Holey Shell - HELP!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 10:43 pm

I got this new crab that was in pretty bad condition at the hermie hut in the mall. His shell is pretty Holey. It's so holey that he can't keep water in it! There's one big hole (it's 1/4" x 1/2" in measure) and a bunch of little holes along the whorl of the shell, where it was broken off. I was watching him drink the salt water that I put in there and it just comes out the other side! How can I get him to change shells? He doesn't like any of the ones I put in there for him. Not only that, but he's ecuadorian! I'm so scared for this crab! Anyone with any advice would be appreciated!

ACK! his salt water is gone! He's only been in there for 15 minutes!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 1:06 am

Is there a way to patch the holes up while he's in the shell? That way he can keep the water in there and not get all dried out. *sigh* I'm just so worried about him.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 7:46 am

Have you given your new crab a bath? My E's usually change shells after a nice bath on the first day. Try giving him a choice of shells after a bath with stress coat. A holey shell will cause the crab to dehydrate, you can give your crab a daily mist to keep him hydrated.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 9:56 am

do you have any extra shells that are broken that you can put over the holes for the time being? that way he can retain the water a little more and not dehydrate so quickly. you can also try to give him a shell that is as close to his as possible weather it be in color size shape or any thing else that a crab can sense. That's what ne of my first crabs did. and yes misting them every day is a good thing. what does e have to do with it? this is for anybody.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 5:05 pm

5 of the 7 crabs I rescued from Petsmart had holes in their shells, they all changed shells. Just provide a large selection of shells in the tank, and bathe the crabs, the water really stimulates them to switch. After u bathe them daily in decholorinated water, put them right back in the tank with shells and watch them without bothering them, he will eventually switch.
I dont think u could patch the shell because whatever u use would get on the crabs body and probably kill him. Just have patience and offer a variety and keep him moist, thats the best thing u can do to keep him safe till he switches.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 8:15 pm

I just got home from work and decided to give him another bath. He's now with a bunch of other shells, but he doesn't seem to be particularly interested in any of them. He does keep making this clicking noise at me whenever I type though!

Thanks for your ideas! I'll just have to believe that he'll change whenever I give him a shell that meets his criteria.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 6:13 am

Would putting him in ISO with just a bunch a shells for a while work? You'd think after a while, he'd just change... Or give him a little treat with some shells and see if it gets him excited? I dont know... I'm still quite new to the crab scene, just trying to give my opinion, lol.
~*Sav