A glass or acrylic tank will give you the clearest view of your hermit crab, or you can use a plastic tank for a more cost-effective option. [2] X Research source
Set your hermit crab’s tank in a spot that’s easy to access and where it won’t get in the way, like on a stand in your living room or bedroom.
Don’t use sand from the beach or anywhere outside. It might contain insects or other organisms that could hurt your hermit crab. [5] X Research source Look at your local hardware store for a bag of play sand to use as a cost-effective substrate. [6] X Research source
You can find aquarium salt packs (to mix your own saltwater) as well as gallon containers of pre-mixed saltwater at your local pet store. [8] X Research source You’ll also need to get a thermometer and other readers so you can check in on the different levels in the tank and make adjustments when needed.
Once the amount of water in the bag has doubled, dump out half of the water in the bag. Repeat the process until all of the water in the bag with your hermit crab is from the new tank. You can then release your hermit crab into its new home. [9] X Research source
Before you give your hermit crab any meat, chop it up into smaller pieces. Only give your hermit crab a little at a time; leftover pieces of meat can rot and cause your hermit crab’s tank to smell. [12] X Research source
Ask someone at your local pet store if you’re not sure what species your hermit crab is. If you’re still not sure what species your hermit crab is, try entering some of it’s main features into an online search. Look through the results for a photo of a hermit crab that looks just like yours. For example, you could search online for “species of large hermit crab with black and orange horizontal stripes. "
For example, if your hermit crab comes from a coastal region where the water temperature is between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit (24-29 C) in the summer, and 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit (10-16 C) in the winter, you should try to replicate those temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Make the adjustments in temperature gradually so you don’t stress out your hermit crab. Never change the temperature more than 4 °F (−16 °C) in a 24-hour period. [16] X Research source
You can also search online for information about your hermit crab’s temperament. For example, you could search “can my thin stripe hermit crab be in a tank with other hermit crabs and fish?”
