Can you keep fiddler crabs and hermit crabs together?

Question

I was just wondering, because right now I'm trying to choose between the two, and if I could keep a few together, that would be even better. I don't think I can, but cannot find anywhere online to answer my question for sure. Also, do hermit crabs need brackish water?

Please no guesses, just informed answers. Thank you ahead of time

Answer 1

No, you definitely can't keep the two species together. They require different environments. Someone on my hermit crab care forum tried it anyway once, setting up one half of a large tank for the fiddlers and the other half for the hermits, and reported the results-- the fiddlers killed the hermit crabs. So I strenuously recommend that you not try this yourself.

Anyway, land hermit crabs do not need brackish water. They require access to two separate sources of water, full salt and full fresh. Use marine salt meant for a saltwater aquarium to mix their salt water; 1/2 cup for every one gallon of water. A bag of marine salt that makes five gallons of salt water should only cost about $4-$6 USD at a pet store. Never use table salt; it contains additives that will hurt the hermit crabs.

Also remember that hermit crabs must have de-chlorinated water ONLY. (I've personally only kept hermit crabs, not fiddler crabs, but I'm willing to bet fiddlers need it too!) The chlorine added to municipal tap water burns their sensitive gills. Always treat tap water with de-chlorinating water conditioner before using it for your hermit crabs or any of your crabs' food or supplies. This stuff is not expensive and widely available at pet stores in the fish/aquarium supply section. One little bottle will last you ages; you only need a tiny amount to purify each gallon.

Answer 2

nope they shouldn't be housed together. Hermit crabs require both salt and fresh water. But land hermit crabs cannot live in a pool setting. And marine hermit crabs need to live in an ocean environment