Post by Sach-Crabministrator on Jun 2, 2013 18:22:40 GMT -5
Specific Care for a Coenobita Variabilis
**Edited by Sach, with species specific information provided by experienced Aussie owners & written by captive C.Variabilis breeder, Natalie van Amstel (Natatat). Photo courtesy of Vanessa Pike-Russell.
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Temperature/Humidity
Variabilis are happiest when their environment has a temperature of 25-32 degrees Celsius {77*-89.6*F} (averaging around 28 or so during the day {82.4*F} and a humidity of 70-85% (averaging around 80% or so) with a drop in both temperature & humidity at night as there would be in the wild. It has been known that Variabilis can be found basking in much higher temperatures during summer, If your temperature falls below 21 degrees Celsius {68*F} they will become dormant & it could quickly become fatal.
Substrate
Clean straight play sand is enjoyed by the C.Variabilis, though play sand & Eco Earth mix in an 8:1 ratio will do just fine, we strongly recommend against using straight Eco Earth. The substrate needs to be at least 5 times deeper than your largest variabilis so he/she can fully burrow.
Be sure to moisten your substrate to a sand castle consistency with marine-grade salt water (note that salt does not evaporate and the salinity will increase if you keep adding ocean water to the sub to keep it moist, hence only dechlorinated fresh water should be used to adjust the substrate moisture level, this applies to the moss pit too). You should be able to make a hole with your finger and have the hole stay intact once you remove said finger.
Shells
Shells that have a round or D shaped opening are often favored by variabilis.This includes Nerite, Tonna, Babylonia, Turbo, Phasianella & land snail shells. Many seem to prefer Phasianella shells. Larger shells should be provided as a crab with a shell that is to small cannot grow as fast as a crab with a larger fitting shell.
Food
It's important to feed your land hermit crabs a wide variety of fresh and organic foods. A few favorites of the Variabilis include: crushed oyster shell, frozen brine shrimp, worm castings, popcorn & various types of fruit and fish.
Water
Each crab should be able to fully submerge their shell into a pool of dechlorinated fresh water and salt water, ensure that your crabs can quickly and easily exit their pools. It is important that variabilis have access to marine-grade salt water at all times.
Lighting
UVA & UVB Lighting are important to all species; UVA has been shown to increase the color of Land Hermit Crabs & UVB increases absorption of vitamin D.
Other Favorites
Coenobita Varaibilis are considered to be a very active species. A few of their favorite things to play in/on are: moss pits (also a great snack & increases humidity in the crabitat), driftwood, coconut huts & foliage to climb on.
Combining with other species
Variabilis are socially dependent and live in large colonies in the wild. When kept in captivity they are happiest with several buddies. Because not enough is known at this time about how they get along with the species we get in the US; the only species I would advise combining them with would be c.perlatus (straws) if any, since they are the only other species who lives near variabilis in Australia.