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Crab out of shell
Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 11:45 am
by Hotr0801
My hermit crab is out of its shell, buried up against the glass in my tank. He seems lethargic but makes movement. Should I be concerned about it?
Re: Crab out of shell
Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 4:47 pm
by hermitsssss
is the crab molting? if you have other crabs i would suggjest isolating the crab and suppling it with lots of salt water and good foods, what is the humidity, tep, size, and depth of substrate, as well as how many crabs in the tank, these will help to assess the problem more but when this happens it can be a surface molt- check to see if it is just an exoskelton or the actual crab.
I am not totaly sure on this,but I feel that i needed to reply my thoughts.
btw, please dont mind my spelling
Re: Crab out of shell
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2024 10:57 am
by I<3Crabo's
I would definitely set up an isolation tank. And he needs to get back into a shell. Within the iso tank you can put the crab into a container with a little bit of fresh water in the bottom and you can put in at least three shells and the one he was in before he left it. then make it dark by putting a towel over it and leave him be for a bit. Also provide him with lots of protein and calcium. You can give him honey and peanut butter to help him rebuild his strength. But don't forget to also be feeding him fruits and veggies. HOWEVER if he is surface molting and you do see an exoskeleton near or next to him do it move him. Take a plastic bottle and cut it in half. Then take the part that has the lid on it and carefully put it on top of him but make sure to push it down into the substrate a little bit to prevent other crabs from tipping it over (unscrew the lid and take it off that way humidity can still get in). By doing this it will allow him to peacefully molt without letting any other crabs disturb him. Make sure that you do leave his exoskeleton with him because he will eat it throughout his molt.
Good luck!
Re: Crab out of shell
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2024 11:31 am
by hermitsssss
I<3Crabo's wrote: ↑Sat Jun 01, 2024 10:57 am
I would definitely set up an isolation tank. And he needs to get back into a shell. Within the iso tank you can put the crab into a container with a little bit of fresh water in the bottom and you can put in at least three shells and the one he was in before he left it. then make it dark by putting a towel over it and leave him be for a bit. Also provide him with lots of protein and calcium. You can give him honey and peanut butter to help him rebuild his strength. But don't forget to also be feeding him fruits and veggies. HOWEVER if he is surface molting and you do see an exoskeleton near or next to him do it move him. Take a plastic bottle and cut it in half. Then take the part that has the lid on it and carefully put it on top of him but make sure to push it down into the substrate a little bit to prevent other crabs from tipping it over (unscrew the lid and take it off that way humidity can still get in). By doing this it will allow him to peacefully molt without letting any other crabs disturb him. Make sure that you do leave his exoskeleton with him because he will eat it throughout his molt.
Good luck!
question concerning the post above-
[i never knew this trick to use the bottle, and i did not start this string but if the bottle is too small could i just use a small bin? if i use a bottlle, should i leave the outer sticker thing on it? or will the sticker residue be harmful as well. if i do use a bin so, i would cut some holes into it but not sure if that would work the same]
Re: Crab out of shell
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2024 11:31 pm
by curlysister
How long has he been underground?
Are you certain the crab is out of the shell? Could it be that he has shed his exo, and that is what you are seeing? Could it be that he is actually be still in the shell but just with his legs somewhat forward as he molts?