Less Active

[Slach]

I’ve had my two hermit crabs since June and when I first got them I had them in a traveling tank (didn’t know that they needed a larger one). Now I have them both in a 10 gallon and they are both small so for now I know it’s okay until I can get a 20+. Recently they haven’t been as active and I’ve tried increasing the heat, getting a new thermostat, adding more branches/bark for them to climb, added more moisture through a damp towel on the top (not a long term solution just till I can figure out why they aren’t moving as much) and saw that adding honey with there food may help. So far nothing has worked it doesn’t seem like they are even moving at night and they aren’t touching their food. Any suggestions for things to try or better ways to improve the moisture in their cage to make them more active?

[curlysister]

What are your current heat and humidity readings?

Have either of them molted since you got them?

[Slach]

No they have not molted yet and heat is around 80-82 and the humidity is around 40-50. I just cleaned their entire tank like took everything out including the crabs and after a couple minutes on a towel while I cleaned the tank next to them they started to get more active than inside the tank.

[CrabbyLover77]

No they have not molted yet and heat is around 80-82 and the humidity is around 40-50. I just cleaned their entire tank like took everything out including the crabs and after a couple minutes on a towel while I cleaned the tank next to them they started to get more active than inside the tank.

Constant humidity below 70% can stress them, and/or cause death. Crabs have modified gills and need moisture in the air to breathe. A good number for humidity is 80%+. A towel on top will not work to hold in moisture, it will absorb it since it is porous. If you have a mesh lid, wrap it completely in plastic/saran wrap.
If you've had them since June, they should have molted by now. Is your substrate moistened to sand castle consistency using dechlor fresh or salt water? They need the substrate that way to dig down and molt, and it also keeps the tank humid.
The crabs are more active when you take them out of the tank because they are stressed/afraid.
Try to raise your humidity asap and you'll likely see a difference in their activity.

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[Slach]

Any suggestions on things to add inside the tank to get the moisture up?

[curlysister]

Any suggestions on things to add inside the tank to get the moisture up?

CL77 gave you good advice. Moisten your substrate with dechlorinated water to sand castle consistency, have the sub at least 2-3 times as deep as your largest crab, use plastic wrap over the top of your tank. Then see what your humidity level is.

[Slach]

So the humid has been over 80 and I think they are both molting but I can’t tell. The smaller one of the two I have no idea where is at like no hole or anything should I look in the tank for it? The second one I thought was molting it started four days ago and then came up for food and water then buried itself again (it’s done it twice now) but this one I saw the hole it dug to begin with. Any suggestions what to do with either of them cause I honestly don’t know if the second one has finish molting?

[CrabbyLover77]

So the humid has been over 80 and I think they are both molting but I can’t tell. The smaller one of the two I have no idea where is at like no hole or anything should I look in the tank for it? The second one I thought was molting it started four days ago and then came up for food and water then buried itself again (it’s done it twice now) but this one I saw the hole it dug to begin with. Any suggestions what to do with either of them cause I honestly don’t know if the second one has finish molting?

If the humidity is good and the sand isn't completely dry to the point that they can't tunnel and make caves, don't dig for them, just let them do their thing. My crabs go up and down all the time. They dig to relieve stress, molt, or just for fun.

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[Slach]

Now that I’ve increased the humidity and heat they are both around the 80s, the sand is dry. I’ve sprayed the top layer and when I push my fingers into the sand it just crumbles. The larger hermit crab that’s molting I can see since it’s up along side the glass and it hasn’t really moved from that area but the other one I have no idea where it is at and don’t know if it would be able to climb up if the sand keeps falling. The smaller one also I believe started molting around Feb 5th and the other one was about the 10th. Is there anything I should do at this point to help either of them the tank also does not smell so I’m assuming they are both alive?

[JoeHermits]

It’s normal for the first inch or so of sand to be dry. As long as it’s still at an appropriate level of saturation underneath the crabs will be able to function just fine


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[Slach]

It seems as though the same is dry all the way to the bottom which is why I’m nervous the smaller one can’t climb up should I still just wait and how do I fix the substrate?

[CrabbyLover77]

It seems as though the same is dry all the way to the bottom which is why I’m nervous the smaller one can’t climb up should I still just wait and how do I fix the substrate?

If all of the substrate is dry, then I would remove the crabs so you can fix it. They won't be able to properly dig/tunnel if it's all dry. Be prepared to isolate anyone that may be molting. You'll want to add dechlorinated fresh or salt water to the sand. Mix it up. Give it a squeeze here and there to check the consistency. Once you can squeeze the sand and it holds it's shape (but isn't dripping wet), you're good to go.

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[Slach]

Thank you is there anything else I should be doing to keep the sand from drying up again my humidity is still at 80 as well as the temperature?

[CrabbyLover77]

Thank you is there anything else I should be doing to keep the sand from drying up again my humidity is still at 80 as well as the temperature?

Yw. If your lid is mesh, do you have it completely wrapped in plastic wrap? That will trap all of the moisture inside and keep the sand wet.

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[Slach]

It’s completely wrapped I’m in the process of ordering a new lid also I found the smaller crab and he was not molting and doesn’t smell but I’m not sure if he’s alive how do I know?