Crabby suddenly died :( need to figure out what happened so I can protect the others

[Mittens205]

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?
About 4 parts play sand to 1 part eco earth. 6 inches deep

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?
Both located about 3 inches above the substrate on one side of the tank. Temperature ranges between 73-82 F and humidity ranges from 75-85%

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Under-tank heater stuck to the side of the tank

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 Freshwater are both available. Both conditioners are zoo med brand. The Saltwater conditioner is 1 tsp per cup of water, the Freshwater is 2 drops per cup of water.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Thrive brand hermit crab variety diet and food medley, crushed egg shells, fresh fruits. Food is replaced once a day

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I've had him for 2 weeks

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
He has not molted in the time that I had him

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Glass 15 gallon tank. The lid is a screen lid but I'm replacing it with a glass one soon

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
There were 4, now there are only 3 they are all around .75-1 inch

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

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I spot clean daily and replace water and food daily. I clean the extra shells every other day or so by rinsing them in dechlorinated water

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?
Sphagnum moss was added 3 days ago to help with humidity. I got some that was meant for tree frogs

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.)?
All the crabs are new, I've only had them for 2 weeks. I had originally only had eco earth in the tank but I noticed mold starting to grow so I fully cleaned the tank and switched to a mixture of eco earth and sand. This was a little less than week ago.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
One of my crabs suddenly died. I knew he was dead because he smelled the same as the old clam shells you find on the beach, it was really bad. His legs and claws were also falling off. I'm so sad and I would like to figure out what happened so I can protect my other crabbies when I found him, he was sitting on top of the sand in a pile of moss. He was inside his shell and smelled horrible. No sign of any of the other crabs attacking him as far as I could tell

.

[CrabbyLover77]

Hi! I'll put my suggestions under your answers. Hope this helps!

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?
About 4 parts play sand to 1 part eco earth. 6 inches deep

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?
Both located about 3 inches above the substrate on one side of the tank. Temperature ranges between 73-82 F and humidity ranges from 75-85%

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Under-tank heater stuck to the side of the tank

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 Freshwater are both available. Both conditioners are zoo med brand. The Saltwater conditioner is 1 tsp per cup of water, the Freshwater is 2 drops per cup of water.

CL77-Prime is a great dechlorinator and heavy metal detoxifier for both fresh and salt water. You'll need to use a marine salt, like Instant Ocean, for your salt water. The other stuff doesn't have all of the minerals crabbies need.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Thrive brand hermit crab variety diet and food medley, crushed egg shells, fresh fruits. Food is replaced once a day

CL77-A lot of times, foods marketed for hermits aren't that great for them. Be sure to check the ingredients. Also be sure to provide a constant source of protein and calcium (I see your offering eggshells which is great). Variety is key. Switch it up when you can. I also offer a dish of calcium powder at all times. My guys love it. Hermits can eat a lot of what we eat. My guys also LOVE eggs.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I've had him for 2 weeks

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
He has not molted in the time that I had him

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Glass 15 gallon tank. The lid is a screen lid but I'm replacing it with a glass one soon

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
There were 4, now there are only 3 they are all around .75-1 inch

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

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I spot clean daily and replace water and food daily. I clean the extra shells every other day or so by rinsing them in dechlorinated water

CL77- You don't have to clean the shells that often if you don't want too. But that's totally up to you.

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?
Sphagnum moss was added 3 days ago to help with humidity. I got some that was meant for tree frogs

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.)?
All the crabs are new, I've only had them for 2 weeks. I had originally only had eco earth in the tank but I noticed mold starting to grow so I fully cleaned the tank and switched to a mixture of eco earth and sand. This was a little less than week ago.

CL77-If you ever need to do a substrate change (like in an emergency) again, just be sure everyone is topside. Digging for crabbies can stress them out or potentially cause death.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
One of my crabs suddenly died. I knew he was dead because he smelled the same as the old clam shells you find on the beach, it was really bad. His legs and claws were also falling off. I'm so sad and I would like to figure out what happened so I can protect my other crabbies when I found him, he was sitting on top of the sand in a pile of moss. He was inside his shell and smelled horrible. No sign of any of the other crabs attacking him as far as I could tell

CL77- The only thing you should change up asap is your salt water. Other than that, I'd guess the little guy died from PPS. Here's a care sheet that explains PPS:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=92531

Sorry for your loss!

.

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[harry potter]

It sounds to me like Post Purchase Syndrome. Unfortunately crabs go through a lot during shipping and living at the pet store. Some just don't survive due to stress.

[Mittens205]

Hi! I'll put my suggestions under your answers. Hope this helps!





Thank you so much. They were all above ground when I changed the substrate thankfully. I will get some new water conditioners and do more research on the food ASAP.

[Mittens205]

It sounds to me like Post Purchase Syndrome. Unfortunately crabs go through a lot during shipping and living at the pet store. Some just don't survive due to stress.

Thank you for the response. It makes me feel a little better to know it might not have been something I did. I'm also gonna take the other poster's advice and change their food and water conditioners.

[CrabbyLover77]

You're welcome!

Here's the safe food list to help get you started:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92557

Heres the link for water info:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=92553

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[mool]

I'm sorry you lost one to what is likely PPS. While the other crabs can't catch PPS from the one who died, they are also in danger until they go through a molt or two.

Keep the conditions spot on, keep your hands out of the tank as much as possible and give them every opportunity to survive. It's really up to them. There is no way you can know what stressors they went through and for how long.