Most crayfish lovers claim that caring for a hermit crab is not too difficult. However, at first it is better to follow the instructions, so as not to harm the new pet.

Choosing the right home

First of all, you should think about where your pet will live. The ideal option becomes a glass aquarium. To select the required volume, it is important to initial stage decide how many hermits you plan to settle there. Look at the photo and check the size. At the initial pores, count 1 cm of cancer per 1.5 liters. In order to determine the size of the cancer, it is necessary to accurately measure the inner diameter of the shell with a ruler. Don't forget to save room for three meals, toys and various hiding places, as well as a free place where the crayfish can roam freely. As in situations with fish, it is important to keep an eye on the number of inhabitants, but a lack will also not be beneficial. If you roughly imagine your future crayfish nursery, then 5-6 small crayfish will comfortably get along in a 40-liter aquarium. If possible, then immediately purchase an aquarium for growth. The wider the pet house, the more different entertainment you can build there. Photos of various attractions can be found on the Internet. Purchasing a 40 liter tank will inevitably incur additional costs as your pets grow.

Do not neglect the advice about the presence of a lid. Hermit crab is a master of escape. If you forget to cover the aquarium for at least 10 minutes, be sure that you will spend the next time hunting for a fugitive. Glass lid with ventilation holes – the best remedy protection from the endless search for escaped crayfish.

Perfect lining

Creating a lining not only decorates the aquarium, but also has practical value. The substrate must have a thickness of at least 15 centimeters or the height of the largest individual multiplied by two. For small crayfish, 12.5 is enough, and for a brood, 10. These numbers indicate the optimal depth for molting. Sand is considered the best available substrate. If possible, purchase compressed coconut fiber. To save money, you can mix these two types of soil. Pay attention to maintaining humidity. It is important that both the sand and the coconut fiber are slightly damp. To help achieve this effect will help constant hydration and the presence of a glass lid. Thanks to this microclimate, crayfish quickly increase in growth and develop fully.

Dishes, shelters, toys

The hermit crab loves obstacles and minks. Therefore, try to provide them with optimal leisure time. To do this, it is important to make sure that hermit crabs easily pass through the narrowest passages and exits. It is advisable to equip the aquarium with several types of shelters, which can be found not only in stores, but also prepared from improvised materials, just look at the photos of finished aquariums. Their number should be proportional to the number of individuals.

Ideal cover options:

• Ceramic chipped pots;
• coconut shell;
• sinks;
• Caves for reptiles;
• Other decorations.

In addition to hide and seek, the hermit crab is not averse to practicing rock climbing. If you like to watch agile pets, then install some inclined surfaces for them to climb. Various branches, solid plants, decor, stones and even sea duck shells are suitable for this.

The size of the bowl should match the size of the crayfish you have. So, hermit crabs should, when immersed in a bowl, go deep by about ¾ of their body. It is important that hermit crabs can have free access to bowls, as immersed in water, they make a supply of liquid for a long time. For the young, build bridges over which they can climb and fall into the bowl.

During molting, crayfish do not grow new shells, but use the ones left from dead snails, so you will have to try and find a large selection of different shells. The preferred shape of the shell opening will depend on the breed of the hermit crab. Visual photos will help you decide in more detail. To make it easier for cancer to find new protection, periodically keep the houses in salt water.

Proper water is the key to health

The only problem in the optimal maintenance of crayfish is the selection of water. The fact is that ordinary chlorinated tap water burns the gills and leads to the painful death of pets. It is important to use purified water, both for drinking and for moisturizing. Purchase several bottles of clean water at the pet store. Don't forget about the water conditioner. For this purpose, the usual biological film is not suitable, it can only be used for bathing crayfish and for keeping fish. You need to find a conditioner that will remove chlorine from the water and neutralize metals.

Crayfish use two types of water: fresh and salty. If everything is clear with fresh, then salty must be prepared at the rate of 10 tablespoons of aquarium salt per 1 batch of water. Wait 12 hours for the salts to completely dissolve and let the crayfish enjoy. The humidity of the aquarium should be between 79-89 percent.

Feeding

There are no problems with feeding crayfish. The fact is that hermit crabs calmly eat any kind of food, because in their natural environment they consume any available food. They will gladly eat the leftovers from your table, canned food. They will not refuse fruits and seafood, which are very important for maintaining optimal levels of vitamins. Feed them meat, cereals, groceries and rolled oats. If today you did not cook anything, then the crayfish will gobble up specialized food. True, crayfish do not eat much, so let's eat in small batches and see how they react to it.

Heating a prepared aquarium

Since hermit crabs are considered tropical inhabitants, the optimum temperature for them ranges from 27 degrees. Most often, the apartments of an average house are not heated enough for them, so install a bottom heater that is attached to the bottom from the outside, this can be clearly seen in the photo. It is low-power and gives an increase of only 5 degrees, but this is quite enough. It is not advisable to use a tungsten filament, as it quickly dries the air. Ideally, if you can create different temperature conditions in different sides of the aquarium.

Hermit crabs belong to the superfamily of decapod crayfish from the infraorder of the incompletely tailed (crustaceans subtype, higher crayfish class). Most hermit crabs use gastropod shells to avoid being eaten as they without these shells, they are completely defenseless. Hermit crabs live mainly in shallow seas, up to about 80 meters, as well as in bays, where there are constant ebbs and flows. There are over 450 species of hermit crabs. Most of the body of the hermit crab hides in the shell, and only a few paws stick out, with which they walk. The largest paw (claw) in hermit crabs serves to close the entrance to the shell. A hermit crab shell not only serves as protection, but also helps keep the shell moist.

Hermit crabs feed on mollusks, annelids, pieces of dead fish, and other crustaceans. Therefore, they are corpse-eaters, predators. Throughout their lives, hermit crabs have to constantly change their shells to larger ones. As soon as they change shells, they begin the process of molting.

I have already seen many hermit crabs, from very tiny to giants. They constantly crawl along the shore, you can see a lot of running shells of the most different colors. When you take a shell in your hands, the hermit crab immediately hides and closes the entrance to the shell, which gives the impression that there is no one there. Sometimes they hide so diligently that it happens that you collect a shell for souvenirs and then a hermit crab sits in one or two. By the way, if you hold a shell with it in your hand, then after a while the cancer will get its claws and start running. Some cancers crawl out earlier, some later. Apparently some are more shy, others less so.

Read also about how the hermit crab fell out of its shell.

Gathering of hermit crabs:

Tiny beautiful shell with hermit crab:

It's a giant hermit crab! These are rare.

Cancer hermit. African hermit crab. I am glad to welcome you on the pages of the Aqua-As aquarist's blog. Today I would like to tell you about another amazing and useful thing in a marine aquarium. hermit crab Calcinus laevimanus, although more often it is called simply, African hermit crab. What is so wonderful about this type of hermits, let's figure it out together.

African hermit crab, general information.

This type of hermits, as well as other members of the genus Calcinus have eyes located on long brightly colored stalks, the second distinguishing feature cancer, his left claw is much larger in size than his right. The claws are painted dark blue and White color the body of cancer itself is dark blue. African hermit crab does not grow large sizes like blue-fingered cancer, however, it is larger than, for example, a hermit clibanarius africanus. crayfish Calcinus live in the surf zone.

Hermit crab in a marine aquarium.

Hermits of this species are simply ideal for keeping in, and due to the fact that this is a small species of crayfish, it can be successfully kept even in small aquariums, that is, in. In addition to keeping the aquarium clean by feeding on lower algae, plucking them from live rocks and aquarium soil, the African crayfish also feeds on detritus very effectively.

At the same time, it does not damage corals; sometimes a loose coral fragment can push a crayfish, but this happens much less often than, for example, from the same blue-clawed crayfish that, moving around the aquarium, sweeps away everything in its path.

In the video, blue-fingered hermit crab.

In observation, this type of hermits is very interesting, they are active both at night and during the day. A crayfish recently placed in an aquarium is quickly mastered; it instantly navigates where in the aquarium you can profit from something and will clearly be in time where it is likely to get food. For example, I feed my fish twice a day in the morning at about 10 - 11 o'clock and in the evening at 7 - 8 o'clock the cancer knows this very well and at this time it sits in the place near the front glass where the brine shrimp, minced meat or dry food is carried by the current.

It seems to me that hermit crabs of this species should definitely be included in the team of cleaners with their duties as an aquarium orderly, he copes one hundred percent. I have this cancer living with a hermit clibanarius africanus and a couple of snails, together they are very good at keeping the aquarium clean.

As the hermit grows, you need to lay shells different sizes although it does not grow as actively as the blue-fingered selection of shells should be present. By the way, the shells can be changed, the hermit can several times a day, you will see this in the video. Many hermits may kill snails in order to take possession of their shells. For the entire time of keeping the African hermit, not even a hint of an attempted aggression towards snails was noticed. Perhaps the presence of a sufficient number of shells to choose from affects, or maybe the peculiar structure of the Tsiprey shell is not suitable for this cancer and is of little interest.

And in conclusion, although it is more difficult to acquire these crayfish than the same blue-fingered ones, but if you come across them on sale, you will definitely not regret it, but on the contrary, you will get a small useful and interesting inhabitant of the marine aquarium.

Videos hermit crab Calcinus laevimanus African.

And in this video, two hermit crabs fought over a piece of squid.

And the last very interesting video in which the hermit crab changes the sink to a new one.

That concludes my post on keeping this wonderful species of hermit crab in a marine aquarium.

hermit crab is prominent representative class of crustaceans. They have many species, each of which has its own little features, but for the most part they are similar to each other.

Description of the hermit crab

Hermit crab lives almost all its life in a gastropod mollusk shell, although in rare cases they can choose another shell, the main condition is that it is quite spacious and comfortable. Life in the lodge is due to its relative insecurity. So, outwardly it is covered with a hard chitinous shell. But its abdomen is practically not protected by anything, and therefore, in order to protect themselves from predators, they hide their entire body in a shell.

It is also important to note that there are species that, after growing up, leave their shells and get out on land. To protect their vulnerable tummy at the same time, they completely tuck their tail under them. The sizes of these crayfish are quite diverse, some are small with a fingernail, and there are also with a fist. As they grow, they change shells during molting. However, always choosing new house both in size and weight, so that it is not difficult to carry it with you.

Only the head and three pairs of legs peek out from the shell. The left claw of the first pair of paws is always larger than the right one. It is to her that he closes the entrance to the sink when he hides. The remaining paws are used for quick movement and fastening in a mobile house.

The color depends on the species and age of the individual. There are blue, purple, red, pink with different shades. Juveniles are almost always pale beige. The hermit's eyes are oblong in shape. As an additional protection, they can settle sea anemones on their claws or shells. At the same time, anyone who wants to take the sink or climb into it can get at least burns.

Habitat and food

Hermit crabs live on the shores of Australia, Indonesia, the Marshall Islands, Malaysia and so on. Various species are found almost all over the world from the Indian to the Pacific Ocean. They live in the shallow waters of the seas and oceans. The greatest depth at which they meet is 80 meters. Some species live on the shores or in forests located directly next to the ocean.

Food varies depending on the habitat. Land hermits feed on spoiled fruits, fallen coconuts, and small insects. Marine species are primarily predators and their frequent food is annelids, dead fish, and molluscs.

Reproduction and features

Free by nature and habits, hermit crabs do not breed in captivity. Therefore, for the purpose of reproduction, you always have to buy a female with caviar. Puberty they come in the second year of life. At this time, they are already quite formed. Almost all species breed in water, so that even after leaving the marine environment, they have to return for breeding time. They live for about 11 years. Sometimes more or less depending on habitat and food. Aquarium lovers often choose this type of crayfish as their home. Although they do not breed in captivity, they are fairly easy to care for.

• Class - Higher crayfish
• Detachment - Decapods
• Superfamily - Hermit crabs

One of the most unusual and funny animals that can live in your aquarium is a crayfish. Today we will get acquainted with such a variety as a hermit. Find out where he lives and what environmental conditions he needs.

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Description

The hermit crab is one of the most common terrestrial species on our planet. It can be found on the area from the Indian to the Pacific Ocean. It is known that these animals prefer to live in shallow water, but some individuals prefer to settle at a depth of 50-80 meters.

The largest colonies of these can be found in tropical and subtropical waters. He prefers to live in shaded areas on the coast or on a sandy beach. Likes to live in small groups and is very suitable for home breeding.

However, most of the hermits, nevertheless, prefer to live on land. They go far enough from the water and return to their native element only during the breeding season. The color of cancer can be quite diverse: from light or bluish to dark or purple. There are white and red individuals. Juveniles are usually white or cream in color. It is noteworthy that in captivity this cancer can live 10-12 years.

It is known that cancer is active in the evening or at night, much less often during the day. If the temperature in the terrarium is below 18 degrees, then the pet will hibernate. Next, we will talk in more detail about the most popular varieties of these creatures.

Kinds

At the moment, the following types of crayfish are the most popular:

• Cancer diogenes - medium-sized crayfish, the length of which is about 30 mm, which vary in color from gray to pink.
• Clibanarius is a lover of rocky coasts, which is several times larger than Diogene-type crayfish, has a rather bright unusual color.
• The red-legged type is another popular variety, differing from others in that it feeds only on cyanobacteria or algae.

Among others, in our country you can find the Mexican type of steppe, blue-striped, black hermit crabs.

For a comfortable life, cancer needs an aquarium with a size of 40-80 liters (for small ones) and 70-150 (for large species). For a good life, these creatures need stable air humidity and the right temperature. So, in an aquarium, the humidity should be from 70 to 85% at a temperature of 24-30 degrees. Remember that humidity is the most important indicator for crayfish, because they breathe through the gills and at low rates they can get sick or die a painful death.

Moss for reptiles, which can be found at any pet store, does a good job of maintaining moisture. In addition, crayfish can eat it. You can use special sponges, but they get dirty quickly and need to be changed every 2-3 weeks. Do not forget that they need a special substrate. Best of all, very fine sand will play its role, because any other filler can scratch the fragile body of the animal. You can replace it with compressed coconut fiber.

Among other things, crayfish are very fond of playing and climbing. Therefore, their house needs to be equipped natural stones or other toys. Crayfish need to be provided with access to salty sea and fresh water. It is best to install two special containers for this, which animals can use on their own.

From the video "Hermit crab in the aquarium" you will learn a lot useful information.

Feeding

Let's talk more about what to feed this animal. Hermit crabs are very fond of meat fillet and fresh shrimp. They also eat frozen krill well. They also like fruits such as: apples, pears, grapes, strawberries or bananas. They are also respectful of boiled eggs, eggshell. When feeding, avoid any plants of the onion family. In addition, feed the crayfish every day and remove leftover food from the aquarium.

Who do they get along with

When you get these animals, you should not forget that hermits are social creatures. To feel comfortable, they need to live in a group, so always keep them in the amount of 2 or more individuals to build comfortable relationships and friendships.

In addition, it is also known that the hermit gets along very well with sea anemones and zoantaria. The hermit and sea anemone is one of the most successful symbiotic relationships. Hermits coexist well with various types plants. It is best to organize the cohabitation of these animals with plants such as bamboo, venus flytraps and cleoma.

Diseases

Almost all diseases in these animals develop against the background of poor conditions. So, the worst effect on them is raising the limits temperature regime and reduced humidity. At the first symptoms of lethargy or deviations from the usual behavior, you need to show your pet to a veterinarian.

reproduction

Unfortunately, at home, hermit crabs are not able to reproduce. If you want to watch the birth of small crustaceans, it is best to buy an already pregnant female from a pet store or from breeders.

Photo gallery

Video "Hermit crab in the wild"

From the video "Hermit Crab in the Wild" you will learn a lot of interesting things about the behavior of these creatures.

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