HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi again everyone!

The little crab at the store is still there and I love him with all of my heart. Missing his largest claw and one or two leg segments, but is still the most active crab there!

Now for the bad part: he may have mites? I have only seen small white bugs on the inside of his shell two or three times. It's hard to tell if they're just normal mites or parasites.

Should I attempt to treat him for the mites first? Or should I allow him to molt for the first time?

I have a feeling letting him molt would greatly reduce the chance of a PPS, but it also seems like it would be better to eradicate the (potential?) mites first so they don't infect anyone else.

I do have an ISO tank empty for him.

Wait so is he moulting now? If not, I'd treat for mites and then allow him to moult if it was me...

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Inside the seashell, not on the crab itself? If not on the crab, don't worry, not mites!

Sorry about the confusion! I don't have him yet. I was just pondering what I should do for him when I do get him. Is there an easy way to check for stuck on mites? My vision isn't the best lol!

My guess is that they were probably food mites. The mites that harm crabs are red. They are usually visible at the joints of the crabs, antennas or on the eyes. There are gill mites to, but you cannot view those without harming the crab. I have luckily never come across these mites in all of my years of crabbing.

Edit: Harmful mites aren't only red.. I was thinking of H. Miles mites when thinking about what harmful mites look like, when those are what kill the harmful mites. That is a big oops on my part. I'm sorry to anyone that I have misinformed!!! I have ordered the H. Miles mites for my tank and since then I can say I have never had spring tails or food mites. They can be pricey.

You can be easily fooled! I was tricked thinking my new crab had mites, but it was just a tiny little food mite that was on the shell!