2 hermit crabs not moving much

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
bbcraft22
Posts: 145
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:09 pm

2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by bbcraft22 » Sat Aug 27, 2016 4:59 pm

My 2 oldest hermit crabs i've been with aren't moving much. They are also not eating. How can I stop this? My third and biggest hermit crab, though, is doing really well.
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." -Jon Bunyan

User avatar

isadoraisacat
Posts: 673
Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2016 6:18 pm
Location: new brunswick, NJ

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by isadoraisacat » Sat Aug 27, 2016 5:02 pm

They don't eat too much i noticed they eat mostly before a molt heavily. But i do catch them eating at night and they are more active at night . Have you tried a moon light to catch them at night when their most active ? Mine don't start moving around until after dark. Arr.yours not active at night ?

Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

User avatar

Topic author
bbcraft22
Posts: 145
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:09 pm

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by bbcraft22 » Sat Aug 27, 2016 7:08 pm

I don't know. Where and what is a moon light?
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." -Jon Bunyan

User avatar

isadoraisacat
Posts: 673
Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2016 6:18 pm
Location: new brunswick, NJ

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by isadoraisacat » Sat Aug 27, 2016 8:14 pm

bbcraft22 wrote:I don't know. Where and what is a moon light?
A moon light bulb it's a light that mimics the moons light so you an view them at night with out turning on the lights. You can buy them at pet smart and a cheap desk lamp with a goose neck for 8 dollars at Walmart and turn it on to view just don keep it on unattended for safety

Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

User avatar

Topic author
bbcraft22
Posts: 145
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:09 pm

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by bbcraft22 » Sun Aug 28, 2016 11:16 am

I woke up to see they are both in a hiding place. One moved away after, but the first one is still there. i am not playing with her so I can see if she will stay there forever. But as again, my third is doing good.
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." -Jon Bunyan

User avatar

Topic author
bbcraft22
Posts: 145
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:09 pm

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by bbcraft22 » Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:00 pm

still there...
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." -Jon Bunyan

User avatar

Topic author
bbcraft22
Posts: 145
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:09 pm

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by bbcraft22 » Sun Aug 28, 2016 3:12 pm

what should I do if they are still there by tomorrow?
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." -Jon Bunyan


sandrac213
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:24 am

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by sandrac213 » Mon Aug 29, 2016 9:39 am

I'm having the same issue. I have 2 small crabs that I've had for about 3 weeks now and they just haven't moved in like 3 days. The tank is 20 gallons, kept right around 80 - 85 degrees and 80% humidity, 6 inches of play sand and coconut fiber. Fresh and Salt Water, climbing toys etc. I have a third that's fine, he's running around playing etc. They aren't dead, just haven't moved. I smooth out the sand near the food and no marks in the sand either. Any ideas? P.S. I have 4 others that are down under for the last week.

User avatar

Rawrgeous
Posts: 1505
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 3:27 pm
Location: Nebraska

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by Rawrgeous » Mon Aug 29, 2016 9:46 am

This sounds like post purchase syndrome to me. I'm going to link a sticky that describes it. http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92531

Sent from my VS880PP using Tapatalk


sandrac213
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:24 am

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by sandrac213 » Mon Aug 29, 2016 10:20 am

Thank you very much. Could very well be what is going on. These two were purchased at the same time from a beach gift store with horrendous conditions. I haven't handled them and they are in a quiet room, so we will just have to wait and see. I hope they come out of it :(

User avatar

KayedeeLove<3
Posts: 1267
Joined: Mon May 23, 2016 10:34 pm

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by KayedeeLove<3 » Mon Aug 29, 2016 11:24 am

If you guys post the emergency template questions answered we could help you better! The best way to help this situation is leave them completely alone and provide them the best conditions you can. I don't mean to sound harsh at all, im sure when we bring these guys home they feel like the victim in a killer movie. So when we pick them up on top of pps it stresses them to the max!
Oh maybe try adding a bit of all natural honey.


Sent from my LGMS330 using Tapatalk


sandrac213
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:24 am

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by sandrac213 » Tue Aug 30, 2016 6:55 am

Unfortunately last night when I got home I found Flounder passed away and it looks like Sebastian might not be far behind :( These are two from the beach shop that were in horrible conditions. The third from that shop is doing well and is now down under molting. He was eating a lot and then went down.

User avatar

Topic author
bbcraft22
Posts: 145
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:09 pm

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by bbcraft22 » Tue Aug 30, 2016 7:00 am

bbcraft22 wrote:what should I do if they are still there by tomorrow?
Well, One was in a different spot, but one was still there
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." -Jon Bunyan

User avatar

Topic author
bbcraft22
Posts: 145
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:09 pm

Re: 2 hermit crabs not moving much

Post by bbcraft22 » Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:43 am

now the other one left and changed shells. But he changed back :(
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." -Jon Bunyan

Post Reply