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Vampire Crab Habitat!!
32
items How to have your own little dorm study-buddies. Most of this can be purchased on amazon, but it can be cheaper on individual websites!
Sections
5
Supplies
Food
Tank Base
Tank Setup
Extra things I use
Supplies
The things you'll need to take care of your Crabitat
You'll need this to dechlorinate the water to make sure it's safe for the crabs. Petsmart does free water testing!
API Aquarium Tap Water Conditioner, 4 oz. | Petco
Use these to monitor your water pH, vampire crabs like more of an acidic water. If it's too low, sandstone or limestone rocks could help!
Professional pH Test Strips 0-14 (100ct) - Precision Wide Range for Water, Soil, Pool, Urine & Saliva Testing
You will need a little spray bottle with treated water to help maintain the humidity in the tank
Thrive Hermit Crab Hand Spray Bottle
If it's dry in your area, the mesh lid might let out too much humidity so I cover it lightly with this to keep it more constant
Great Value Plastic Wrap, 200 Sq ft
Food
What to feed your vampire crabs
Easy diet for your crabs, supplement with other treats like bloodworms and plain veggies
Hikari Crab Cuisine® Crustacean Food
A good supplemental treat for the crabs, can be served with the crab-cuisine!
Top Fin® Freeze-Dried Bloodworms
I use this kettle to blanch vegetables before giving them to the crabs, as boiled vegetables are recommended
Electric Kettle
Tank Base
Making the perfect home for your vampire crabs!
Great substrate to keep your crabitat at ideal high humidity (80%-90%)
Zoo Med Eco Earth Expandable Reptile Substrate Value Pack
Great high-humidity low-light plant that is vampire-crab safe. Fully aquatic (roots submerged)
Top Fin® Java Fern Live Plant
Minimum tank size: 5.5 gal for 3 crabs (they are social)! Bigger is better, but do what you can - especially in a dorm
Aqueon Standard Glass Rectangle Aquarium
This will make up the bulk of your substrate, but you can also use regular soil (I just like to be a little fancy!)
Zoo Med Reptisoil
Make sure to get a well-fitting lid because crabs are great climbers!
Imagitarium 5.5-Gallon Screen Top
I used one of these to make the water section, as opposed to building and sealing one directly in the tank - again for ease of travel!
Hammont Acrylic Box Organizer 8x4x4 3 Pack
My fav mini aquarium light, vampire crabs shouldn't have direct light and this ensures you can control it
Aqueon Betta LED Light | Petco
This will be the drainage layer, to ensure water isn't sitting at the bottom of the tank! You can also use planting-grade hydroballs but make sure to rinse anything you use before putting it in the tank
Zoo Med HydroBalls, 2.5 lbs. | Petco
Maintain a temp from 72-82 F, and humidity at 80-90%! Digital is a little easier to gauge than manual
Thrive 2-in-1 Digital Thermometer & Hygrometer
Use this to put over the drainage layer, to make sure the dirt/substrate doesn't fill in the spaces
Plastic Canvas
Put this or sand/limestone at the bottom of your water second to make sure the crabs can get out
Top Fin® Premium Aquarium Gravel - Classic Beach
Adheres to the base or side of the tank to help maintain the temperature very gradually. No heat lamps!!
BN-LINK 6" X 8" Reptile Heating Pad
Tank Setup
Make sure to have plenty of cover for the crabs to move around. I use a few real plants and this one big fake plant since I know it will provide a lot of cover and I don't have to take care of it!
Thrive Medium Hanging Terrarium Plant
Another great high-humidity low-light plant that is vampire-crab safe. Fully aquatic (roots submerged), this one is shorter so I put it in the water section
Top Fin® African Water Fern Live Plant
My last great high-humidity low-light plant that is vampire-crab safe. Fully aquatic (roots submerged) - and sensitive to too much light!!
Top Fin® Anubias Frazeri Live Plant
You need enough hides for each crab +1, so they don't get into territory disputes! Here's a cute stump one that my crabs like
Thrive Small Stump
You need enough hides for each crab +1, so they don't get into territory disputes! This is a cute little 3 log space that's big enough for the crabs
Thrive Tri-Log Hide
A little food bowl to keep a consistent place so your crabs know where to find food! You can grab a couple of these if you have a large space or many crabs
Fluker's Reptile Bowl
Adds bioactivity and adds additional hides for the crabs
Zoo Med Terrarium Leaf Litter, 2 oz. | Petco
This is a cute little rock one that my female crab loves. You need enough hides for each crab +1, so they don't get into territory disputes! T
Top Fin® Cichlid Rock Aquarium Ornament
My male crab's favorite hide. You need enough hides for each crab +1, so they don't get into territory disputes!
Top Fin® Aquarium Decor - Cichlid Rock Tan
Extra things I use
Not NEEDS, but makes my life easier!
This is great for observing the crabs while they are out, and not startling them too much! Use ambient lighting, not direct with this!
Red Flashlight - High Lumens for Astronomy - Versatile Illumination for Outdoor | Elevate Your Night Adventures
Since I travel with the tank sometimes, I use this to soak up some of the tank water to minimize splashing
GoodCook Pro Baster with Silicone Cleaning Brush Oval Shaped Basting Tip
I use these to make it a little easier to put the food into the crab tank without disturbing it too much!
Thrive Reptile Stainless Steel Feeding Tongs
These are for mixing reptile food, but I find it really useful to scoop the pellets into their tank easily! It can also help you poke around their tank without having your whole arm in there
Stainless Steel Reptile Spoon