The numbers
Enclosure
40–75 L glass, deep sand; keep 3+ together
Diet
Fruit, veg, leaf litter, dried shrimp, calcium foods, coconut · Fresh food daily/every other day
Temperature
24–29°C
Humidity
70–80%
Identity
Order / Family
Decapoda
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; wild-collected
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
The classic pet-shop hermit crab worldwide
Adult size
Up to ~6 cm
Lifespan
10–20+ yrs (up to ~40 reported)
Growth rate
Slow
Activity & niche
Nocturnal terrestrial scavenger
Temperament
Hardy, curious
Venom / defense
Harmless; large purple claw can pinch
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–29°C
Humidity
70–80%
Min. enclosure
40–75 L glass, deep sand; keep 3+ together
Substrate
12–15 cm damp play-sand/coco
Hides / decor / water
Extra shells, wood; fresh AND marine water pools
Diet
Staple food
Fruit, veg, leaf litter, dried shrimp, calcium foods, coconut
Feeding frequency
Fresh food daily/every other day
Supplements
Cuttlebone / crushed coral (calcium); marine salt for bathing water — NOTE
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Occasional, gentle; may pinch — support the shell
Communal
Yes – social, keep in groups of 3+
Defense / stress signs
Leaving shell, lethargy, limb loss
Reproduction
Reproduction
Pelagic larvae — not bred in captivity (wild-caught)
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsPPS, low-humidity stress, painted-shell toxicity
Red flags / quarantine
SignsPainted shells, mites, limb loss; quarantine, offer natural shells
Good to know
- Confirmed to live 20+ years — decades beyond what most owners expect.
Others in this group
Giant African Land SnailLissachatina fulicaRed Apple CrabMetasesarma aubryiIndonesian / Purple Land Hermit CrabCoenobita brevimanusRuggie Land Hermit CrabCoenobita rugosusVampire Crab (assorted Geosesarma)Geosesarma sp. (e.g. dennerle, 'red devil')Giant Pink-foot / Immaculate Land SnailAchatina immaculataGiant West African / Banana Rasp SnailArchachatina marginataConcave / Cavipes Land Hermit CrabCoenobita cavipes