Dropped all his legs!!

[mossthewolf]

My crab dropped all his legs and is in his shell. I'm not sure if he's alive or not, but he isn't moving. This isn't a molt, since it's the full leg. Is he dead or not? If dead, how do I get him out of his shell so I can keep the shell?

[Teedeums]

He might be dead if he has lost all of his limbs, but JIC you should wait a couple of days before you declare him dead and attempt to him. To deshell him, either rock back and forth in water until crab falls out, or try and pull him out with tweezers. I hope he isn't dead, it is so sad when a crab dies .


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CallaLily]

Just because he's lost all his limbs does not mean he's dead. This thread is about crabs who've been attacked but it goes over some info on caring for a crab with all or most limbs lost. viewtopic.php?t=92528

Always wait until you're absolutely sure a crab has passed. Either from noticing the death smell or decomposition. A deceased crab will usually fall out of it's shell but sometimes you'll need to remove it (again, please wait until you're absolutely sure he's gone).
Can you please answer these questions so we can help figure out what may have went wrong? http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

If this is a new crab, it could be PPS. http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 67&t=92531

[mossthewolf]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Half of the tank is 3 inch coconut fiber, the other half is 1 inch 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?
Yes, 72 degrees and 80-90% humidity

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, heat lamp

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; ZooMed salt conditioner and distilled water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
TetraFauna Hermit crab meal. I replace it every day but I was gone for 3 days and the food got a little moldy.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Just about 3 weeks. Purple Pincher

7. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
5 gallon tank, plexiglass lid with some breathing ventilation

8. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3, one is medium, (half-inch size big claw) the other two are smaller (quarter inch size claws)

9. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
four of all different sizes

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

11. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I do a light clean once a month where I just rinse out the water and give them fresh water. I have only had them for a month and a half.

12. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes. I usually just rinse it off, let it dry, then put it back in the tank.

13. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
no

14. 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.)?

15. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
My crab walked to a spot in the tank and I left for 3 days. When I came back I found him in the very same spot with all of his legs detached. He is still in the shell, but I feel no movement.
One crab was in iso for a molt and another has not been seen in a week since he buried himself. I do not think this was an attack.

I think It may have been the mold, but the crab didn't seem to have strayed from his spot back from when the food was fresh. He was in the exact same spot, exact same position.

[Knibitz]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Half of the tank is 3 inch coconut fiber, the other half is 1 inch sand

This really isn't enough. You should have at least 6in of substrate (ideally a coco fiber/sand mix) through the entire tank.

That being said, I'm going to guess this was a combination of PPS and failed surface molt.
With not having enough substrate to dig down, especially if the crab is used to sand and the deepest substrate is the coco fiber.
My best guess would be is that it was struggling to prep itself for molting (PPS), couldn't find a place to dig down, and ended up sitting dropping all the legs from the combined stress.

The best thing you can do is make sure the crab is isolated, offer it shallow dishes of a small amount of honey mixed with crushed (powdered) egg shells for calcium - put the crab near enough to the dish where it can stretch out and get to the food without having to crawl, but don't place his face directly in it.

Avoid handling it for a few days, sniff around for the "dead fish" smell that will be a signal of its' death, but other than that - let it be to recuperate.