Is my hermit dead

[Jniea6]

Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks!


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?

Yes, I have two that dads differently
Located about 3 inches above coconut fiber

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No... I’ve been trying to ensure it satys around 75 in the room until the heating pad arrives

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 salt and fresh spring water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Pellets and fresh fruits n veggies

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

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

I think he is molting

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

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
1 small 2s/m 1 m/l

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

5

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

No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Just got them

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges

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.

I seen all of the molting signs. The hermit stocked up on fresh food and I caught it sitting in the water for a long time before it went under. It went under November 26 and has not been back up. She had a window where we could see but it was closed. Then we noted one open on the bottom of the tank. I would check daily to see if it moved. It was moving. Last three days no movement what so ever the claw is still positioned the same way. I don’t smell anything, but then again it is under ground. Please help, I think it may be dead. But I’m terrified to look

The other three Hermies burried themselves too I only catch two moving around at night.


.

[wodesorel]

It's normal for them to go through periods where they don't move when molting. I think he's fine! He shouldn't come up for a while though - I wouldn't start to expect him until sometime in February, and he could go longer than that.

[Crabby in NJ]

They can molt for months at a time I hear! Especially bigger crabbies! Best to leave them be to do their own thing!

[Jniea6]

They can molt for months at a time I hear! Especially bigger crabbies! Best to leave them be to do their own thing!

I don’t even see a claw move when I shine light at the hole anymore. I’m really worried. Especially since it’s been really cold in my home lately

[CrabbyLover77]

I don’t even see a claw move when I shine light at the hole anymore. I’m really worried. Especially since it’s been really cold in my home lately

It takes a lot of energy to molt and recover, so I wouldn't be too worried if he's not moving. As long as all the tank conditions are good you should be ok. What's the temp of the tank? Is it still 75°F? My house stays between 75-78 all year, so I don't use an uth.

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[Crabby in NJ]

I don’t even see a claw move when I shine light at the hole anymore. I’m really worried. Especially since it’s been really cold in my home lately

If u read all of the care sheets, you will see that what we are telling you is accurate. I know how hard it is to worry and not understand what’s going on but I can assure you, if your conditions are right, theirs no smell coming from the tank and the crab isn’t hanging out lifeless, you are okay. My two babies have been down 3 weeks now and of course I worry but reading conversations here as well as the care sheets, I know it’s okay. Crabs do this in the wild without our help, remember that!

[curlysister]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Curly - You mentioned coco fiber. Is that your sub, or do you mix it with play sand? How deep is it? Substrate needs to be at least 6 inches, or three times as deep as your biggest crab - whichever is deeper. It needs to be moist enough to hold shape (ie- sand castle consistency) but not so wet that water pools anywhere.

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, I have two that dads differently
Located about 3 inches above coconut fiber
Curly - What is your temperature? What is they humidity?

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No... I’ve been trying to ensure it satys around 75 in the room until the heating pad arrives

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 salt and fresh spring water
Curly - Spring water is kind of an 'unknown' as to where it is from exactly. Many people treat it just like tap water, and use a dechlorinator such as Prime. What brand of salt do you use? It needs to be a marine salt such as Instant Ocean. Check out the care sheet on water for more info. Pools need to be deep enough that crabs can submerge but also have a way to climb out.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Pellets and fresh fruits n veggies
Curly - Commercial food is generally not safe or appropriate for crabs, even tho it is marketed as such. Crabs need a varied diet, including protein and calcium daily. They can eat many of the foods that we do, without any preservatives or additives. Be sure to check the food and nutrition care sheet as well as the safe/ unsafe food list.

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

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

I think he is molting

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gal , screen lid
Curly - The screen lid will likely need to be covered with saran/ plastic wrap to keep the humidity around 80%. Crabs have modified gills and need the humidity in order to breathe.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
1 small 2s/m 1 m/l
Curly - Your tank may be over crowded, or will be very soon when they grow. Check the care sheet regarding tank sizes and number of crabs.

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

5
Curly - HCA recommends 3-5 extra shells per crab, so you should have 12-20 extras. See the shells care sheet for info on proper shells to buy.

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


No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Just got them

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges

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.

I seen all of the molting signs. The hermit stocked up on fresh food and I caught it sitting in the water for a long time before it went under. It went under November 26 and has not been back up. She had a window where we could see but it was closed. Then we noted one open on the bottom of the tank. I would check daily to see if it moved. It was moving. Last three days no movement what so ever the claw is still positioned the same way. I don’t smell anything, but then again it is under ground. Please help, I think it may be dead. But I’m terrified to look

The other three Hermies burried themselves too I only catch two moving around at night.

Curly - When a crab is buried, it should not be dug up. The only exceptions are an emergency like a flood or bacterial bloom. If the crab is molting, you risk killing it by digging it up. If it is already dead, you gain nothing by digging it up. So leave it be, and wait for months. Ensure that your conditions are proper, to give it the best chance of survival.

[Jniea6]

I use bottled water and I use the salt additive from pets mart to make salt water. They love that stuff. I have included pictures as u can see one pic the two thermometers say two different things ... right now the temperature keeps dropping between 72-74 because the heater mat has not arrived like it was supposed to. I typically give them a variety of food like fresh fruits and veggies.

How to post pictures

[curlysister]

You can use the Tapatalk app to add pictures. There are other ways, too, but I'm not an expert on those.

Like I said, bottled water is kind of an unknown, and many people do use the dechlorinator with it. What is the brand of salt that you use?

What is your humidity reading?

Be sure to check out the nutrition care sheet to be sure they are getting everything needed in their diet, including protein and calcium daily.

[Jniea6]

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[Jniea6]

Well guys since I took the picturs(10 am) this is what I see right now


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[Jniea6]

Well guys since I took the picturs(10 am) this is what I see right now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jniea6]

You can use the Tapatalk app to add pictures. There are other ways, too, but I'm not an expert on those.

Like I said, bottled water is kind of an unknown, and many people do use the dechlorinator with it. What is the brand of salt that you use?

What is your humidity reading?

Be sure to check out the nutrition care sheet to be sure they are getting everything needed in their diet, including protein and calcium daily.

@curlysister
See below


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[wodesorel]

You're seeing shed exo laying against the bottom of the whole, so he's molted and is now regaining strength and slowly eating his old skin. They do go into a kind of stupor/sleep while molting and may not move much or at all for long stretches. It conserves energy as they harden back up, because they are too soft and weak to survive on the surface.

[Jniea6]

Whew, thanks. I thought he was dead. First molt!


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