How difficult are hermit crabs?

Question

My four year old really wants 2 or 3 hermit crabs for his 5th birthday. I know I will be doing most/all of the care and upkeep for the crabs and want to know how hard is it? We have 6 tropical fish tanks right now that he helps me take care of so, I do have some idea of what to expect. I am planning on cleaning out one of my 10 gallon tanks that houses my fry right now to use for the crabs. Is this large enough for 3 hermit crabs? Should I buy a new tank? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I would definately get your son a hermit crab or two. It`s not that hard to keep them healthy and happy. A 10 gallon tank would be perfect. You`ll need some sand, water dish/sponge, new shells, and decor. I would get him more then 1 that way your crab will not be lonely.

Answer 2

There is more care to them than mentioned here you should look on Internet how to care for hermit crabs. There are certain things they need to live a healthy life.

Answer 3

They really aren't that much work, but they aren't very fascinating creatures. You really just have to make sure they have water, change their food once a week, and clean their cage when it starts to smell (once or twice a month). Oh, if you have multiples you may have to separate them when one of them molts, so they don't eat each other. I really wouldn't suggest getting one, though. They mainly just hide out in their shells and burrow themselves in the ground. Convince your daughter to start an aquarium instead. Fresh water aquariums are a fair amount of work, but they are beautiful, and the inhabitants of the tank actually move.

Answer 4

there awsome they are no Hard work at all! i have 1 right now i have had 3 before. they dont come out of there shell unless you want them too. just get a hermit crab sponge (were u buy the hermit crab) and just poor water in it when it runs out. usually some hermit crabs are nocturnal so they will wake in the middle of the night and drink water. (but they dont make that much sound) there very good pets and no hard work at all. some of them pinch but the best thing to do is hold on to there shell. you should get 2 or 3. usaully if you buy them at coach house if they die 3 days after you bought it u can get another free

-Hoped i helped. :-)

Answer 5

i had a pet hermit crab in fourth grade

it was great

eventually it died

but it's not cuddly

so it's less painful to replace

Answer 6

you really don't need a new tank. Make sure that you have everything ready before you bring home the hamsters. try to teach your son to feed the crabs and other stuff so he knows what to do and can start to take a little bit of responsibility for the pets that are his!!:)

Answer 7

not hard at all, they have to stay moist, so buy a spray bottle with water and spray them every now and then I think it may be once a day. The tank you have sounds very efficient. and roomy. I would say it would be big enough for 3.