Hermit Crab Naked

[NLindsey921]

This morning I woke up tp find one of my hermits naked and sprawled out face first into the salt water bowl with his abdomen hanging over the side. He appeared dead so i gently poked him to see if I would get a response. I did. I gently picked him up and washed his abdomen off. I washed off his shell and placed him back in. Once he felt it touch his abdomen he slid down in it by himself. I do not have an isolation tank set up because so far I have not really needed one so i currently have him in one of the pet store cups half filled with moss inside the tank. I do not know what to do next. I think he was attacked because he is missing one of his claws. What do I do next??????

[NLindsey921]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
eco earth coco fiber about four 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, 3, back right corner reads 60%, back left corner reads 80%, front left corner reads 90%

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
yes, heat lamp and heating pad on right side of tank

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 salt and fresh, i use all living things to declorinate it and i use instant ocean to salt the water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
food from http://www.hermitcrappatch.com i replace every other day

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
about a week and its a pp

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
no

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
20 gallon regular with a half plasyic/ half mesh lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
9 and no bigger than an inch no smaller than half

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

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
have not had to clean it yet

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 added a moss pit in a plastic shower tray

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

[NLindsey921]

Sadly, the crab has passed away.

[Kittykimbro@att.net]

I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds as if he died of PPS. Post purchase syndrome. They go through so much stress from being captured, shipped, put on display for sale then a trip home with a new owner that they just can't survive it all. The best of homes is not always enough to overcome all of the bad.

[marandashermies]

[quote="NLindsey921"]Sadly, the crab has passed away.[/quote

So sorry for your loss. Its so tough to see one pass. You did exactly the right thing by re-shelling him immediately. It very well could be PPS, however the crab may have also been attacked by another crab, since you stated it didn't have his BP? It could have dropped it from stress, or another crab could have attacked him. A 20g tank should really only house 4 crabs comfortably. So you are for sure dealing with a bit of an overcrowding issue. You also stated you have 10 shells to 9 crabs? I would have at minimum 4-5 extra shells per crab, so there is no shell fights or attempting to steal another crabs shell off its back. Are you able to upgrade your tank to something a bit bigger? IMO I would put 9 crabs in a 40g at least. They really need that space to dig, make tunnels and molt under the sub. Overcrowding is extremely stressful on them. And like I mentioned before, I would really try to get additional shells just in case this was an attack for this crabbies shell, vs PPS.

The only other thing I would recommend is adding some additional substrate. I know you said your have small crabs, but try and get at least 6inch in there just to be safe, that really is the minimum. Remember, they wont be little for long! What is your temp at? Both temp and humidity is best at or around 80 degrees and 80%. It sounds like you are off too a great start, if you are able to fix these few things I think you would eliminate the chances of any more fatalities in the future! Again, sorry for your loss.

If you haven't already, check out the care sheet below. Good luck!

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 51&t=92457

[NLindsey921]

Thank you for your suggestions. The temperature is at about 80 during the day and around 75 at night after the heat lamp turns off. I will be sure to take into consideration your suggestions and am working on getting new shells. I just need to find a good shop online for them. Is it safe to add substrate in when i have crabs buried?

[NLindsey921]

Added more substrate. It is now right at 6 inches

[marandashermies]

Added more substrate. It is now right at 6 inches

awesome, the more the better! naples sea shells is great, also Richards sea shells. That's where I buy all of mine from!

[NLindsey921]

i ordered some from naples. They havve not arrived yet but should be here soon.