​Our captive-bred hermit crabs represent years of dedication, research, and ethical breeding practices. These animals are not treated as standard retail pets but are instead placed into carefully selected homes that meet strict care requirements.

By applying to adopt captive-bred hermit crabs, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

 

1. Experienced Keepers Only

Captive-bred hermit crabs are not available to first-time hermit crab owners.

 

2. Habitat Requirements

Adopters must provide a habitat that meets modern hermit crab care standards, including:

• Minimum appropriate tank size for the number of crabs

• Deep substrate suitable for moulting

• Correct temperature and humidity levels

• Freshwater and marine saltwater pools

• A varied and nutritionally balanced diet

• Access to multiple natural shells

 

Applicants may be asked to provide photos of their setup prior to approval

 

Applicants must:

• Have previous hermit crab keeping experience

• Already maintain a fully established crabitat

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of correct hermit crab care

• Due to the rarity and importance of captive-bred hermit crabs, we will only adopt them to keepers who already have the knowledge and setup required to care for them properly.

 

3. Minimum Tank Standards for Adoption

All adopters must meet the following minimum habitat requirements before adoption approval.

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• An enclosed glass tank with a secure lid and no ventilation holes, providing a minimum of 38 litres of space per hermit crab.

• 15cm (6 inches) minimum substrate depth, made from an 8:1 ratio of play sand and damp coir peat, mixed together to a sandcastle consistency suitable for moulting.

• 1 deep marine saltwater pool, treated with a water conditioner and marine salt mix.

• 1 deep freshwater pool, treated with water conditioner.

• Enrichment items such as hides, greenery, climbing structures, toys, wheels, and other natural exploration opportunities.

• Consistent environmental conditions maintained between:

        27–32°C temperature

        70–85% humidity

• An appropriate external heat source (heat source must sit outside the tank, not inside).

• A high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet consisting of a variety of whole foods and appropriate supplements.

• A minimum of 6 spare appropriately sized shells per hermit crab, including preferred natural shells.

• An LED light source following a 12-hour day / 12-hour night cycle.

 

Applicants may be asked to provide photographs of their tank setup prior to approval.

 

4. No Resale

Captive-bred hermit crabs adopted through this program may not be resold or flipped for profit.

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5. Adoption Approval

All adoptions are subject to review and approval.

Applications may be declined if:

• Habitat standards are not met

• The applicant does not demonstrate sufficient experience

• The adoption is not considered to be in the best interest of the animals

 

We reserve the right to refuse adoption at our discretion.

 

6. Long-Term Care Commitment

Hermit crabs are long-lived animals capable of living several decades when properly cared for.

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By adopting captive-bred hermit crabs, you are committing to providing:

• Proper environmental conditions

• A varied and nutritious diet

• Safe and enriched living conditions

• Long-term care for the lifetime of the animal

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7. Acceptance of Terms

By applying to adopt captive-bred hermit crabs, you confirm that:

• You are an experienced hermit crab keeper

• Your habitat meets the minimum standards listed above

• You agree to provide proper lifelong care

• You understand that approval is not guaranteed

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8. Return to Breeder Policy

If at any time an adopter is unable to continue caring for their captive-bred hermit crab(s), the animals must be returned to the original breeder.

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Captive-bred hermit crabs adopted through this program may not be sold, traded, gifted, or rehomed to another individual without prior permission from the breeder.

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This policy ensures that captive-bred hermit crabs remain within responsible, experienced homes and prevents them from entering the general pet trade or unsuitable environments.

If returning the hermit crabs directly is not possible due to distance or circumstances, arrangements must be discussed with the breeder to determine a suitable and approved rehoming solution.

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This policy exists to protect the welfare of captive-bred hermit crabs and maintain the integrity of ethical breeding efforts.

Our mission is to place captive-bred hermit crabs into homes that support the future of ethical hermit crab keeping and the end of the wild-caught hermit crab trade.