Halloween moon crabs are nocturnal creatures and are well suited for warm and humid climates. The male hermit crabs look more colorful and radiant. They have strong fighting capacities, so they are not recommended for more than one in each group. Here’s an ultimate curated guide for adopting a halloween moon crab.
Average life span
A Halloween moon crab lives for about 8-10 years.
Area of enclosures
Halloween moon crabs grow well in small setups and sustain themselves in them when they are young. When they grow up, it’s always necessary that their environment provides enough for their total sustenance. Pet store owners usually recommend an enclosure tank of capacity 11 to 16 gallons.
The container must contain water dishes and some artificial caves and spaces for them to hide in. Halloween moon crabs are aqua-terrestrial yet survive well in saltwater and freshwater conditions. They are adapted to rock climbing, so it’s essential to add rocks, woods, steps, etc. to your ecosystem to ensure they live a healthy life in there. Throw in some wooden sheets, safe plants, and create a miniature pool setup lined by the rocks and plants.
There should also be two water dishes present in the tank.
Availability of moist environment and selection of the right substrate
Hermit crabs require a humid climate to moisten their gills and help them survive. Two water dishes that are shallow and easily accessible must be placed inside the tanks to give them moisture as and when required.
It is imperative to change the water every day to stop the bacteria from spreading. To have a conducive ecosystem, you must select the right substrate. A good humidity level is obtained with an appropriate substrate.
An excellent moist environment will have 4-6 inches of sand and an extra layer of 3 inches of damp peat moss. Hermit crabs need a humidity level of up to 70 percent.
Maintaining the temperature of the terrarium
Halloween moon crabs have a specific temperature range, and the enclosure must always be maintained at the required temperature range. The ideal temperatures are between 79 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
A less wattage rated bulb in the terrarium is the right choice and will not cause unnecessary temperature and humidity change. Also, they are well settled in dark conditions, so a low wattage lamp is an ideal choice.
Knowing the molting
The natural process of a crab shedding its skin and regenerating a new one is called molting. A molting period usually happens after every eighteen months and may take a few weeks to be completed entirely. Always keep studying your crabs for signs of molting.
This often occurs when the hermit crab starts losing its skin color and becomes dull. Low lighting and zero disturbances are encouraged during these molting cycles.
Feeding habits
To keep your Halloween moon crab healthy, there should be an emphasis on the food being fed. Stay as close to the natural food environment and supply fresh ripe fruits. Nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables are a must for hermit crabs. They are mostly herbivores and prefer a plant and leaf filter diet.
Meats can be fed but not in a raw form. Crabs eat according to their appetite. If you see no leftovers on the dishes, it may mean that they are not getting enough food. Underfeeding a king crab is very easy, so it is always recommended to add more and clear away any leftovers to prevent a bacterial infestation.
Calcium-rich foods need to be given after molting to ensure they have enough to generate a calciferous skin. Usually, crabs eat their exoskeleton to meet their calcium requirements.
Handling its behavior
It’s essential to learn and accept how each crab behaves and responses to a stimulus. Also, each crab is very different from another. Some may like to be handled. Others will prefer to sulk in a dark cranny of the enclosure.
The attitudes are all individualized, and you need to accept and love them. Slow and steady progress can be made to make them human-friendly by daily interacting with them. An angry hermit crab can use its pincers and may show hostile behavior when an unnecessary interaction is enforced too many times. The best way is to allow your pet for its response and choices and love them anyway. Therefore, adopting a Halloween Moon Crab can be the best decision you make. They will keep you busy, and you will love having them as a companion.
Halloween moon crabs are incredibly colorful and radiant looking crabs. They are exotic and have a crazy color palate on their bodies. They are becoming quite common amongst those looking to adopt a pet. They adapt very well to closed settings and thus make beautiful pets. Halloween moon crabs are commonly referred to as hermit crabs, and pet store owners claim they are well settled and live long in captive environments. They have sharp upper purple claws, orange legs, and a very dark black dorsal body.
Leave a Reply