crab out of shell in hole

jstein · Post by **jstein** » Sat Nov 17, 2018 4:00 pm

I have a new crab (2-3 weeks) and she went down after a couple of day in her new home. I figured she was molting - (she went
down next to the water dish) today there is an open hole over her and I can see an empty shell and she is under it. I had a light on but turned it off to make it calmer. I don't know who uncovered her - if she did it herself or if I should cover her or just leave everything alone?

jstein · Post by **jstein** » Sat Nov 17, 2018 4:04 pm

What it looks like

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RiNiKy506 · Post by **RiNiKy506** » Sat Nov 17, 2018 6:19 pm

You need to isolate her if she’s not in a shell, she will be very vulnerable. Offer her a lot of calcium and protein foods to try and get her strength back up. If she doesn’t take a shell on her own in a couple hours I think your supposed to try and re-shell them in their last known shell. I hope someone with more knowledge will come and give you some better answers than I can. They will probably want you to fill out the emergency template to be able to help you better. Sending you love and luck, I hope she gets well very soon.

Edit: Here is the emergency template...

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

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?

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

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)?

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

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.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

♡ Rod ♡ Salty ♡ Bob ♡ Squirt ♡ Crabina ♡
»-♡-> Our Purple Pinchers »-♡->

jstein · Post by **jstein** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 7:28 pm

Couldn't find the emergency template -- I didn't really hear back except from anyone except one person who said do not cover him --- I left it alone and then watched on my camera that night and it turned out to be my 3rd crab Fleming (had 2 years and had never changed shells) I saw him out in and encounter 2 other crabs - he was freaked and hoping around like a mad crab -- I immediately went in and found him back in his hole - I had their old 10 gal tank still set up intending it to be a isolation tank - I am so thankful I did - I gently scooped him out by hand and put him and about 10 shell in the the small tank with both types of water and exo food and calcium - luckily the tank was in 80/80 perfect condition) he was scared and went in the hut but after a day he found a new home and I moved him back to the main crabitat after a day in iso and he seemed fine other than moving slowly. Maybe I should have left him in ISO longer but all seems good now - he is just being lazy and growing stronger I hope - I am so happy I got the camera everyone was recommending - it was lifesaver for Fleming - scary but still amazing to watch these animals in a nighttime setting. Thanks for the response RiNiKy506

RiNiKy506 · Post by **RiNiKy506** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:10 pm

No problem at all, I wish I was more experienced to help you more. You have another post, that a couple others relied to also, I’m not sure if you saw that one too. I’m also very glad I got a camera too, it really puts my mind at ease to be able to see what they’re doing. Especially in an emergency situation like yours, it must be relieving to actually be able to see it. I’m glad Fleming is doing well, I hope he makes a full recovery.

♡ Rod ♡ Salty ♡ Bob ♡ Squirt ♡ Crabina ♡
»-♡-> Our Purple Pinchers »-♡->

jstein · Post by **jstein** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 9:56 pm

It’s so strange to see a crab without a shell jumping around and so scared of their other crabs - completely understandable - just do educational - just watching Fleming walk I could sense something was off. I call it a growing, learning moment. I’ll have to check the other post - I don’t recall seeing - but I was busy worrying about my little guy:-)

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Post by **curlysister** » Wed Nov 21, 2018 10:43 am

Riniky posted the Emergency template questions above. Please take the time to answer them so that we can help with your crabitat conditions, and what may have gone wrong.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association