my hermit crab lost two limbs and is not moving around or eating/drinking anything

[materwelon]

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?
I use eco-earth mixed with play sand, and the depth is about 3 times the size of my hermies

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 put them at one corner, and the temperature is always between 70-80, the humidity is between 60-70

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, I have a 20W heating pad

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 fresh and salt, I use hermit crab soaking salt

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed a large variety of food, fruits/ veggies/ shrimp/ mealworms/ flower pedals, I replace the food every day or every 2 days depending on what the food is, but neither of my hermies have touched anything

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I just bought them online a few days ago and they're both purple pinchers

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
One is probably molting underground, but this one just got here and I don't know when it last molted

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I keep them in a 10 gallon glass tank with a cardboard lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
There are 2, both the size of a quarter

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
3 for each crab, so 6 in total

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned the tank yet because I just set it up one week ago

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes, I wash them with distilled water and squeeze out any small particles

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
no

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 gave the molting one a bath after I received him and he started molting the next day; I gave this crab about 3 baths in total, but he started being less active so I left him alone for the past 3 days

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
The hermit crab was very active when he first arrived and moved around a lot one his first day, but starting from the second day he didn't move around much and kept hiding under the moss. He hasn't eaten anything since he got here, not even when he was still active, and he's been hiding in the coconut shell shelter for 2 days straight without coming out. I just went to check on him and two of his limbs fell off, his large claw and one leg. He came out of his shell when I picked him up so I don't think he's molting?

Thank you!!

.

[curlysister]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I use eco-earth mixed with play sand, and the depth is about 3 times the size of my hermies

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 put them at one corner, and the temperature is always between 70-80, the humidity is between 60-70
Curly - Your humidity could be a little higher, it should be at least 70%. Ideally, it should be between 75-85%, but higher is fine too. They have modified gills, so they need to high humidity to be able to breathe. Your temp could also be in the upper range you listed.
75 to 80 degrees is ideal; they are often more active when it's on the warmer side.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, I have a 20W heating pad

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 fresh and salt, I use hermit crab soaking salt
Curly - Fresh water should be tap water treated with a dechlorinator (Prime is a popular brand). Salt water should be the fresh water, with a marine salt mixed in (Instant Ocean is a popular brand). The bottled salt water and 'hermit crab salt' don't have all the mineral needed for long term health.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed a large variety of food, fruits/ veggies/ shrimp/ mealworms/ flower pedals, I replace the food every day or every 2 days depending on what the food is, but neither of my hermies have touched anything
Curly - A wide variety is great! They do need protein and calcium daily. WHen crabs are small, they eat such small amounts that you might not even notice they are eating anything. I swear that for the first few years I had my crabs, the only way I knew they must be eating is because they didn't die!

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I just bought them online a few days ago and they're both purple pinchers
Curly - When you say you bought them online, were they shipped to you, or did you go and pick them up somewhere. Only asking due to the additional stress that shipping could be for them.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
One is probably molting underground, but this one just got here and I don't know when it last molted

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I keep them in a 10 gallon glass tank with a cardboard lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
There are 2, both the size of a quarter

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
3 for each crab, so 6 in total

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned the tank yet because I just set it up one week ago

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes, I wash them with distilled water and squeeze out any small particles
Curly - Sponges just harbor bacteria, and aren't needed in the bowls. You can put them into the tank dry, they do enjoy eating them. Your pools should be deep enough that crabs can submerge, but also have a way to climb out. You can use rocks or ladders for them to get out, instead of the sponges.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
no

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 gave the molting one a bath after I received him and he started molting the next day; I gave this crab about 3 baths in total, but he started being less active so I left him alone for the past 3 days
Curly - Crabs carry a mix of salt and fresh water in their shells, and bathing them can throw off the balance. When you get a new crab, you can give everyone a quick dunk in the fresh water so that they all smell the same. But other than that, bathing is not needed at all.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
The hermit crab was very active when he first arrived and moved around a lot one his first day, but starting from the second day he didn't move around much and kept hiding under the moss. He hasn't eaten anything since he got here, not even when he was still active, and he's been hiding in the coconut shell shelter for 2 days straight without coming out. I just went to check on him and two of his limbs fell off, his large claw and one leg. He came out of his shell when I picked him up so I don't think he's molting?
Curly - Crabs go through a lot before we get them. They often have been out of good conditions for a while. They are at risk of dying from 'post purchase syndrome' until at least their first molt with us. He is obviously weakened if he is dropping limbs. He could be dying or he could be getting ready to surface molt. There are a few things you can improve in your tank, in order to give him the best chance of survival, but it is very likely that he is suffering from PPS. Be sure to check out the 'care sheets' section for lots of info too.

Thank you!!

.

[crabbycasey]

This happened to 2 of mine when I first got crabs. I put easy to eat food and water right next to them and then just let them be. Made sure they had shelter to feel safe and with my tank conditions good, I knew that was all I could do for them. It’s hard, but it wouldn’t be anything you did. Sending best wishes to you and crabby!


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[HermitofHermitCrabs]

The first month after a purchase or adoption can be rough especially if their former environment was subpar. I've had some destress for 2 days and others de-stress for a month or even longer.

[materwelon]

Thank you for all the advice! Sadly the crabby past away some time last night, but I will definitely improve my habitat for future crabs! Thanks again

[crabbycasey]

Aww, I’m sorry for your loss...my son would say he’s in Hermie Heaven with a shell made of gold now ...


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