Mostly EE, some sand towards the bottom- I wasn't able to mix as I added since someone is hopefully molted. I added an additional 2-3 inches after recommendations over the course of a week or 2 to try to avoid collapsing any tunnels. 6"- definitely more than 3 times the size of biggest crab.
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, analog. 1 hygrometer, 2 thermometers. I've tested the hygrometer. One thermometer is on the back left corner on the tank near the UTH, the other is on the front right corner- cooler side. Warmer area is usually 82, sometimes 80. The cooler area is 75. Humidity is 80-85%.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, UTH on the back of the 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 are available. Instant Ocean, mixed according to directions. Same with the dechlorinator.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Replaced every 2 days, sometimes 3. Different things- a rice/cuttle bone/red shrimp blend I made as dry food and strawberries, apples, egg/eggshell, peanut butter, local honey, carrots, bell pepper, etc.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About a month and a half. PP
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Not in my care.
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. The lid covers the entire opening- it has latches. I keep seran wrap over most of the lid.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3. Small/Medium.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
14, different types.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I just wiped it down with vinegar & water when we first bought it- when we got the crabs.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Not really. I've only had them a month & a half.
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.)?
Pretty hands off with the hermies. No regular bathing, no out of tat time anymore.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
The other two crabs are under, I'm assuming/hoping they're molting. This crab (Shelly) I've never seen dig, ever. I've filled out an emergency before about her. After adding new shells to the tat, she seemed to perk up, chose a new one, all was good until she found her old shell & apparently had buyers remorse.
A few days ago I noticed she went into the SW pool, moments later half of the SW was gone. It's deep enough for her to submerge halfway, so I figured she may just be filling up her shell/cleaning it out. I noticed she splayed out to be more submerged. I took a turkey baster and very slowly filled up the SW pool again with her in it, so that she'd have time to walk out if it was getting too deep. But she didn't move. Just her little eyes peeked above the water. I watched her for awhile, she seemed to slump- almost coming out of her shell. I didn't like the way it looked. The next morning she was out of the pool. I noticed she ate, since she's the only one up. She seemed to have a good appetite- I've seen her eat several times. The next couple days she just seemed to sit on top of the substate. She doesn't fit well in her shell anyways, but she was just like a statue not reacting to anything. Last night she went into the SW pool again and did the splay/sucking up half of the water. She seemed to slump again. I let her be since I had seen her do this before. This morning-- she was half in the SW pool NUDE! Her shell was upside down in the SW pool.
Even though the other two hermies are under, I iso'd her in a small tupperware container. I rinsed a shell that's bigger than the one she had in fresh water, dipped her in fresh water to get the substrate off and tried to reshell her. She stayed the 3rd time. I put peanut butter and egg in the container with a small dish of both fresh water and SW. I misted the substrate and the sides of the tupperware with fresh water and put a heating pad on low around it (I'm watching it). I looked again and she's out of the shell and stuck her body in the SW. She seems more reactive, but what else can I do? Is the end near?
I checked on her about 20 minutes ago and she was standing on top of her shell-- finally showing some movement on her own. And I heard clinking... I'm hoping she'll be ok. But I don't have a good feeling.
)