All of my crabs walking legs fell off. only thing left are the claws.

[myhermiesnoopy]

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?
I use zilla coconut bricks and hermit crab sand (from amazon) with one side at 6 inches and the other at 3

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?
I have them and they usually read 75 humidity and 70-75 degrees F

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
ultratherm inside the tank on the back

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. Prime declorinator and marine salt.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed them Flukers color enhancer treat in red and Gargeer hermit crab complete diet. on occasion fruits and veggies such as cucumbers and carrots

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had Crab Cakes for about a month. He is a PP.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No he has not molted yet in my sight.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
aqueon 20 gallon long with a glass lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs, one on the larger side (snoopy) and one medium (crab cakes) also both PP

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
9 extra shells currently. however neither have switched shells within the month

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
spot clean up food every time I see loose food around.

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?
I have recently switched from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon and I have added more substrate, new lid, new heater but all hides and water and food are same.

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.
IM FREAKING OUT. My medium sized PP, Crab cakes had recently been in the corner of the tank facing away and not moved for a couple of days. In the month ive had him, he has not eaten AT ALL (from what ive seen) So today I reached into the tank to pick him up to check on him and makes sure he's not dead. I pick him up and THE ONLY LEGS HE HAS LEFT ARE HIS CLAWS. (so I obviously had a total breakdown as anybody for do for 2 hours) and I really do not know what to do because my mother hermit has not even like interacted with him since he's been in that corner. I just really don't know what to do, ISO maybe? I have done so much research on these crabby guys and I don't know if it's just super stress or anything but I am genuinely freaking out. He can't even move and walk without struggle so should I be moving him to the water bowls so he can drink and eat and stuff or just leave him alone so I don't stress him out? Please help me, i'm genuinely begging.

.

[myhermiesnoopy]

he’s now just hanging out of his shell, he’s alive but just barely. i’ve decided to put him into a small iso with water and honey and just let him be until he passes.

[HermitGuy3]

Try isoing him in the tank. Usually commercial food us toxic, so feed them fresh foods with lots of animal protein. You can look at the safe food list. What type are your shells? What hermit crab sand do you have from Amazon? The only safe one is Flukers. Calcium sand or calcium sand can suffocate them and glue them in their shells. You should also have your substrate level, minimum 6 inches.

[curlysister]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I use zilla coconut bricks and hermit crab sand (from amazon) with one side at 6 inches and the other at 3
Curly - Depending on the size of your crabs, 3 inches may be deep enough. Your sub should be at least 2-3 times as deep as your largest crab. What brand is your 'hermit crab sand'?

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?
I have them and they usually read 75 humidity and 70-75 degrees F

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
ultratherm inside the tank on the back
Curly - Your Ultratherm should go on the outside of the tank. You can insulate over top of it, to help hold the heat in.

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. Prime declorinator and marine salt.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed them Flukers color enhancer treat in red and Gargeer hermit crab complete diet. on occasion fruits and veggies such as cucumbers and carrots
Curly - The concern with commercial foods is that some preservatives (in particular copper sulfate, BHT, and EQ) may not be safe long term. The Fluker's color enhancer has no preservatives. The Gargeer food says fish meal preserved with tocopherols, so likely isn't harmful. Crabs do best with a varied diet. So while you might continue with these foods, you can also add more fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, animal protein, eggs, egg shells, etc. You don't have to spend a lot, they can eat many things we can eat so you can feed little bits from your meals.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had Crab Cakes for about a month. He is a PP.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No he has not molted yet in my sight.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
aqueon 20 gallon long with a glass lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs, one on the larger side (snoopy) and one medium (crab cakes) also both PP

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
9 extra shells currently. however neither have switched shells within the month

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
spot clean up food every time I see loose food around.

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?
I have recently switched from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon and I have added more substrate, new lid, new heater but all hides and water and food are same.

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.
IM FREAKING OUT. My medium sized PP, Crab cakes had recently been in the corner of the tank facing away and not moved for a couple of days. In the month ive had him, he has not eaten AT ALL (from what ive seen) So today I reached into the tank to pick him up to check on him and makes sure he's not dead. I pick him up and THE ONLY LEGS HE HAS LEFT ARE HIS CLAWS. (so I obviously had a total breakdown as anybody for do for 2 hours) and I really do not know what to do because my mother hermit has not even like interacted with him since he's been in that corner. I just really don't know what to do, ISO maybe? I have done so much research on these crabby guys and I don't know if it's just super stress or anything but I am genuinely freaking out. He can't even move and walk without struggle so should I be moving him to the water bowls so he can drink and eat and stuff or just leave him alone so I don't stress him out? Please help me, i'm genuinely begging.
Curly - Crabs drop legs in an effort to conserve energy. They go through so much before we get them, that sometimes they are unable to recover, even if our conditions are ideal. There is sometimes nothing that you did or didn't do to cause it. They are at risk of 'post purchase syndrome' until at least their first molt with us.
If a crab is weak, it is best to isolate it - either in a small container in the main tank (with holes cut in the lid), or if a separate tank if you are able to maintain temp and humidity in both. Honey is a good high energy food. Add some peanut butter in there as well, it's good energy and protein. You may need to move him close to the food, and put it in something low like a half shell or a bottle cap.