Naked crab possibly already dead, hoping to get guidance

[Ermigrejo]

This isn’t exactly an emergency as I’m pretty sure my crab has already passed, but I have two others that I want to protect so I’m filling out the emergency template anyway.

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

All play sand, moistened to sandcastle consistency. 8 inches deep on the short end, 12 inches deep on the long end. If it helps, the two crabs I’ve kept for over a year before getting the new one have both successfully molted twice in 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?

Digital gauge just above the substrate; temperature always between 72 and 85, usually around 80, and humidity always over 80% (currently at 92).

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

UTH on the side of the tank and a heat lamp on one side; lid is a screen but I’ve covered it with seran wrap to keep in heat and humidity.

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)?

Salt and fresh - fresh I use tap water with reptisafe dechlorinator, and the salt I use distilled water with instant ocean. I use the ratio on the back of the box, I think it’s 1/2 cup per gallon.

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

Fresh food like unseasoned meat, veggies, and fruits, plus dried food I got off Hermit Grub on Etsy. The fresh food is always replaced the morning after; dried food is replaced every 3-4 days depending on what they’ve eaten. All foods have been double-checked for safety with the safe foods lists on this forum.

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

The established two I’ve had for over a year but this new one I’ve only had for about 2 months. I think he’s a purple pincher.

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

He hadn’t molted yet; I expected him to go under right away when I took him home but he didn’t, so I’ve had him for two months now without a molt.

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

They’re in a 40B glass aquarium; lid is screen but it’s insulated with seran wrap.

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

Three crabs - one large, one medium, and this new one was sort of in between large and jumbo.

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

Probably about 15; I don’t have an exact count because they bury them sometimes. I made sure to have a mix of sizes so they have plenty to choose from.

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

No, not as far as I’m aware.

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

I haven’t cleaned it at all; I spot clean their poop sometimes, and replace water every 3 days or so. But in general I don’t clean much so I don’t disturb 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?

Nothing new.

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.)?

No, I mostly just leave them alone so I don’t stress them out.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

So I feel awful about this, but I didn’t notice my crab was naked until it was too late. I brought him home from the pet store about 2 months ago and he seemed healthy and happy, he explored the tank and ate and swam in the salt water pool. He and the other crabs seemed to get along well, sleeping on top of each other and hanging out peacefully. I always saw him coming out at night to crawl and climb. I guess in retrospect I hadn’t seen him out for a couple days, but I don’t exactly remember when I last saw him out; I mostly just leave them alone and check their heat/humidity several times a day and get them new food and water every few days. But last night I saw him in the coconut hut naked. I don’t know how long he was like that and I feel terrible that I didn’t notice earlier. I followed the instructions for naked crabs and put him in a tall Tupperware with a small amount of treated water and a shell his size, inside the tank with a moist towel covering the top of the Tupperware. He appeared dead. His eyes were dull, his feelers weren’t moving, and he was just completely immobile. He doesn’t smell, though, so I manually re-shelled him on the off-chance he was still alive. That was last night and he hasn’t moved at all since then. I am almost certain he’s dead but I’ll wait until he actually starts to smell in case he’s just surface molting. I also noticed my large crab wearing his shell; I don’t know if there was a fight and the jumbo got shell-jacked or if he left his shell because he was too weak and the large crab just took it.

Basically I’m filling out the template because I want to make sure there’s nothing wrong with my setup that could have killed him. I think it may have been PPS that killed him, or else the large crab attacked him, but they never had issues before so I would be somewhat surprised. Any insight you can give me would really help me out. Thank you!


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[curlysister]

Your conditions look just fine to me. I would agree that the new guy likely passed away from PPS.

[Ermigrejo]

Your conditions look just fine to me. I would agree that the new guy likely passed away from PPS.

Thank you for your reply. I’m so sad because it seemed like he was getting along so well and he seemed really healthy and active, but I know they’re in danger until after their first molt so that’s probably just what killed him. But thank you for looking over my conditions and giving them the all-clear. I feel glad that at least I gave him a good life while I had him. I know they’re not exactly super aware, haha, but on some level he must have been happier, right? I mean, my setup was at least much better than the tiny 5 gallon aquarium he came from where he was crammed in with six other crabs, one bowl of pellets, one tiny bowl of water, and basically no substrate, humidity in the 60s.


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[PunkyPhookster]

I am in the same boat. Just found my little guy Sonic dead In his shell above ground. Reeked of strong fishy odor and all his limbs fell off easily when I tried to manipulate him out of the shell to stimulate him. I was able to extract him and check him closely and can confirm he passed. We have two others and I’m so worried about them. Not sure where to go from here... I’m sorry for your loss!