New crabitat new owner

[Cottman26]

Hello,

Looking for any advice on this I can get. We decided to get some hermit crabs a few weeks ago. We had 5 of them in a 10 gal tank. I got a good deal on a 29 gal tank so I upgraded. Cleaned the tank and gave them 6 in of substrate (originally they only had an inch or 2 for a few weeks) they all buried in the first 24 hrs after the change. I have 1 I suspected was molting so I burried him during the move gently. We keep the humidity above 60% and temp above 70. I havent seen any evidence of them coming up at night in 3 days. They have freshwater and saltwater dishes and a food dish with a variety of food. Whats going on with them? Is it as simple as moving stress? Should I just keep the water/food fresh and keep spraying the tank until they come up?

[curlysister]

You need to unbury the crab that you buried and isolate him. Crabs make a 'cave' under the substrate to molt, if you bury them once they are dug up, they will suffocate. The substrate needs to be moist enough to hold it's shape but not so wet that water pools. Once a crab has buried, don't dig it up unless there is an emergency such as a flood or bacterial bloom.
Your humidity needs to be higher, at least 75%. Crabs have modified gills and need the humidity to breathe. Your heat also needs to be higher, 75 to 80. Ideal is 80 degrees and 80% humidity. There is no such thing as 'too humid', so higher is okay.
What do you have as a lid on your tank? Are you using a heat source?
What brand of dechlorinator and salt are you using?

[Cottman26]

We have a screen lid and use a heating pad that sticks to the bottom of the tank. Also, what does he need in the isolation tank? Will he eat/drink during molting? He was super active then one day just stopped and sat right on the surface, no fishy smell coming from him, I dont think hes dead. Thanks

[The HermitIX]

We have a screen lid and use a heating pad that sticks to the bottom of the tank. Also, what does he need in the isolation tank? Will he eat/drink during molting? He was super active then one day just stopped and sat right on the surface, no fishy smell coming from him, I dont think hes dead. Thanks

You should cover your screen lid with plastic wrap to keep humidity in! It will help keep your humidity up! Maybe even consider getting a glass lid if you can make the investment. I would also move the heater from the bottom of the tank to the back side, above the substrate or a couple inches below is okay. Crabs expect it to get colder when they dig and they sometimes dig to cool off.

[Cottman26]

Ok, so we added the plastic wrap to the lid, repositioned the heating pad. Temp and humidity are holding at 70% and 75 degrees. Is it normal for the crabs to stay under for days like this? Is it possible 4 of them were ready to molt when we boight them and have gone underground to do so because they finally can in the deeper soil? 4 oit of 5 havent done anything in 4 days now.

[PinchersAndShells]

Yes, it’s completely normal for them to be buried for long periods of time. They can go underground for several months and be fine.

[Cottman26]

Ok so after 1 day with the plastic on the tank smells awful. I'm worried it will cause mildew or mold in the substrate. Is this common?

[ThatMamaDawn]

What is your substrate? Does it just smell like a wet soil smell instead of moldy?


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Mama of 4 PP’s: Crabby, Hermie, Mr. Crabs, & Squidward

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[Cottman26]

It's all EE, I'm not really sure how to describe the smell. It just stinks.

[PinchersAndShells]

EE tends to have an earthy smell. Smells you need to be worried about are a sulfur or rotting egg smell (indicates a bacterial bloom), and the dead fish smell (indicates a dead crab). Otherwise it’s typically pretty normal and nothing to be concerned about, unless it’s a chemical smell in which case might be a completely different issue. I’d double check for any rotting food that might have been dragged off.

[Cottman26]

Ok, we got the smell and humidity straightened out! Plastic works well, we cut 1 inch strips off the plastic to allow fresh air but the tank is holding with a morning and night misting. 3 crabs have still not been seen since we changed to the larger tank and gave them deeper substrate. I'm thinking they were ready to molt but the conditions werent right so as soon as it was they went down to do just that? Does that sound reasonable? We did lose a crab but after someone at the pet store we purchased from looked at it she decided they should have never sold it to us because he was stuck in too small a shell and was doomed from the start. After changing tanks (if they are not molting) is it normal for them to disappear and not come out, even at night for a while?

[Hermiesguardian]

Ok, we got the smell and humidity straightened out! Plastic works well, we cut 1 inch strips off the plastic to allow fresh air but the tank is holding with a morning and night misting. 3 crabs have still not been seen since we changed to the larger tank and gave them deeper substrate. I'm thinking they were ready to molt but the conditions werent right so as soon as it was they went down to do just that? Does that sound reasonable? We did lose a crab but after someone at the pet store we purchased from looked at it she decided they should have never sold it to us because he was stuck in too small a shell and was doomed from the start. After changing tanks (if they are not molting) is it normal for them to disappear and not come out, even at night for a while?

Yes they bury to de stress. They can stay under for awhile even though not molting. If you smooth out the substrate and they come out at night, you will see evidence.

[curlysister]

If you have trouble keeping the humidity, you don't actually need to have any openings in the plastic wrap - they will get enough air exchange when you open up to change out water, food, etc. Some people have had trouble with flooding if they mist too much, so just be sure to watch for that.

[ThatMamaDawn]

3 crabs have still not been seen since we changed to the larger tank and gave them deeper substrate. I'm thinking they were ready to molt but the conditions werent right so as soon as it was they went down to do just that?

I changed my tank to give my crabs a bigger tank and deeper substrate. All 4 crabs disappeared right away. I’ve seen one moving in and out of my moss pit for a few times BUT my biggest crab just got active again the night before last. And he molted. So I wouldn’t worry unless you get the dead fish smell.



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Mama of 4 PP’s: Crabby, Hermie, Mr. Crabs, & Squidward

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cottman26]

UPDATE: one of the crabs we have not seen since July resurfaced last night! Spotted him on the climbing net.