HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My largest hermit crab, Jem, is a little bit on the larger medium side. He went down about 9 days ago but he went down right next to the water dishes in a smaller area that was just big enough for him. I want to change the salt water but I am afraid of disturbing him as I am quite clumsy. I also am worried for when he comes back up, what if the other crabs attack and eat him when im at school? I would do the soda bottle thing but the space is too small for it and I dont want to risk hurting him by using something else. What should I do?

The crab should be ISO but if you want to leave him add another water dish. There's a questionnaire you can fill out and it would help others help you

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What kind of container do you use for water? If it's a tupperware container, can you double it up with another of the same size? Or else put a smaller container in the one currently in use? That way you wouldn't desturb him or need to ISO, which is stressful to them.

Dragonfreak wrote:The crab should be ISO but if you want to leave him add another water dish. There's a questionnaire you can fill out and it would help others help you

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I know i should have pkut him in ISO but I just woke up one day and he was under he didnt even show any signs that i know of. And thank you

LadyJinglyJones wrote:What kind of container do you use for water? If it's a tupperware container, can you double it up with another of the same size? Or else put a smaller container in the one currently in use? That way you wouldn't desturb him or need to ISO, which is stressful to them.

Its a really deep square container my mom had found at he dollar store a while back, used for storage I guess, there are two for salt and fresh water and they r right beside each other. I do have gravel in them so the crabs can get out. And thank you for the idea!

He's stressed now.. needs to be ISO get a tank , box, set it up then carefully roll him on a shell or pick up from way underneath him.

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I use tupperware.. if you can move him you'll be able to change what ever you do they need to be able to swim

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Emerald Fox wrote:

Dragonfreak wrote:The crab should be ISO but if you want to leave him add another water dish. There's a questionnaire you can fill out and it would help others help you

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I know i should have pkut him in ISO but I just woke up one day and he was under he didnt even show any signs that i know of. And thank you

You do not have to put a crab in iso just because he dug down. I believe it used to be what was standard procedure, but now we just let them do their thing unless something bad happens. I put two containers down for water, the first with a single layer of pebbles then I sit the second container inside so when I change the water I don't have to worry about digging a new spot for it everytime. I would just add a new water bowl until the crab comes back up.

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Dragonfreak wrote:He's stressed now.. needs to be ISO get a tank , box, set it up then carefully roll him on a shell or pick up from way underneath him.

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Why do you think the crab is stressed? She didn't say anything happened to the crab, and a crab doesn't need to be iso'ed every time the dig down. They dig down all the time, for lots of reasons, including to destress. There is no need to move the crab from his natural cave unless an emergency occurs

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Regardless, is the crabs directly underneath or to the side of the container... (Sorry, but my visualisation is failing right now...) If underneath, you could just use a turkey baster for water changes and so that way, you don't disturb.

That's a good idea

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you could also soak up water with a paper towel or absorbent dishtowel