Sorry for not following the template earlier, this is my first post here.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Eco Earth
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, a Hydrotherm which displays and regulates both humidity and temp. A ceramic heat lamp and fogger are hooked to Hygrotherm and the tank stays at 78 degrees F and 78% humidity
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Ceramic 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)?
Fresh distilled water and pre-mixed salt water, intended for use in a salt water fish tank
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Shrimp, crill, plankton, etc. as well as freeze dried veggies and fruit. I get all my food from the Hermit Crab Patch. Awesome stuff.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
PP and a couple of years now. He is a medium-large sized crab
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
many times, not sure when the last molt was but I would say probably within the past month.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
It is a large glass terrarium with an opening front. I believe made by ZooMed.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
6 and they range in size from small to Jumbo.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
at least 15 or so all different sizes.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Deep clean every couple of months, other than that spot clean daily.
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.)?
No playtime or bathing. looks like a shell fight occurred.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I need some advice on a situation one of my hermit crabs is in. This past Sunday the 22nd I got home from the grocery and went to feed my hermit crabs. To my surprise it looked as if a pretty intense shell fight took place. Ive had Hermit Crabs for years and haven't broken up a shell fight in at least 2 or 3 years. My current enclosure consists of 6 hermit crabs all ranging in size from small to Jumbo, with a plethora of different sized shells and types, so shell options are not an issue. One of my medium sized hermit crabs was the victim of the shell fight when I was gone. I found him naked, pinned in the corner of the the fresh water bowl. At first I thought he was dead, but saw him faintly moving around. I quickly took him out of the tank and transported him to a small ISO tank.
The major problem here, is that while in the fight, he seemed to have lost 3 out of his 4 legs as well as his Big Pincher and half of his feeder pincher!!! Yes, 4 appendages and half of another. I have heard if Hermit Crabs drop any more than 2 legs in a day, it is pretty much game over
His other leg seems work and is still attached but damaged toward the end. I can't believe he was still alive when I found him. I stuck him in the ISO figuring he probably wouldn't make it through the night, however he was still alive in the morning I put a couple shells in the ISO to see if he would go into one on his own. I figured it was a long shot and the last thing I wanted to do was pick him up and try and coax him into a shell in fear I would stress him out even more. I checked on him the next day and he was still naked but alive. I put some food in the ISO and left him be, in hopes he would get into a shell or at least de-stress as much as possible. He was still alive Wed. and I was able to pick him up and stick him into a shell. He obviously cant move very well, so I went ahead and started hand feeding him food yesterday. he ate a ton and seems to be doing OK (relatively speaking) Hes not moving around the ISO, but does come out and retract into his shell like a normal crab would.
Anyways, I just wanted some advice on the situation if anyone has anything. It's a long shot, but hes hanging in there. IF he holds on, I'm hoping I can nurse him through or at least into a surface molt. IDK how hard it will be for him to actually complete a molt, missing most all of his limbs and all, but if he can make it through one at least the legs will start to regenerate and he might have a bit more mobility. I hope he hangs in there and I will keep you all posted on the situation. Until then, any help would be greatly appreciated
