1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Sand, 4 inches in the front, 6 inches near the hides and back of the tank.
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?
Humidity: 80 temperature:78
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heating pad on the back of the tank, 20x10
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)?
Dechlorinated water and saltwater (pet store brand) in estimated 3-4 inch deep tubs with bubblers. I just recently learned that the hermit crab water mixtures are not good for them, I’m ordering better supplies soon.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Every other day, celery, apples, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, banana, apples, carrots, occasionally shrimp, dried mealworms, dried cricket, and hermit crab pellet mix.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About 4 months with me, about three months with another owner. pp I believe.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Not that I have noticed, but I got my new crabs mixed up and one of them did molt. I am pretty sure it wasn’t this one though.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
20 gallon long, plastic lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 small crabs, 1 medium-small.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
10-15
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 put them in this new tank about two weeks ago. I spot cleaned the last tank but they were not in my ten gallon for long.
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?
I added some fake moss climbing walls but took it out the day after because I got a bad feeling they might eat it and I wasn’t sure how safe it was. Better be safe.
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.)?
I didn’t handle this crab much because he has always been the shyest. Has never come out of his shell for me. Was given to me by a friend along with the medium-small crab I have. Was not taken very good care of at all for the 2-3 months he had him.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
This crab has been lethargic for quite a bit. When I first put him in the new tank he did a bit of exploring, and then has been pretty still for the past week. This isn’t too crazy for him but I would pick him up every few days to make sure he was okay. He probably moved 2-3 times since he’s explored. I’ve been keeping my eye out for him ever since. It’s when I noticed he had crawled to the food dish and had not moved for the two days that I decided there was a problem. He was in the open and on the colder side of the tank. I needed to change the food so I moved him to a hide, note: he wasn’t very responsive but definitely moved a bit. When I came back he was streaking across the cage. I immediately got a small plastic dish, put some celery, shrimp, and peanut butter in there, his old shell, and a tiny bit of dechlorinated water. I’m playing the waiting game right now, but i just wanted to hear others thoughts. His body was quite skinny, not at all where I think it should be. I haven’t seen a naked crab before, but just from my guess this isn’t right. He tried to get away from me when I went to put him in the iso tub (still in the tank but other crabs cannot get in) which I think is a good sign. Most of my shells I have are perfect for his size, I’m actually looking for some more shells for my big guy instead, so I don’t think this is the problem. He isn’t super bright, but definitely doesn’t look like he’s trying to molt. His past owner had him on rocks, no humidity, no heating pad, fed him pellets, and no saltwater. I’ve been working my best to do better for him but he never perked up like the others. I hope he’s going to be okay.
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