How to Breed Captive Hermit Crabs

Land hermit crabs make unusual pets. These interesting little crustaceans are not true crabs and require empty shells into which they place their soft and vulnerable abdomen. Although easy to care for, hermit crabs are not commonly bred, but can be encouraged to do so by offering them correct food and accommodation. These crabs must always be supplied with empty shells of the right size as they grow.

Things You'll Need

  • Commercial hermit crab habitat, including one pond for salt water, one pond for fresh water and beach area with soft sea sand
  • Rotifers
  • Newly hatched brine shrimp
  • Fresh or frozen sea food items, such as prawn and calamari
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the sex of your hermit crabs by looking at their legs. Female crabs have well-developed legs, called pleopods, on the left side of their abdomen, and they also possesses a gonopore on their second pair of walking legs. It is through this opening that sperm is deposited into the female's body and through which her eggs are laid. Male crabs have very small pleopods, if they are present at all. The male crab's last pair of legs resemble tubular structures.

    • 2

      Observe mating between your adult hermit crab pair. Both crabs will emerge partially from their shell and the male will transfer a spermatophore into the female's gonopore.

    • 3

      Look out for the presence of eggs on the body of the female.

    • 4

      Observe the eggs for a month period. The color of the eggs will change from their original red to grey, as the developing embryos utilize the egg yolk.

    • 5

      Watch the female closely near the end of the month period. She will pass clusters of eggs from one set of legs to another and move them toward the tip of her claws. The female then flings the egg mass into the water, where they will hatch.

    • 6

      Look for the tiny hatchling crabs, which are termed zoea at this stage.

    • 7

      Feed the zoea rotifers for the next 40 to 60 days. They will pass through up to six growth stages during this time. Add rotifers and day-old brine shrimps to the water twice daily. Add enough living food the zoea can continue to feed throughout the day.

    • 8

      Observe the zoea after 60 days. At this time, the zoea metamorphoses into megalopas, which resemble a cross between a lobster and a crab. Feed old brine shrimps twice daily and add enough that the megalopa can continue to feed throughout the day.

    • 9

      Place mollusc shells, which are large enough for the megalopa to fit into the pond after a month.

    • 10

      Ensure that there is sufficient loose and damp sand around the pond.

    • 11

      Watch as the megalopas bury into the damp sea sand. They will molt while under the sand and will emerge as juvenile hermit crabs. At this point, these young crabs are able to breathe air and will spend progressively longer periods on land.

    • 12

      Feed the juvenile crabs on commercial hermit crab pellets and thin pieces of fresh or frozen sea food items. Feed each crab a small amount of food every day.