Mites

[CrabbyCancerian]

Hello all,

Unfortunately, I noticed that my little crabby Cora has little tan mites rapidly crawling around her food dish. I consider this rather strange as I frequently changed her substrate up until recently (which I now know is an outdated practice). I almost wonder if it was from her food source/change of diet.

I am going to YouTube this topic, as well as read up on it in my book “Hermit Crabs For Dummies”. From what I already know, you are supposed to boil everything in the tank to sterilize it. All items were purchased through pet retailers so I am hoping that everything is nontoxic/safe to boil?

This is feeling like a big job for busy little me…so any/all pointers welcome.

[CrabbyLover77]

Im not perfect with identification, but you probably have food mites or springtails, neither of which are harmful. I have little guys running around my tank too, and I just let them do their thing breaking down leftover food and crabby poo. According to the HCA care sheet, only the mites that cling to crabby parts, especially the joints, are harmful. If you find them anywhere else they aren't bad.

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[curlysister]

Have you checked out the care sheet on mites?

viewtopic.php?f=124&t=92530

As CL77 stated, most mites are harmless.
Also, don't boil anything plastic.

[CrabbyCancerian]

Hey again,
I have not yet checked out the care sheet on mites but I def will. Thank you for the link. Thanks for the input all!