Habitat for Hermit Crabs
Habitat Ideas, DIY Decor, How-to's!
A habitat for hermit crabs is often affectionately referred to as a “CRABITAT”. There are lots of ways to create a safe, healthy hermit crabitat. We’ve got lots of ideas for small to large enclosures, from tanks to large furniture hacks.
Provide these 8 essential elements in your habitat and your hermit crabs will live happy, healthy lives.
We’ve got lots of ideas and photos to share, for different types of enclosures and elements so you can create a fantastic habitat that will be enjoyable for both your hermit crab pets AND for you!
By Fred (and Chris) | Updated 04/15/26
As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Habitat Ideas for Enclosures
Very young hermit crabs are tiny, but they grow fast. Chances are you’re starting off with 2-3 very small hermit crabs. Maybe you bought them from a beach gift shop, or a local pet store.
Your hermit crab pets can live more than 20 years, and they can make excellent low-maintenance pets. Their crabitats can add life to your home, whether in a small tank, a medium terrarium, or a large beautiful furniture crabitat hack.
Provide the 8 essential elements every hermit crab habitat needs, and they’ll live long happy, healthy lives.
Plastic, wire, glass, wood… there are lots of different types of habitats to choose. Keep in mind hermit crabs need some humidity, a little fresh air and a secure top on the enclosure so they can’t escape and hurt themselves! Tanks, aquariums, vivariums and similar glass enclosures tend to be the best choices. Click for ideas!
Small Glass Aquariums (Tanks) with Mesh Tops
10-20 Gallon Aquariums Make Good Quarantine and Starter Enclosures
If you bought your hermit crabs from a beach gift shop or pet store, chances are you’re starting off with a small plastic hermie transport.
But they are made as a carrying case only, and not suitable for an actual habitat enclosure.
The minimum starter size for a healthy hermit crab habitat for 2-3 very small hermit crabs is a 10 gallon aquarium (tank).
It will need a mesh top because they can crawl out, and they need good air flow.
Here’s a 15 gallon tank on Amazon like the one in our photos, that comes with the needed mesh top.
Medium Terrarium Habitat Enclosures
Medium habitats for hermit crabs include terrariums found in the reptile section of your local pet store. Or see this Repti Zoo 67 gallon tall terrarium above. Its got 6″ on the bottom for substrate, plus a lot of climbing space above. Dimension are 24″ wide x 18″ deep x 36″ tall.
There are a few similar terrarium models on the market but most don’t have a bottom section that’s deep enough (below where the front door opens) for growing hermit crabs.
Large Furniture Crabitat Hacks
Large wooden or glass display cabinets can make fantastic (and beautiful) hermit crab habitat hacks!
Once you understand the general needs of your hermit crab pets, and the 8 essential elements needed in the habitat… converting a display cabinet into a wonderful crabitat can make a very rewarding project.
These large habitat hacks will give your hermies lots more space to grow and explore and be happy. And you’ll love it to, once you add lighting and landscaping – it can become a tropical focal point in your home.
8 Hermit Crab Habitat Essential Elements
These eight essentials are what you need to provide, for long-living and happy hermit crab pets.
See my blog for more helpful information on hermit crab habitat setups and basic needs here: Hermit Crab Habitat Setup and Basic Needs
- Water bowls (fresh and saltwater)
- Food and dish
- Extra shells
- Substrate
- Hiding spots
- Climbing elements
- Humidity and Temp Gauge
More Crabitat Ideas
- rope ladders
- bridges
- make fake rock mountains and caves (DIY project!)
- plants
- coconut hideaways
- water pools
- landscaping and decor ideas
- moving water
- fishing net
- sheet moss
- Hermie Huts and Crab Shacks
Grow microgreens for a healthy, natural plant addition to your hermit crab habitat landscaping!
Tips for a Healthier Habitat
Create safe (fun) elements for your hermit crabs to climb on, hide in, enjoy! Wood, non-toxic paints, glues, sealers, expandable foam… click for ideas and products used in this project.
Hermit crabs LOVE exploring, climbing, inspecting, hiding. It’s what they do in the wild! This structure was built in the middle section of a tall Ikea Detolf Hermit Crab Habitat Hack. Click for details on the project!
Some hermit crab pet owners end up having issues with ants, mildew, mites, mal-nutrition, injuries and other issues that cause bad health. There are some easy things you can do to help avoid these challenges, and some easy systems to implement to ensure the health of your hermit crabs.
Most important:
1) clean, fresh de-toxified water daily and a variety of fresh healthy foods
2) avoid plastics and metals and anything potentially toxic in the habitat
3) provide plenty of substrate, and as deep as possible
4) place plenty of extra empty shells
See more!
Attractiveness
There’s no reason your hermit crab habitat shouldn’t be an attractive, interesting focal point in your home! Bring the outdoors in, show it off, light it up, make it fun! Crabitats can be beautiful terrariums or vivariums that will wow your family, friends and most especially, make your hermies happy!
Fun and Stimulation
Behaviors
Crabitat endless possibilities: aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, pieces of furniture, glass display cases!
As long as you plan ahead, and consider and incorporate the six factors listed above, your hermies can live in captivity for more than 20 years!
If you want a larger sized crabitat but don’t think you have the space, consider using a taller and less wide base. We created our current crabitat from the Ikea Detolf, which is approximately 16″ wide, and 64″ tall.
The biggest challenge was lighting and creating enough of a space for large hermit crabs on the bottom for water (space for a bath) and enough substrate for burrowing and molting. We ended up putting a smaller saltwater dish on the 2nd level.
We also love the Exo Terra terrariums (usually in the reptile section) which have two large front doors that open out, and a large bottom for plenty of substrate for molting and burrowing.
We actually started our crabitat adventure with a small 12x12x12 version, but our hermies quickly grew out of it and we sized up to a larger version. And a few years ago we decided to experiment with the Ikea Detolf, which gave our hermies six levels and plenty of climbing room. The downside? They grow quickly and big!!
