and the immune system could be compromised. Damage to claws could hinder their ability to eat normally. Antennae damage could keep them from locating the food dish and sensing other things in their environment making them somewhat vulnerable. Bright-colored crabs usually indicate overall health and adequate diet, but you must take into account the difference in color between species. Try to find an active (but not panicked) crab. A crab whose exoskeleton is shiny rather than dull and who has tiny black "fingernails" at the tip of his legs may have recently molted. This is desirable (although optional) because it will allow time for the crab to adjust to the home you’ve setup for it and allow a rest period before it needs to molt. This is good for crab and keeper alike! In our experience, you usually have to settle for an imperfect crab, but try to get one in the best condition possible.

Don’t get seduced into buying a crab for its seashell because he may abandon it at any time. That being said, you are also investing in one shell option for the tank, so you may want a crab with a shell that has no holes or rough openings.

Sometimes it is possible to find out when the pet store receives shipments of "fresh " crabs, which can be very helpful especially when that pet store’s crabitat conditions are deplorable. It is important to be respectful when dealing with pet store personnel, even when you feel outraged about their policies regarding hermit crabs. You may find opportunities to teach them about hermit crab care a little at a time and "buy" yourself favor by being respectful.