Not sure if it’s an emergency or normal?! Newbie here

[Nessiandnoah]

Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks!


1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Eco earth and playsand mixed and moistened


2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
Yes, finally 75-80 temp and 80 humidity

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heating pads on the side of the tank

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
Fresh water and salt water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Veggies, fruit, shrimp, egg shells, etc

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have 4 crabs...2 I have had a couple years and the other two are new about 2 months

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
One of them molted a couple months ago maybe

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
20 gallon tank with Saran Wrap top

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 total, 2 medium and 2 small

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
10

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I Don’t I just freshen water and food and clean out any food debree

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Yes....a new heating pad

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

Ok so idk if this is an emergency or not....so....when I first started with hermit crabs I had them in a 10 gallon tank and about 1 inch of eco earth and it was not humid or warm enough. But I always saw my crabs out and about or in their hut....fast forward to the future....I have 4 crabs, a 20 gallon tank, enough eco earth and playsand they can bury deep. The humidity stays around 70 and I was struggling to keep them warm so I just bought a new heating pad and it keeps it around 75-80 now their crabitat is finally warm and humid enough for them, I am feeding them their proper diet, and have salt and fresh water for them.....my only concern now is I NEVER see them! Ever since I got their cage set up properly, they stay buried! I was seeing that they were eating the food I gave them at first, but once I got a new heating pad, I don’t see evidence that they are coming up or eating :-/ I even check on them at night to see if I spot any of them outside, but they are all buried all the time it seems should I dig them up? Should I leave them alone? The 2 newest crabs I got....the pet store said they always bury during the day and come out at night, but the ones I have always had (mostly because they didn’t have deep enough substrate at first)....they never buried themselves and didn’t at first once I have them better substrate, but now they are all gone! I don’t think they’ve escaped. There’s no way they could get out so I am assuming they are buried, but I just haven’t noticed any good gone for a few days now. What do I do???

[Hermiesguardian]

How long have they had deep enough substrate? Maybe they're molting because they finally can. They can be under from weeks to months. You can smooth out the top of the substrate and then you would be able to see any claw prints.

[ciaraalston]

Molting is a compliment! their conditions are just right and they feel comfortable going down. Mine stay under for at least 4 months at a time. They'll come up for a couple of weeks to a month, then back down again! If you dont smell a foul odor, they're most likely digging tunnels or molting. I wouldnt worry (easier said than done!)

Edited to add: ive always said hermit crabs are the "worst" pets! They spend most of their time under the sub so we rarely see them, and when we do they run!! You really gotta have some serious patience with them. The more i research them, the cooler they are. I just rarely get to enjoy their coolness

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[JoeHermits]

Disappearing for months on end is just something hermit crabs do. Try to be patient, they’ll come back eventually!


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[doth]

i agree they are probably just appreciating their new home when I first got my crabs they spent a few weeks digging around & destressing before their first molt, so even if they are down longer than a usual molt that can be normal.

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[Nessiandnoah]

It’s been maybe a month since they’ve had deep enough substrate and the newbie crabs buried immediately. But my regular crabs still hung out on the top until I guess they realized they could bury and so now they are gone lol no foul odor so that’s good. It’s just I was so used to seeing them all the time when I was apparently neglecting them ugh, but I am glad it’s normal and I will be patient. They are the worst pets, but I still love them lol ok thanks y’all!

[hyelah1990]

What ever you do... DO NOT DIG THEM UP!! Only if you have a flood or bacterial bloom. The others are right, they are probably molting. Just be patient