How Much is a Hermit Crab – All Expenses in 2024

Hermit crab prices can vary on many factors such as species, the rarity of the species, which region you live in, the size of the crab, etc. If you live near a coastal area you can get hermit crab at a cheaper price or for free by adopting. Or if you want a species that doesn’t belong to your region that would be costly. You will also be unable to find a rare or specific hermit crab you like in your region.

So here are some common and hardy species you will find everywhere. These crabs do not need much attention and that’s why they are popular amongst hermit crab enthusiasts. If you are thinking of buying hermit crabs as pets, you can start with these species.

You can find this cheaper in the local store. There are many species (over 800). So you won’t find all species for sale but some interesting and nice colored hermits are –

So we can say the average cost of a hermit crab is $21. Again it depends on various factors.

This may look like hermit crabs are very costly compared to their size but let me tell you – the crabs you see in the local store or online, all are taken from their natural habitat. They don’t breed in captivity. Sometimes they breed but it is very rare. This is a factor behind their price. But it is very less compared to other pets if you think.

But here doesn’t end the cost. There are many other things to consider about the cost. Fixed costs such as tank, bowls, toys, hideouts, climbing medium and variable costs such as food, reef salt, substrate, and water.

List of fixed supplies and cost

If you want to own hermit crabs. You have to fulfill these minimum requirements for their care and maintenance.

First, you have to decide how many crabs you want to keep in the enclosure. They are social animals so you have to buy a minimum of a pair of them (male and female), 4 to 6 will be great. But we will calculate the expense for two crabs.

• Tank – For two crabs you will need 10 gallon tank (5 gallons each). Without a lid, a tan-gallon glass tank will cost around $15. But hermit crabs will leave the tank and explore your home if the tank doesn’t have a lid. So you will need an extra $20 for the lid. The final cost for the tank is $35.
• Heating pad – Many people will suggest that any heating medium is enough for hermit crabs such as heating rock, heat lamp, and heat pad, which is not true. The only heat source that will work is a heat pad. Which will cost $15 to $40 depending on the brand.
• Thermometer – To inspect the temperature you will need a thermometer which will cost only $5.
• Mister – A mister bottle is needed to keep the enclosure humidity high which will cost $5 to $10.
• Hygrometer – and to inspect the humidity, a hygrometer is needed, a hygrometer will cost around $15.
• Bowls – 3 bowls are needed, two for water (fresh water and saltwater) and one for food, which will cost around $15.
• Logs – $12 for a half-pipe log, $10 for aquarium wood, and $10 for some cholla wood. The total cost will be $32.
• Hideouts – 1 hiding place for one crab. $12 for mossy cave hideouts, and $10 for Spongebob’s pineapple house, a total of $22.
• Climbing medium – A coco fiber climbing carper, climbing rope, or ladder will cost around $15 or $20.

The cost can go on, depending on how much you can spend. But if you like to minimize the cost as much as possible here are a few things that can replace the above cost and is much cheaper.

List of variable costs and supplies for hermit crab

Substrate – For 10 gallon tank the substrate cost can go up to $7 a month.

Food – You can skip the diet cost by not giving commercial food. Fresh food and vegetables will be more than enough. For treats and dry foods, the diet cost can go up to $10 a month.

Reef salt – Iodized salt won’t work, they will need sea salt/reef salt. Which will cost $3 a month.

Shells – Hermit crabs change their shells whenever they like, that’s why you need to give them plenty of shells. You can buy 20 different sizes of shells for $10. So monthly shell cost will be less than $1.

So there you go with the budget idea. We suggest first you start with 4 hermit crabs. But if your budget is strict, start with two.

Can one hermit crab live alone?

It may sound like hermit crab lives alone by their name, but they are social animals. They do many social things like gathering, exchanging shells, and attracting females with specific body language. A hermit crab can live up to 11-15 years in captivity with proper care. But 1 one crab will get lonely and can’t spend his whole life alone. It will affect their behavior resulting in death. So try to bring at least two crabs.

Read: How you can set up the hermit crab tank.

Read: How to care hermit crabs.