Crab was naked now it's behaving strangely

[Lunaria]

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?
Sand and Coconutfiber 5:1, 6 inches


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: middle of the tank, 80 degrees, 80% humidity


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
2 heat pats/mats
On the side of the tank above the substrate level


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 and Salt water, both without chlorine and the salt water is made with instant ocean


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
It's replaced daily, they get fat sources, animal and plant protein, seeds and nuts, fruits, vegetables, different kinds of seaweeds, worm castings and calcium every day
No salt no sugar,...


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

Some months, it's still a baby
Purple pincher
Cream color

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

I think it has, not sure tho
It was underground for some weeks and now it has black tips on his limbs

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

Terrarium, the mesh is covered so the humidity stays inside
About 40 gallon


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
5 young crabs, small


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

About 40

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

No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?

Only spot cleaning when I see something dirty...

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.

My little crab started showing himself again three days ago after he was under the substrate for quite a while- I think he might have molted for the first time in my enclosure, he has black tips now.

He changed his shell many times in the last three days and he ran around like crazy. I have Mexican turbos and many other kinds of rather preferred shells in the right size in the tank.

Today I found him without his shell... so I followed the instructions: I put him in a small container with a little bit of water and some shells he likes and waited for an hour.

I was happy when I saw that he moved into one of the shells and I put him out of the container and into the enclosure because I thought he will be fine...He was not

I checked on him half an hour later and he was out of his shell again! Then he crawled around naked for a little while.
Then he moved into another shell. He's been in that shell for 1½ hours now.

Unfortunately he's been hanging on the ladder to the fresh water pool for a long time now...he's still in his shell but him being close to the water for a long time is a bad sign..

I put honey, natural peanut butter and popcorn additional to their other foods in the thank because I want him to eat something

What do I do? Will he die?


.

[HermitGuy3]

All of your tank conditions sound really good. Have you calibrated your hygrometer? If the humidity is too low then this might be what is causing it. You might want to ISO him? Maybe check for shell rot? As always, sometimes the crabs just go through roo much before we get them. Hope he gets better!

[Lunaria]

All of your tank conditions sound really good. Have you calibrated your hygrometer? If the humidity is too low then this might be what is causing it. You might want to ISO him? Maybe check for shell rot? As always, sometimes the crabs just go through roo much before we get them. Hope he gets better!

Thank you for answering!
Yes I have 3 hygrometers/thermometers
I'll check for shell rot
Thank you I hope so too

[Lunaria]

Update:he's been sitting by the water tge whole night...
He's wearing a shell but he doesn't really move a lot

I don't think he has shell rot but I don't want to touch him because he probably wouldn't want me to take him

[curlysister]

As already stated, your tank conditions sound good. And you are correct that his behavior is concerning. Could you isolate him from the other crabs, like in a smaller container inside your tank? That way he would have the proper heat and humidity, but be protected from the others because he is weak and vulnerable. Feed him the high energy foods like you suggested with the honey and peanut butter.
Crabs go through so much before we get them, that sometimes they are not able to overcome it. And we can't do any kind of diagnostics or testing to see exactly what is going on.

[Lunaria]

As already stated, your tank conditions sound good. And you are correct that his behavior is concerning. Could you isolate him from the other crabs, like in a smaller container inside your tank? That way he would have the proper heat and humidity, but be protected from the others because he is weak and vulnerable. Feed him the high energy foods like you suggested with the honey and peanut butter.
Crabs go through so much before we get them, that sometimes they are not able to overcome it. And we can't do any kind of diagnostics or testing to see exactly what is going on.

Thank you! I've isolated him into his own tank because my container would have been to small to give him all he needs.
He's not doing a lot... at least he's hiding a bit under some moss instead of sitting exposed like he did the last days. Also he has changed his shell again
But he really seems to be weak
I'll keep you updated!

[curlysister]

It's good he has stayed in a shell.
Has he eaten?

[Lunaria]

It's good he has stayed in a shell.
Has he eaten?

Update: Yes he ate some apple (his favorite snack) and some meat yesterday. I think he will be fine, he started climbing a bit again. I'll keep him in his own little tank for some more weeks until I I'm sure that he's okay again
Thank you for your help!

[curlysister]

Oh that's good to hear!