Can I Put a Pond in My 5 Gallon Tank for My Hermit Crabs?

Hermit crabs make entertaining and interesting pets. With proper care, hermit crabs may live for up to 20 years in the wild, although their lifespan in captivity is shorter. Creating the proper environment for the crab makes a longer life span more likely. Water is an important part of the hermit crab's environment, and they will need water to thrive.

  1. Ponds

    • A hermit crab would enjoy a pond, since it needs a dish or pond of water for survival. A five-gallon tank doesn't have much room for any accessories, so the crab and the pond should be small. The pond does need to be deep enough so that the crab can submerse its body completely if it wants to take a bath.

    Chlorine

    • Hermit crabs are extremely sensitive to chlorine. Since most municipal water systems use chlorine to purify the water they use, don't use tap water for the hermit crab if you are on a city or county water system. Buy gallons of distilled or spring water for the crab habitat. Well water is generally fine for crabs.

    Salt Water

    • Crabs also need salt in their environment. Put a small dish of water with a pinch of aquarium salt in the habitat. This will allow the crab to get enough salt to survive. This dish or pond of salt water should be in addition to the dish of fresh water.

    Baths

    • Bathe the hermit crab once a week in clean, non-chlorinated fresh water. Pour filtered or spring water in a bowl, let it warm to room temperature, then dip the crab in the water for several seconds, then pull it out. Do not give baths inside the crab habitat.