The Strawberry Hermit Crab is one of the most beautiful hermit crab species that you can have as a pet. They prefer larger shells and can grow to a length of up to 5 inches from claw to tail! They are clean, safe to handle and can live for years with the proper care and treatment. Strawberries REQUIRE access to a full dish of salt water at all times as they cannot regulate their body’s salt level without it. We recommend using sand and coconut fiber substrate for them to dig and molt in. They require sea water as they live near the beach and used to drink sea water. They are clean, safe to handle and can live for years with the proper care and treatment. We recommend using sand and coconut fiber substrate for them to dig and molt in.

Habitat and Caging Requirements of Strawberry Hermit Crab:

These hermit crabs are arboreal, meaning they enjoy climbing. A good 5 to 10 gallon tank can house 2 or 3 of these cute little fellows, they don’t require much room. You can use 6 to 8 inches of moist sand for substrate or moss stacked 6 to 8 inches deep. I have also found that adding a cuddle bone like parakeets use to keep their beak sharp helps with their molting by providing them with calcium. Use low-wattage bulbs for lighting, add a couple of water dishes, one with plain water and another with salt water, add rocks, corkwood, or driftwood and a couple of extra shells and you are all set to go for the life of your new friend. Be sure to change the water in their bowls every 2-3 days for optimum health.

Temperature and Lighting Requirements of Strawberry Hermit Crab:

These animals are primarily nocturnal so they seem to do best with low-wattage bulbs for lighting. They are also used to tropical or subtropical temperatures so you need to keep the temperature of their habitat around 70 to 80 degrees and keep the substrate moist at all times.

Feeding and Nutrition of Strawberry Hermit Crab:

These little guys seem to do well on commercial hermit crab food, but also have a huge appetite for many other food items as well such as: apples, bananas, peaches, pieces of fish, and chicken just to name a few. This species also appreciates a variety of green vegetables.

Handling and Care of Strawberry Hermit Crab:

These animals almost seem to enjoy moving, playing, and climbing. I do not recommend holding them if they are acting as if they are trying to molt because they are very delicate at this time. This crab would make a stunning addition for the serious hermit crab collector.

• Adult Size: 2.7-3inches (7-8cm)
• Sub-adult Size:1.5-2.3inches (4-6cm)
• Care Level: Medium
• Temperature: 77 - 89.6°F (20 - 32°C)
• Feeding: Omnivore
• Life Span: 2 - 5 years
• Water: Saltwater in a bowl

What does the Strawberry Hermit Crab look like?

The Strawberry Hermit Crab has to be the most attractive species within the land hermit crabs kept in captivity. Adults are a stunning bright red with small white pimples, giving them a strawberry appearance, hence their name. Juveniles tend to be a pale red to orange colour, as they moult, their red colouration becomes stronger. One easy way to ensure you have a Strawberry Hermit Crab is to check the eyes, they look like polished hematite. They also do not have as many hairs compared to other species of land hermit crabs.

We are unsure of their fully grown size, however, believe they should reach between 12-15cm if not larger. They have been known to live for around thirty years in captivity.

Where are Strawberry Hermit Crab from?

Strawberry Hermit Crabs are found living close to the shoreline of Indonesia, Malaysia, Madagascar, Japan and Australia. Most are collected from areas such as Indonesia and Madagascar.

How do you keep a Strawberry Hermit Crab?

This species is best kept in a large glass tank, this will help with humidity levels as explained later on.

They require plenty of space, provide a tank of at least 30inch in length for two to three medium/large sized Strawberry Hermit Crabs. A mixture of sand and soil is the best substrate, this should be at a depth of 3 inches. Strawberry Hermit Crabs love to climb, place plenty of climbing area in the enclosure ranging from rocks, jungle vines and logs.

A day time temperatures of 26-29C (80-85F) must be provided, night time temperatures should not go below 26C (80F). They enjoy to bask for five to fifteen minutes a day, therefore providing a basking lamp is essential. Ensure all basking bulbs or heat sources are connected to thermostats to prevent over heating the enclosure. The use of a heat mat on the side/back of the tank, can help with the humidity levels, ensure the heat mat is safe to use on glass tanks. You can also use a low percentage UV bulb or tube, Land Hermit Crabs respond well to this.

You must have two large water areas/dishes with a depth so that the Hermit Crab can fully submerge itself. One dish should have fresh clean de-chlorinated water, the other salt water. Regular spraying of de-chlorinated water will help keep the humidity levels up, you need to maintain this at around 80% day and night.

If you do not feed your Strawberry Hermit Crabs on foods rich in carotene, their bright red colouration will fade and after moults can turn white. To name a few foods they will take; bananas, broccoli, carrots, chicken, nuts and seeds, oranges, peanut butter, sardines, seaweed, shrimps, tomatoes, tuna and so on.