Body more out of shell than normal and involuntary leg movements?

[mboening]

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?
Purchased from the hermit crab patch, approximately 9 in

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, located on the back wall, temperature is usually around 78 and humidity around 83.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, heating pads attached to the outside glass.

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 water are available, salt is from the hermit crab patch and the chlorinator is nutrafin - I drop per gallon

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Food from the hermit crab patch, changed every other day

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Purple pincher, about 14 years

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, came up in February 2021 after 74 days

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
75 gallon aquarium with a mesh lid and a piece of plexiglass on the top to control humidity and temperature

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Total of four crabs, not sure how to describe their size! Largest are in shells about the size of a golf ball

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Approximately 35

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

No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
General surface cleaning and wipe down every other day, deep cleaning about twice a year

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?
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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Prudence seems to be hanging out of her shell more than normal. I can see more of her body that I usually do when she is in her shell. She also appears to be having some involuntary leg movements? I noticed that she will be sitting somewhere and all of a sudden a like will move, seemingly on its own. I know that sometimes hermit crabs do hang out of their shells if they are feeling comfortable, but I have never observed this exact behavior in her before. I'm not sure if this is nothing to worry about or if she needs to be isolated or? Any help is much appreciated!

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[CrabbyLover77]

Hi,

I don't really see anything wrong with your tank conditions. I'm not sure what's going on. Can you post a pic of her? The easiest way to add pics is to download the Tapatalk app. Hopefully my post will bump yours up and someone might know more than I do. Def see if you can add a pic.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[crabbycasey]

This happened to my OC, Hermione, several months ago. Never did figure it out, but it only happened a couple times and she is still going strong!


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[Eliona]

I've read that they are probably cleaning out their shell or fixing it more to their liking. Is she eating and drinking normally?

[mboening]

Oh gosh I was so distracted I never replied! She was grooming eggs!