HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Posted: **Fri Jun 30, 2017 1:14 pm**

I have two hermit crabs in a 10 gallon tank. This is all new to us. One has switched shells and seems to have dug down (on Tuesaday), but is not completely buried (can see the top of the shell), but we haven't seen him move since. I found the second crab on top of him the other morning and moved him away. This one has not switched shells but went behind the plant and I didn't see him all day. I can still see his shell, but he looks partially buried as well. Neither crab had eaten much since they came home on Sunday. Would they molt so close to the surface? And are they smart enough to not fully bury themselves If the Substrate is not as wet as it should be, but am nervous to go digging around them as I don't want to cause further stress.

Posted: **Fri Jun 30, 2017 1:25 pm**

Hi. welcome to HCA. Im new to crabbing myself, June marking 1 year. I encourage you to read as much as possible.
From what you've said the digging down seems like destressing. And its perfectly normal. These guys run purely on instinct, so trust them.

NEVER dig them up if they do dissapear. By reading all the care sheets you will have a better idea of whats going on. i came to Crabbin completly blind. There's a lot to take in. The pet shops do little to prepare you for what these guys actually need. And ask tons of questions. The community here helped me so much, i cant put it into words.
Good luck, happy crabbin!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Posted: **Fri Jun 30, 2017 1:41 pm**

Thank you!
From what I can tell they haven't eaten much and haven't been in the water either. I have pellet food now but gave them cooked chicken and some carrots last night that neither touched. Am going to order some food from Hermit Crab Patch and get some instant ocean as well. I'm just worried about them dying! Have been reading the forum topics but will go check out all of the care sheets as well. Would they molt that close to the surface or without a new shell? I need to find some more shells - I have a few in there now but I am concerned about my guy still in his painted shell (the other one ditched his and I took it out). One of the empty shells is painted but have left it so there is more than one option for the moment. If he hasn't taken it by the time I get more, it will come out then.

How do I get the substrate wetter with them buried? I mist at least twice daily, being careful not to spray them. When they come back up, should be re-wet all of the substrate by removing them temporarily? It's definitely not sand-castle wet. The first one that went down seems to have dug a little deeper....worried about tunnels/caves collapsing and suffocating them.

Posted: **Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:33 pm**

Hello! Perhaps instead of The Hermit Crab Patch, you could try Hermie's Kitchen...they have free shipping this weekend. I've never ordered from them, but others say they are good.

Perhaps you could fill out the emergency template so that we can help you with your crabitat: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

You can add 1" of substrate every 24 hours without packing it down safely. Perhaps use eco earth, or whatever you are using, and just moisten it a little bit more. Use dechlorinated marine salt water or dechlorinated fresh water. If both of them are up, then you can definitely remix your substrate. However, you don't want to make it too moist.

Hermit crabs eat very little. You probably won't notice how much they eat. Especially since they are nocturnal.

Don't worry, they won't allow themselves to starve. They will also find things around their crabitat to eat

Posted: **Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:52 pm**

Here is the original template/post filled out. Was posted in the Emergench section.

Hi,

We recently acquired two hermit crabs. I think we have made a few mistakes with them so far, but really want to give them a good home and need some assurance that we are going in the right direction. One was very active, changed shells and has buried himself, other has been sluggish since we brought them home. I have filled out the help template. Thanks in advance.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Eco earth, started low, but just added enough to have 4inches (didn't know about the inch per 24 hr until I found this forum)

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? Yes. Close to substrate, temp 85, humidity 80

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Undertake heater, on back of tank

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? Both. Using distilled water and salt water using aquarium salt

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Daily replacement. Have pellet food (have learned that's not so good), put some strawberries in last night, blueberries tonight

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? Three days, not sure

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Maybe now?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10 gallon tank, mesh lid, mostly covered with Saran Wrap with opening for fresh air

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2. Maybe medium sized

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? Three currently, pretty sure I need to get some bigger ones.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? When purchased. Cleaned with vinegar and waterm rinsed multiple times

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? Yes

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)? One has not moved much since it came home. One was active, explored tank when they were transferred to it, but has since changed shells and buried itself a bit (can see top of shell). I don't think the new substrate is wet enough for them, but humidity looks ok on the gauge. Should I mist more and mix? Neither is fully buried. One that changed shells had a painted shell with a pretty big opening, went into new shell that had more of a slotted opening. Doesn't look like they are eating much, but could be while we sleep. I just want to give them a happy, healthy home and nervous they are not moving much.

Update- sponges have been completely removed. Neither crab ate anything last night.

Posted: **Sat Jul 01, 2017 6:00 pm**

Hello

I replied with GB for GotButterflies

shan5321 wrote:Here is the original template/post filled out. Was posted in the Emergench section.

Hi,

We recently acquired two hermit crabs. I think we have made a few mistakes with them so far, but really want to give them a good home and need some assurance that we are going in the right direction. One was very active, changed shells and has buried himself, other has been sluggish since we brought them home. I have filled out the help template. Thanks in advance.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Eco earth, started low, but just added enough to have 4inches (didn't know about the inch per 24 hr until I found this forum)

GB: The HCA care guides recommend 4 times the height of your largest crab. Make sure that the substrate is sand castle consistency. You can mix with dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to do this.

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? Yes. Close to substrate, temp 85, humidity 80

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Undertake heater, on back of tank

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? Both. Using distilled water and salt water using aquarium salt

GB: Okay, aquarium salt is not the right kind of salt. That is for keeping freshwater fish "healthy" from fish diseases. You need marine salt that mimics ocean water. Most of us use a product called Instant Ocean. This provides essential trace elements and minerals that the hermit crabs would get from ocean water. You would dechlorinate it first. You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, chloramine, and neutralizes heavy metals and ammonia. Most of us use a product called Prime.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Daily replacement. Have pellet food (have learned that's not so good), put some strawberries in last night, blueberries tonight

GB: Foods should be organic when possible, because hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
Safe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92556
Food Pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554
Commercial Food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92555

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? Three days, not sure

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Maybe now?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10 gallon tank, mesh lid, mostly covered with Saran Wrap with opening for fresh air

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2. Maybe medium sized

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? Three currently, pretty sure I need to get some bigger ones.

GB: Definitely need some extra shells The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per crab. I personally recommend more. Here is the shell guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552 You can purchase some at Michaels, Hobby Lobby or JoAnn's Fabrics.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? When purchased. Cleaned with vinegar and waterm rinsed multiple times

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? Yes

GB: Sponges are not really needed. Old practice - doesn't really help with humidity. Water pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge in and safely get out of. Most of us use tupperware containers.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)? One has not moved much since it came home. One was active, explored tank when they were transferred to it, but has since changed shells and buried itself a bit (can see top of shell). I don't think the new substrate is wet enough for them, but humidity looks ok on the gauge. Should I mist more and mix? Neither is fully buried. One that changed shells had a painted shell with a pretty big opening, went into new shell that had more of a slotted opening. Doesn't look like they are eating much, but could be while we sleep. I just want to give them a happy, healthy home and nervous they are not moving much.

GB: Just be careful misting too often - it can lead to flooding the tank. It's really easy to worry too much with these guys - especially when you are a new owner Just try to give them some time to destress. They have been through a lot to get to you! Don't bury them, and don't handle them. Give them calcium (cuttle bone, eggshell, coral) Protein (shrimp, crickets, mealworms, krill, plankton, chicken), raw organic honey, and give them some time They will be doing good in no time

Update- sponges have been completely removed. Neither crab ate anything last night.

GB: Okay, just try to make improvements recommended, and be patient

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Molting or destressing?

Molting or destressing?

Re: Molting or destressing?

Re: Molting or destressing?

Re: Molting or destressing?

Re: Molting or destressing?

Re: Molting or destressing?