Fresh water for drinking
It is important that your hermit crabs are given fresh water to drink. They need ocean water for bathing, and drinking, but it is essential that they have a source of fresh water. The easiest method to remove chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals from your water is to buy a Tap Water Conditioner created to do just that. Other alternatives are to u se distilled water or spring water, however it is important to keep in mind that with distilled water it is deficient in minerals and salts, whereas spring water
brands vary widely.
What Sort Of Dishes Should I Use?
I prefer the ZooMed ReptiDish water (or food) bowl because it enables the hermit crabs to wade through the water dish and yet, because of the unique moulded 'steps' there is no real chance of a hermit crab drowning. There are other benefits to the ReptiDish that I came across by sheer accident, in that many hermit crabs will decide to dig underneath the ReptiDish to moult. [Read more about it on my moulting page.] If you notice this happening and the substrate becomes too moist (wet rather than damp) then add a 'thirsty' natural seasponge to the dish so that most of the water is trapped within the seasponge, with a gentle press by a thirsty hermit crab releasing enough water for him to drink from yet not adding to a sloppy mess beneath.
If you use a Kidney-Shape Stoneware Dish, then you might need to put some sea glass, river pebbles or a piece of coral in the bottom so that your teenie and small crabs can get in and out easily.
There is scum in the bottom of the water dishMessage 370 from the archives at Hermies
Yahoo!Groups, also found in the CLD_on archives
"It is probably the residue from the (traces of) oil that is used in many of the commercial crab foods. This oil is used since our guys need a bit of it in their diet...This DOES NOT mean to feed them extra oil....THAT could kill them! The oil also enhances the flavor of these foods. FMR, I know, does use/add some oil (soybean and coconut) in/to their Food, but not their Treat. Another 'culprit' could well be the 'oils' from the natural foods such as the coconut, etc. you feed your crabs.This is why it is most/very important to clean out those water dishes and change out the old "drinking" water for fresh, clean water on a daily basis. Those little legs can 'pick up' lots of stuff from that food dish... then, they 'wade' through the water... get the pix? Just another good reason why a good, vigorous 'swimming' bath once or twice a week is very important!These bathes can dislodge food and wastes often lodged within your little buddies shell. A minute or so of a good 'leg kickin' bath usually 'dislodges' any 'gunk'... traces of sand, bits of food, bodily wastes... making your little guys happy and well cleansed 'campers'! While it may seem LIKE a great idea to bathe your guys each dayor two, this is not necessary and can be harmful to their health. Too much bathing can strip away the natural'slime coating' that is necessary for the healthy gill functioning of your crab.
Hope this helps and Happy Crabbing! CLD"
I have seen 'Easy Water'
(and Thirsty Hermit) advertised,
is it good for my hermit crabs?Message 370 from the archives at Hermies
Yahoo!Groups, also found in the CLD_on archives
"Now to answer the question about EASY WATER! This product is being touted as a 'good thing' for hermit crabs... After doing some research and investigating I would NEVER use it! In my own opinion, it would do more harm than good. Hermit Crabs need dechlorinated water of the same standard as one would use in a fish tank. Due to their delicate respiratory system and gill function the de-chlorinized water (free of minerals) is what is required for bathing and as a water source. The artificial source may retain moisture, but it cannot replace the need of the actual water. Crabs need to be able to get into their water source to drink and to bathe... this does not mean that misting and weekly baths are not necessary... but only that they need these elements for good health to stay hydrated."
Hope this helps and Happy Crabbing! CLD"
