My name is Sabrina and I'm new to the forum, but not to crabs (although I'm very definitely still learning!). I've had hermits off and on for 10 years, but have had my current group for going on three years now. My mom bought me a pair for Christmas my sophomore year of college (Dec. 2013) because I could keep them in my dorm. Then I went to the pet store to look for shells and saw that all but one of their crabs was dead, so I rescued him. And she did the same with another pair from a local store.
So what I'm getting at is that I now have 5 or 6 (forgive me - only two are active, it's been so long since I've seen multiple up at a time, and they all keep swapping shells that I can't remember exactly how many I have) small PPs in a ten gallon tank. I know this is not ideal, but it's what I had to work with in my dorm and I couldn't leave them to die at the pet stores. I have a 20-long tank with a lid that I would like to move the group into once I get my substrate mixed and the tank set up, but I'm looking for how to do that.
I have never smelled the death smell from that tank in three years, so I'm hoping everyone is still alive. I am worried, however, that a couple could be molting. I keep checking for windows but haven't found any to ease my concerns. Should I set up the new tank, move the two active guys that I see every day, smooth out the substrate and wait for the others to surface? Luckily this isn't rushed. I'd like to turn their 10 into a tropical tank at some point, but it can wait as long as they need. I've answered the questions below from the emergency template, since I'm new
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
A mixture of coco fiber and play sand, about 6 inches deep
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, temperature on the left side of the tank, 78-80F. Humidity on the right side, 78-80%. Both have very little fluctuations.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No.
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 fresh and salt. The salt water is mixed with Instant Ocean and the fresh uses Jungle Start Right water conditioner.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I'm terrible on this one - they normally eat T-Rex Fruit and Flower and Zoo Med Fruit Salad store-bought foods. This is something I'm looking to change now that I've graduated. I've already viewed the foods list here and will be offering fresh foods.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Between 2 and 3 years, and I think they're all PPs
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, at least three have successfully molted that I was fully aware of. Between work and school, I wasn't always on top of the goings-on in my crabitat. bad crab mom here
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 glass aquarium with a screen lid that is saran wrapped.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
5 or 6, ranging from large-tiny to small-mediums.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6. Any suggestions on where to buy more? The pet stores around me never have ones with the right openings.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Spot cleaning when food is in the substrate, but otherwise no.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes, rinsed, dried, microwaved and replaced.
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.)?
Above
Thanks!
so I bathed the four new ones and my two old guys, moved them to the new tank, and started decorating.
