One died, now I’m worried about the other

[NotSure101]

After my hermit crab Crash molted he started to get like lethargic, not eating, and he was sitting in the corner of his tank for days before he died. Now my female hermit crab is upset and not eating since she lost her partner, he curled up next to her on his last day. I’m not sure what to do about her


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[GotButterflies]

Please fill out the help request template so that we can further help you.

Edit: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102

[NotSure101]

I answered your questions with GB for GotButterflies

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 by coping and pasting this list into a New Topic. 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. Thanks!

What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Sand, and it’s about 2-3 inches deep

GB: Substrate, (playsand mixed with eco earth 5:1 ratio), should be 6 inches or 3 times the height of your largest crab (whichever is deeper). If you have Es substrate should be at least 10-12”. Substrate should be mixed with dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make the substrate sandcastle consistency. I personally mix mine with dechlorinated marine saltwater.

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?
About 72 degrees,

GB: This is important. You need to know what the humidity and the temperature is for your crabsIMO, minimum heat and humidity should be 80/80. Hermit crabs have modified gills and need the humidity to breathe.
Also IMO analog gauges can be a little wonky and unreliable. If you are interested, you can buy an Acurite guage from Amazon, digital, runs on batteries, tells you temp and humidity currently as well as low and high for last 24 hours:


Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heat lamp

GB: Heat lamps are terrible for crabs. You need an ultratherm. www.reptilebasics.com or www.beanfarm.com. they go on the back and or sides of the tank, not the bottom.

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)? I use the hermit crab salt water at petsmart and Walmart.

GB: Unfortunately most products marketed for hermit crabs are not safe. (Bottled hermit crab saltwater and Zoomed hermit crab saltwater are not sufficient products for them). A lot of us use a product called Instant Ocean which is what aquarium hobbyists use to make saltwater aquariums. It has the essential trace elements that hermit crabs need. You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, and chloramine as well as neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals. A lot of us use a product called Prime. As far as salt, you need marine salt, to mimic the ocean. You have to use the dechlorinator for both freshwater and marine saltwater. Both pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge in and safe enough for them to get out of.
Double dish water pools:
viewtopic.php?f=127&t=113691


What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
It is replaced everyday, they get dried coconut, peanut butter treats and variety diet

GB: Hermit crabs can eat a lot of the same things that we eat. Just check to make sure the item is on the safe list. Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
You also want to provide one or more calcium sources at all times. Examples would be Cuttlebone, Organic Eggshell, Oyster Shell, Lobster Exo, Shrimp Exo.
Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid
Safe food list:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Unsafe food list:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92556
Food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554


How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Purple pincher I think.

Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Yes Crash molted maybe 2 weeks ago, and Ida never molted before

What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
A net type lid and a 55 gallon tank


GB: With mesh lids you can always cover them with Press-N-Seal, or tape Ziploc bags on them to help keep the humidty in. I personally love glass tops. Please note that with glass tops you cannot set heat lamps on them – it will cause the glass to crack.


How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2, one is a female she is the size of a kiwi, and crash was the side of maybe a small apple

How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 5 shells

GB: The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per hermit crab. I personally recommend more. It never hurts to have more There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552


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


How often do you clean the tank and how?
1 or 2 times a week

Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? 2 and their cleaned with water

GB: Sponges can be used as a food source. Squeeze all of the water out of it and put it directly on the substrate. Do not place them in the water bowls.


Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No

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.)?
They get soaking salt baths maybe 4 times a week or less, they don’t really get out of the habit, depends on if they want to.


Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

Crash was my male hermit crab, he’s been acting lethargic and not eating or drinking, after he molted he lost his big claw and a few of his legs, he never came out of his shell after, I’d move him closer to the food and water dish but he refused to eat and drink or even move. Yesterday morning I found him cuddling Ida outside of his shell, him and Ida was very very close. He was twitching and had some small spots on him, this morning he was dead, when I took Ida out I found a couple small spots on her now I’m worried she’ll be sick, she refused to eat today, I think she’s sad because she lost her partner. Please tell me what to do

GB: TBH, a lot needs to be improved with your crabitat...especially diet. I'm sorry that you were probably misinformed that these guys were easy to care for. Make the improvements that I suggested, and you will have happy crabs. If you are unable to, as I know it is expensive, you can always adopt your crabby out. More than likely it is due to PPS. They go through a lot to get to us, and then when their needs are still not met properly, they unfortunately decline. I'm sorry. I hope your crabby makes it! Boost heat asap, boost humidity asap.

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[NotSure101]

Thank you so much


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[NotSure101]

I hate do I do about Ida, she refused to eat today, she didn’t even eat her favorite treat


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[GotButterflies]

Yw. At this point, just do what you can to correct conditions. Try not to handle the crab.
Edit: Crabs also sometimes do better in the dark when they are stressed.

[NotSure101]

Do you think that would help her?


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[GotButterflies]

It doesn't hurt. Hopefully your crab will pull through.