Post purchase syndrome? URGENT

[Silas0526_]

How deep is it? Ideally you want the substrate to be deep enough to moult, 3x the height of your tallest crab. Usually for smaller crabs, works out to around 6 inches.


Humidity is very low. Ideally looking at consistent levels above 70%, ideally above 75%. Temp is fine.


Distilled water is fine, but the flukers saltwater is best and succinctly described as garbage. (Fancy table salt at best). Ideally you want salt made for saltwater/reef fish, many suggest instant ocean as its readily available and relatively cheap.


Look at the food guide(s) if you haven't already. Offering just this medley is going to cause deficiencies in their diet long-term, but many warn against offering heavily processed foods all the time. The good thing is the crabs basically eat what we eat, so any table scraps is a good starting point for the crabs to ensure they get a balanced diet.


If the tank has no solid lid, it may be the problem of the low humidity. A solid lid would be a good decision, and help ensure the crabs don't escape.



Is the fish smell coming from the crab, or the tank? If from the crab, it could be a sign its overheated. Otherwise, if from the tank, it may be a piece of food that has been dragged off and starting to rot. Did the crab come out of its exo, or any hollow pieces of the body within the tank to suggest a moult?

The info you have requested, below

[Silas0526_]

Or, above

[hermitcrablover2]

If you got the new hermit crab about a month ago, it's probably not likely to be PPS, but it's still possible. I would move him to an ISO tank to protect the other crab, but if he might be surface molting... is the other crab acting weird?

[Silas0526_]

No. The other crab seems fine.

[Silas0526_]

He twitched today. Just like two minutes ago.

[hermitcrablover2]

If you bought both of the crabs at the same time at the same pet store, then it seems unlikely that it would be PPS unless the other hermit crab was acting weird too. It seems strange that the hermit crab isn't active, at least he twitched so you know he's alive. What color is he right now? If he's a gray-white color then he's molting. Also, maybe try staying up later to see if he's more active at night

[curlysister]

If you bought both of the crabs at the same time at the same pet store, then it seems unlikely that it would be PPS unless the other hermit crab was acting weird too. It seems strange that the hermit crab isn't active, at least he twitched so you know he's alive. What color is he right now? If he's a gray-white color then he's molting. Also, maybe try staying up later to see if he's more active at night

A crab is susceptible to PPS until at least after the first molt when we get them. PPS is also unpredictable and not a guarantee one way or the other - so even if multiple crabs come from the same conditions, only one or some or none may be affected.