My hermit crab is not in its shell and is bleeding

[Fabernathy]

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? [aquarium gravel][2”]


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? [no but I have many large sponges to keep it humid]


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? [yes I have a heating pad under the substrate ]


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)? [fresh dechlorinated water and CC pet hermit crab salt water]


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? [lettuce, celery, grapes, and hermit crab food]


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? [I’ve had it for 2 years unknown species]


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


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


[i]9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? [2 medium sized crabs]


[i]10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? [I have 5 shells all bigger than the crabs current ones]


[i]11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? [no]


[i]12. How often do you clean the tank and how? [every month I wash the gravel and keep the crabs in a separate container]


[i]13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? [yes and they are cleaned with tap water]


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


[i]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 clean the food and water containers weekly]


[i]16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. [my smaller hermit crab stopped moving above ground and came out of his shell and it appears that he is bleeding. I do not want to touch him because I don’t want him to die. I removed the other crab and have kept him in darkness hoping that he’s just molting. But it’s his rear end that is bleeding. https://share.icloud.com/photos/081rqT ... 4WHy6cx8w

.

[Fabernathy]

Update he is now twitching his legs but still no big movements

[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? [aquarium gravel][2”]

CL77-Gravel is not a good susbtrate for crabs. You'll want to change that out asap. Sub should be cocofiber and/or play sand, mixed with dechlorinated water to sand castle consistency. It should be at least 6" deep, or 3x the height of your largest crab.

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? [no but I have many large sponges to keep it humid]

CL77-A temp and humidity gauge are a must. Temps should be 75-85°F and humidity 70%+, shoot for 80%+ tho. Hermits have modified gills and need moisture in the air to breathe. This is why is so important to have a hygrometer.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? [yes I have a heating pad under the substrate ]

CL77-For hermits, you want the uth placed on the sides or backs of the tank above the substrate line. The goal is to heat the air and not the substrate. With the amount of substrate hermits require, it's a fire hazard to use a uth under the tank. A uth that has been stuck to the tank using adhesive cannot be removed and re-stuck. It's a fire hazard.

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)? [fresh dechlorinated water and CC pet hermit crab salt water]

CL77-Hrrnit crabs need a marine salt, so the one your using won't be sufficient. Instant Ocean is a popular brand that many of us use on here. Mix according to the instructions on the bag/box.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? [lettuce, celery, grapes, and hermit crab food]

CL77-Variety is key. They need a constant source of protein and calcium to stay healthy. Check out the safe food list on here for some ideas.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? [I’ve had it for 2 years unknown species]


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

CL77- 2 years is a very long time to not molt. It's likely because it cannot dig and burrow in gravel. Like I mentioned above, change out to new substrate asap.

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


[i]9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? [2 medium sized crabs]


[i]10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? [I have 5 shells all bigger than the crabs current ones]

CL77- make sure the shells are the correct type. You likely have purple pinchers, which prefer round openings like turbos. Check out the shell care sheet on here for ideas. Hca recommends 3-5 of the correct shell types per crab, so you'll want at least 6-10 extra shells.

[i]11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? [no]


[i]12. How often do you clean the tank and how? [every month I wash the gravel and keep the crabs in a separate container]


[i]13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? [yes and they are cleaned with tap water]
CL77- Sponges in water harbor bacteria, so you'll want to take them out. You can leave them in the tank dry for them to munch on tho.


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


[i]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 clean the food and water containers weekly]


[i]16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. [my smaller hermit crab stopped moving above ground and came out of his shell and it appears that he is bleeding. I do not want to touch him because I don’t want him to die. I removed the other crab and have kept him in darkness hoping that he’s just molting. But it’s his rear end that is bleeding. https://share.icloud.com/photos/081rqT ... 4WHy6cx8w

CL77- I couldn't see your pic, but the crab likely could have been injured from the sharp gravel. You'll need to make the changes I suggested above asap, especially changing out the substrate and getting a temp/humidity gauge. You'll want to isolate the injured crab from it's friend. I'd keep the injured crab in a small moist container with a little bit of food and water. But honestly, it doesn't sound like he will make it. I'm sorry.

.

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[CrabbyLover77]

I forgot to mention, a crab drops its shell when it's too weak to carry it. You'll need to try and re-shell him asap. Follow these instructions to do so:
https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 7&t=122302

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[Fabernathy]

I forgot to mention, a crab drops its shell when it's too weak to carry it. You'll need to try and re-shell him asap. Follow these instructions to do so:
https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 7&t=122302

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The problem is he won’t move like at all so I think he is dead

[CrabbyLover77]

The problem is he won’t move like at all so I think he is dead

He probably is, I'm sorry. Still make those changes I suggested asap for your remaining crabby.

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[curlysister]

CL77 has given great advice, and I agree that you will need to make changes if you want to ensure the survival of your remaining crab. I just wanted to add the link to our 'basics' care sheet, which will walk you through everything step by step.

viewtopic.php?f=120&t=119273