Post by Sach-Crabministrator on Sept 11, 2011 1:26:40 GMT -5
Specific Care for a Coenobita Violascens
The following is based on the experience other crabbers have shared over the internet about their Violas, as well as other web research.
**Written by Crabministrator
**Photo from The British Tarantula Society
{You may print this to use or to distribute to stores, no other reproductions without permission}
Temperature/Humidity
Violascens need temperatures and humidity around 85*F/29.44C and 85% like most other land species.
Substrate
Violascens are comfortable in a mix of about 5 parts sand to 1 part bio-matter (such as coconut fiber).
Be sure to moisten your substrate to a sand castle consistency. You should be able to make a hole with your finger and have the hole stay intact once you remove said finger.
Food
It's important to feed your land hermit crabs a wide variety of fresh and organic foods. There some reputable vendors who sell good crabby supplements but they should get lots of fruits, veggies, protein, calcium, etc.
All land hermit crabs need calcium and protein on a daily basis. You can offer these in the following ways: cuttlebone, coral, oyster shell or egg shells are good for for calcium; nuts, eggs, shrimp and other meats are good for protein. These are just some of the many sources of calcium and protein you can feed your crabbies!
Water
Each Violascens should be able to dip their shell into a pool of dechlorinated fresh water and an ocean grade salt water.
Other Favorites
Violascens are known to be the most aggressive of the land hermit crabs and actually have what's called a "predatory" claw. In the wild, they actually hunt for other small invertebrates & fish along the shoreline.
Violascens love to climb and hang out in trees, so be sure to have plenty of things for them to climb on and sleep in.
Combining with other species
Violascens should be kept in a tank by themselves as they will dig up molting crabs and eat them.
You should never have just one of a species, get Crabby a species-buddy!
If I've left anything important out or if something needs to be changed - let me know!