my crabs wont eat..

[lula67]

im getting worried, i just changed my tank from a 20 gal to a 40 gal, ive got at least 7 inches of coconut dirt, fresh and salt water dishes and 2 food dishes, i feed a variety things, to many to list. i worried, sence i changes tanks my crabs have not come out to eat, they normally are all over there tank, day or night. now there just hideing, anyway is this normal?

[Candie]

What does the humidity and heat gauges say

[lula67]

its about 83 degrees, ive watched them all day and there still in there huts, not 1 has been out today, could it be that they just need to settle in to there new tank?

[pandaincognito]

That's what I was thinking. They just need to chill out for aw while ^•^

[DragonsFly]

You did not mention humidity, which is absolutely as critical as temperature. They need temp between 75 and 85 degrees F, and humidity between 75 and 85% or they can't breathe. These factors are so critical for their survival that I always have multiple temp and humidity gauges in several places throughout the tank (I put them on sticks so I can move them to different places and check different places, too).

When you say they are "hiding," do you mean underground or in/among tank decor?

If humidity is low, they may be underground (or in enclosed spaces) trying to conserve humidity. If your temperature is actually higher than 83 degrees in most of the tank, they may be staying in shady spots to stay cooler. If they are underground, it may be that they now realize they have deep enough substrate to molt, and if they have not molted with you before, they may be desperate to do so.

It is also perfectly possible that they are just "intimidated" by the tank, especially if it is very open without a lot of cover. They don't like feeling exposed and will be more comfortable with more cover.

Whatever the reason, they often eat very, very little--sometimes it is hard to tell if they have come out at night to eat, unless you carefully smooth the substrate near the food dishes so that you can tell if there are footprints in it the next day.

If they are molting, they will be underground for weeks or months. During that time, it is important to keep conditions good (temperature, humidity, air flow, etc.) and keep water sources fresh and a little bit of food offered (because you never know when they will come back up), but it is really important to NOT disturb them. They need darkness and to be left alone.

Best wishes!

[Giner13]

Anything changed with your crabbies?


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[mool]

Are these the same crabs that went without heat when the cat unplugged your cords? They might be suffering from that and need time to recuperate. Also, what is your humidity? Having humidity in the correct range is equally important as having heat in the correct range.

[DragonsFly]

Yes, waiting to hear what's going on! Better? Worse? Crisis? Recovery?

Remember that anytime you increase heat, by definition the relative humidity will go down, so you need to be prepared to supplement humidity as temperature increases in the tank. I'm a big believer in bubble pools as the best and cheapest and easiest way to increase humidity, while also improving air exchange and keeping water sources fresher.

[Giner13]

Yes, waiting to hear what's going on! Better? Worse? Crisis? Recovery?

Remember that anytime you increase heat, by definition the relative humidity will go down, so you need to be prepared to supplement humidity as temperature increases in the tank. I'm a big believer in bubble pools as the best and cheapest and easiest way to increase humidity, while also improving air exchange and keeping water sources fresher.

Bubble pools?

[Candie]

Bubble pools?[/quote]

Bubble pools are pools with bubbles, you take a fish tank air pump with a air stone on the end of the tubing and stick it in the pool


Sorry for the bad lighting this is the only picture I have of a bubble pool

[Giner13]

Bubble pools?

Bubble pools are pools with bubbles, you take a fish tank air pump with a air stone on the end of the tubing and stick it in the pool


Sorry for the bad lighting this is the only picture I have of a bubble pool[/quote]
Neat! Can you find those at most pet stores? Or better online?

[pandaincognito]

They even have them at WalMart ^•^

[Candie]

They are really common lol, I got mine at petsmart for 15, the tubing was 4 and the air Stones were 50 cents, as cheap as they are they even have silent ones, I have one and love it, my other one for the fish isn't silent and it's going bye bye haha

[pandaincognito]

They are really common lol, I got mine at petsmart for 15, the tubing was 4 and the air Stones were 50 cents, as cheap as they are they even have silent ones, I have one and love it, my other one for the fish isn't silent and it's going bye bye haha

I was lucky to get over off my friend who has several fish tanks since I won't be using it for fiddlers and my beta doesn't need it I've been considering giving it to my hermits

[DragonsFly]

Yes, simplest and cheapest way to increase humidity. Just get the smallest possible air pump, some air tubing, a package of "air stones" and a T connector (all available in the fish section of your pet store). Use the T connector so you can make both of your water sources bubble pools. I like to put the MSW and fresh water sources at opposite ends of the tank, both to maximize humidity everywhere and because I think the crabs will find it more natural not to find salt and fresh water right together, so I put the T connector close to where the air tubing enters the tank (through a small notch or gap in the lid), then run the separate tubing to each pool from there.

I highly recommend putting the air pump on a timer (available at your local hardware store) so you can regulate how much the pools are on or off; it helps to fine-tune humidity. Best wishes!