PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Pets and Animals
Crustaceans
Crabs
How to Care for Ghost Crabs Download Article Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved
Download Article
Providing a Good Environment
|
Caring For Your Crabs
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 112,939 times.
Ghost crabs can be great pets. They are fun to watch as they dart around and dig their burrows in the sand. To care for ghost crabs you will need a large tank with plenty of deep sand for them to dig in. You will need to provide a varied diet, constant access to saltwater, and make sure they have a stimulating environment.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Providing a Good Environment
Download Article
1 Get a large tank. The first step of providing a good environment for your ghost crabs is getting a nice and large tank for them to live in. Aim for a tank around 20 gallons (75.7 L). If you are going to get more than four ghost crabs, you should get a bigger tank.[1]XResearch source
A glass aquarium is the best option for your container, but you can use a cheaper plastic container if necessary.
Make sure that the container you use is strong enough to hold wet sand, which can get heavy.[2]XResearch source
It should also have a lid that fits tightly to stop the crabs from getting out. It should let in air while keeping in the moisture.
2 Add some sand. Once you have your container you need to get it ready for your ghost crabs. Ghost crabs live on beaches and you need to try to replicate this environment in your home “crabitat.” Start by pouring in some safe sand to use as substrate. The sand should be at least a few inches deep, and ideally you should half-fill the tank. Ghost crabs like to dig into the sand so you need to give the space to do this.[3]XResearch source
You can buy “crab sand” at your local pet store, but it will generally be quite expensive.
A cheaper option is to buy clean play sand from a hardware store. As long as the sand has not been contaminated it should be fine for your crab. Check for any tears in the bag, discolouration, smells or leaks before you buy.
You can also use coconut fibre substrate, or use a combination of this with some clean play sand.[4]XResearch source
Advertisement
3 Provide a varied environment. After you have added the sand substrate, you need to add some extra elements to create a more stimulating and varied environment for your crabs. Place a few clean seashells around the tank, and add in some plastic plants and bits of driftwood. Make places where they can hide, and clamber around.[5]XResearch source
Provide a sloped area of sand to help with burrowing.
Avoid putting in any resinous (evergreen) wood into the tank. Cedar and pine can irritate crabs.[6]XResearch source
4 Keep it humid. Crabs need a humid environment to live in. Buy a humidity gauge for your tank so you always know what the level of humidity is. For crabs like ghost crabs, you should generally aim for around 70% humidity. If you regularly check the gauge you can just spray in some clean untreated water to raise the humidity level.
A humid environment will help them keep their gills moist and help them breathe.[7]XResearch source
Dehydration can have a serious effect on the health and vitality of your crabs.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 2:
Caring For Your Crabs
Download Article
1 Provide your crabs with water. Although ghosts crabs live on land, and cannot actually swim, they do need a constant supply of water. Ghost crabs have to return to water periodically to moisten their gills in order to breathe. In the wild, a ghost crab would walk up to the shoreline and wait till a wave ran over him, before scuttling back up the beach.[8]XResearch source You must ensure your crabs have access to water in their container at all times.
You should ensure you have a dish of saltwater in the tank that you change at least every two weeks.
Create saltwater by mixing two and a half teaspoons of sea or aquarium salt with a gallon of water to reach a gravity reading of around 1.01-1.08.
Be sure you leave the water to sit overnight so that the chlorine and chloramines dissipate before you place it in the tank.
Make sure the dish is easy for your crabs to get in and out of.
You crab can also get moisture from wet sand.[9]XResearch source
2 Feed your crabs. Ghost crabs can be considered both scavengers and predators. They have a broad and varied diet, which includes decomposing plant and animal matter as well as mole crabs, clams and turtle hatchlings they catch on the beach.[10]XResearch source
Provide a variety of vegetables, fruit, fish and meat to your crabs and see which foods they like.
Crabs really enjoy a variety of food, so try different natural foods and have not been treated with any pesticides or chemicals.[11]XResearch source
Avoid too much repetition in your crab’s diet and pay attention to what food he likes the most.[12]XResearch source
You can also buy prepared crab food from your pet store as a reliable and easy option.
3 Clean the tank. Ghost crabs aren’t especially messy or high-maintenance, but you will have to spend some time helping them maintain their environment. You should regularly spot clean the tank, to remove dirty sand and bits of food detritus. Use a sand sifter, fishnet or kitchen strainer to scoop up some sand and sift out the dirty bits. Add in some new sand every few weeks to keep the tank clean and refreshed.[13]XResearch source
Sift the sand more often the more crabs you have.
With one crab, every three weeks is fine. With four, every week. With six or more, it's good to sift every other day.[14]XResearch source
4 Reshape the environment. It’s a good idea to spend a little bit of time reshaping the environment every few weeks to help keep your crabs stimulated. Move the toys and other objects around, alter the lay of the sand, or add a new slop or sand-hill.[15]XResearch source
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
You Might Also Like
How to Create and Maintain a Healthy Hermit Crab TankHow toLook After Pet CrabsHow toMaintain Humidity in a Pet Hermit Crab HabitatHow toSet up a CrabitatHow toCare for a Marine Hermit CrabHermit Crab Care: Everything You Need to Keep Hermies Happy and HealthyHow toPlay With Your Hermit CrabHow toFeed Sand CrabsHow toTake Care of Ghost ShrimpHow toSet Up a Tank for Your Red Clawed CrabHow toFeed Hermit CrabsHow toCare for ScorpionsHow toCare for SnailsHow toGive Your Hermit Crab a Bath Advertisement
Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This article has been viewed 112,939 times. 53 votes - 87% Co-authors: 24Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 112,939 Categories: CrabsArticle SummaryX
To care for ghost crabs, fill a glass aquarium tank that's at least 20 gallons in size with enough sand for your crabs to burrow and dig in. You should also provide your crabs with places to hide and things to climb on, which you can do by adding a few clean shells, plastic plants, or bits of driftwood to their tank. Since dehydration can have a serious effect on a crab's health, make sure to always provide your crabs with a dish of salt water and keep their tank at 70% humidity, which will help them breathe and keep their gills moist. During feeding time, offer your ghost crabs a variety of foods, like vegetables, fruit, fish, and meat, to see which they prefer. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to make salt water for your ghost crabs at home, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
In other languages Spanish French Italian German
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 112,939 times.
Reader Success Stories
C. S.
Mar 22, 2017
"At the beach, and kids have them in a bucket of sand. Will let them go. Have salt water and wet sand and lettuce." Rated this article:
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Co-authors: 24Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 112,93987% of readers found this article helpful. 53 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote
C. S.
Mar 22, 2017
"At the beach, and kids have them in a bucket of sand. Will let them go. Have salt water and wet sand and lettuce." Rated this article:
What Type of Witch Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Kind of Ghost Will I Be QuizTake QuizWhat Sea Creature Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Pet Should I Get QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How to Create and Maintain a Healthy Hermit Crab TankHow toLook After Pet CrabsHow toMaintain Humidity in a Pet Hermit Crab HabitatHow toSet up a Crabitat
Trending Articles
Will I Ever Find Love QuizAm I Autistic QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NameHow toPractice Kissing5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape
Watch Articles
Amazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForHow toDevelop Listening SkillsHow toNot Lose Your GirlfriendHow to Draw an OwlHow toTreat AllergiesHow toIntroduce Friends to Other Friends
Trending Articles
What Would My Nickname Be QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizCan We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Depression Test for TeensHow toBe PrettyHow to Sleep Next to a Snoring Husband: Our 8 Best Tips & Tricks
Quizzes & Games
Bedroom Aesthetic QuizTake QuizSpongeBob Trivia QuizTake QuizWhich SpongeBob Character Am I QuizTake QuizCan You Spot The False Climate Claims QuizTake QuizDaily Water Intake CalculatorMinecraft Trivia QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Pets and Animals
Crustaceans
Crabs
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This article has been viewed 112,939 times. 53 votes - 87% Co-authors: 24 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 112,939 Categories: Crabs Article SummaryX
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
566 
1 Get a large tank. The first step of providing a good environment for your ghost crabs is getting a nice and large tank for them to live in. Aim for a tank around 20 gallons (75.7 L). If you are going to get more than four ghost crabs, you should get a bigger tank.[1] 
2 Add some sand. Once you have your container you need to get it ready for your ghost crabs. Ghost crabs live on beaches and you need to try to replicate this environment in your home “crabitat.” Start by pouring in some safe sand to use as substrate. The sand should be at least a few inches deep, and ideally you should half-fill the tank. Ghost crabs like to dig into the sand so you need to give the space to do this.[3] 
3 Provide a varied environment. After you have added the sand substrate, you need to add some extra elements to create a more stimulating and varied environment for your crabs. Place a few clean seashells around the tank, and add in some plastic plants and bits of driftwood. Make places where they can hide, and clamber around.[5] 
4 Keep it humid. Crabs need a humid environment to live in. Buy a humidity gauge for your tank so you always know what the level of humidity is. For crabs like ghost crabs, you should generally aim for around 70% humidity. If you regularly check the gauge you can just spray in some clean untreated water to raise the humidity level. 
1 Provide your crabs with water. Although ghosts crabs live on land, and cannot actually swim, they do need a constant supply of water. Ghost crabs have to return to water periodically to moisten their gills in order to breathe. In the wild, a ghost crab would walk up to the shoreline and wait till a wave ran over him, before scuttling back up the beach.[8] You must ensure your crabs have access to water in their container at all times. 
2 Feed your crabs. Ghost crabs can be considered both scavengers and predators. They have a broad and varied diet, which includes decomposing plant and animal matter as well as mole crabs, clams and turtle hatchlings they catch on the beach.[10] 
3 Clean the tank. Ghost crabs aren’t especially messy or high-maintenance, but you will have to spend some time helping them maintain their environment. You should regularly spot clean the tank, to remove dirty sand and bits of food detritus. Use a sand sifter, fishnet or kitchen strainer to scoop up some sand and sift out the dirty bits. Add in some new sand every few weeks to keep the tank clean and refreshed.[13] 
4 Reshape the environment. It’s a good idea to spend a little bit of time reshaping the environment every few weeks to help keep your crabs stimulated. Move the toys and other objects around, alter the lay of the sand, or add a new slop or sand-hill.[15] Advertisement 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.