Trend of dead crabs - am I doing something wrong?

[GotButterflies]

You can put a towel on top of the tat & over sides that dont have a heater (assuming your heater can't be insulated safely) to help retain heat. Especially at night. But you might want to plug one in when it's cooler, especially as we get deeper into winter. Just remember to keep a close eye on your humidity when adding heat.

I was having the same problem for a bit, and my crabs were really inactive. Now I've increased temp, they are tearing up the place.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to just grab an extra heating pad or two at my pet store when I pick up the new crabs tomorrow. I'm already assigning my bedroom power strip to the crabitat to ensure that I can power both the heaters and the lights, so I can afford the outlets to add another! I will keep a close eye on the temperature - the last thing I want is to fry the poor things. 75F to 85F, right? I'm going to try to keep it at 80F-85F, though.

GB: surviving and thriving...think of it that way. You want it above 80 it all times. (On both humidity and temperature). The uths you buy at the store are expensive and don't really heat the tank. Up to you though. http://Www.reptilebasics.com. You can buy them on Amazon too, but you have to get creative in your search. Also, hermits have modified gills ~ they need the humidity to breathe properly. You can buy a thermostat for your tank, but with a digital thermometer your readings will be more accurate than an analog.


Thank you SO MUCH for all the help, guys. I cannot emphasize how appreciate I am of it. You've helped me feel less guilty about the previous crabs I've failed in and helped me ensure future crabs have a better chance of survival.

So, one final question!

As I introduce the new future crabs to their new home, what behavior can I expect? Based on past experience, I know to prepare for digging (which means molting or destressing, I hope!). What else should I be prepared for? I know a crab isn't safe until its first molt, but are there danger signs to watch out for? I'm mostly looking for advice on stuff that I can help with. For example: "if the crabs seem to be crawling around the edges of the tank a lot, that means the humidity is too low!" (I've seen the crabs do this in the past, and I've wondered if that means they're dissatisfied with the existing tank's conditions, since it seems like they're trying to escape).

GB: in the wild hermits travel for miles! They aren't always trying to escape. They just want exercise. Consider getting them a hamster wheel. I have two tanks, 100 gallon & 75 gallon. I have 3 wheels. All get used on a regular basis. Most often than not there is a line to use them. I'll be happy to post picks if needed.

e: Another question! Do I need to bathe hermit crabs when I'm first introducing them to the tank, if there are no other hermit crabs currently aboveground in it? I will if I need to! But I don't want to induce additional stress unless I need to.

GB: be careful not to overcrowd. I personally recommend 1 crab per 5 gallons, have no issues with that. Yes, just dip in the freshwater that is in their tank.

Good luck! I answered all of your questions above with GB for GotButterflies


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[PickYerPoison]

Thank you! That's really helpful info. One extra question:

GB: surviving and thriving...think of it that way. You want it above 80 it all times. (On both humidity and temperature). The uths you buy at the store are expensive and don't really heat the tank. Up to you though. http://Www.reptilebasics.com. You can buy them on Amazon too, but you have to get creative in your search. Also, hermits have modified gills ~ they need the humidity to breathe properly. You can buy a thermostat for your tank, but with a digital thermometer your readings will be more accurate than an analog.

The ones they sell at my pet store are from ZooMed, who seem to make pretty good stuff otherwise. I'll probably go with these still due to ease of access - I can get all my stuff in and potentially get new crabs today if I use one of those, but if I order one online I might not be able to get new crabs for another week or something.

[GotButterflies]

Understandable. For the most part, zoomed makes decent stuff. You have so do what works for you! definitely get a digital hygrometer $8.50 - Walmart in home improvement section or on Amazon. Acurite is the name brand. Good luck!


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[Kermie16]

I have to second the hamster wheel!! Not only are the crabs getting their walks in but it is just pure entertainment for me to see them in it! Very cool!!


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[GotButterflies]

I have to second the hamster wheel!! Not only are the crabs getting their walks in but it is just pure entertainment for me to see them in it! Very cool!!


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Very true...it is a conversation piece for sure!


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[PickYerPoison]

I'll look for one in the pet store in a few days when I get the new crabs, then! There's not a lot of space in the crabitat right now, but maybe I can find a smaller one.

[kieagcarm]

Thank you! That's really helpful info. One extra question:

GB: surviving and thriving...think of it that way. You want it above 80 it all times. (On both humidity and temperature). The uths you buy at the store are expensive and don't really heat the tank. Up to you though. http://Www.reptilebasics.com. You can buy them on Amazon too, but you have to get creative in your search. Also, hermits have modified gills ~ they need the humidity to breathe properly. You can buy a thermostat for your tank, but with a digital thermometer your readings will be more accurate than an analog.

The ones they sell at my pet store are from ZooMed, who seem to make pretty good stuff otherwise. I'll probably go with these still due to ease of access - I can get all my stuff in and potentially get new crabs today if I use one of those, but if I order one online I might not be able to get new crabs for another week or something.

Please take my mistake to heart, I have bought three different sizes zoomed uth and have wasted so much money. However, everyone recommends ultratherm, but they require insulating to heat properly in cold places.I too bought one but unfortunately an temporarily living my stepdad and mom, stepdad is a firefighter and refuses to key me insulate, says it will cause a fire even though I show him post after post where people successfully do it. I recently came across a post here where someone bought an aiiciio seeding mat uth, that sticks on its own like a zoomed, but heats perfectly like an insulated ultratherm. I just ordered one a few minutes ago, they come in lots of sizes similar to ultratherm and are cheaper

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[PickYerPoison]

Please take my mistake to heart, I have bought three different sizes zoomed uth and have wasted so much money. However, everyone recommends ultratherm, but they require insulating to heat properly in cold places.I too bought one but unfortunately an temporarily living my stepdad and mom, stepdad is a firefighter and refuses to key me insulate, says it will cause a fire even though I show him post after post where people successfully do it. I recently came across a post here where someone bought an aiiciio seeding mat uth, that sticks on its own like a zoomed, but heats perfectly like an insulated ultratherm. I just ordered one a few minutes ago, they come in lots of sizes similar to ultratherm and are cheaper

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Any more info on those? Where to buy, reviews, etc?

For now I just got a space heater for my room, which I'd wanted anyway since regardless of how I heat the crabitat my room's still gonna end up chilly. That's helping the crabitat by maintaining a more stable, warmer room temperature, too.

[kieagcarm]

Please take my mistake to heart, I have bought three different sizes zoomed uth and have wasted so much money. However, everyone recommends ultratherm, but they require insulating to heat properly in cold places.I too bought one but unfortunately an temporarily living my stepdad and mom, stepdad is a firefighter and refuses to key me insulate, says it will cause a fire even though I show him post after post where people successfully do it. I recently came across a post here where someone bought an aiiciio seeding mat uth, that sticks on its own like a zoomed, but heats perfectly like an insulated ultratherm. I just ordered one a few minutes ago, they come in lots of sizes similar to ultratherm and are cheaper

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Any more info on those? Where to buy, reviews, etc?

For now I just got a space heater for my room, which I'd wanted anyway since regardless of how I heat the crabitat my room's still gonna end up chilly. That's helping the crabitat by maintaining a more stable, warmer room temperature, too.

Aiicioo is the brand. They make ones that don't stick and need taped, and ones that do stick(actually seeding mats). The one I ordered I got on Amazon, it's 8x12 and sticks. Amazon and ebay sell them for sure but I haven't looked else where. The ones that don't stick come in different sizes, I wanted the long skinny one but found out it doesn't stick and I can't insulate. Hope that helps. Oh I am considering buying a thermostat to help keep the tank at a certain degree, but waiting for input on my post about it first

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[PickYerPoison]

I picked up three crabs from the pet store yesterday and they're looking a lot healthier and active than the ones in the past. They spent most of last night crawling around and exploring and one of them is still doing it today! Another is hiding away but moving around a little, and the third buried himself in the substrate. I think this can be called a success for now! I'll keep taking care of them and post more here if I have any further questions or if anything goes wrong. Thanks a ton, everyone

[GotButterflies]

Anytime


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[kieagcarm]

I picked up three crabs from the pet store yesterday and they're looking a lot healthier and active than the ones in the past. They spent most of last night crawling around and exploring and one of them is still doing it today! Another is hiding away but moving around a little, and the third buried himself in the substrate. I think this can be called a success for now! I'll keep taking care of them and post more here if I have any further questions or if anything goes wrong. Thanks a ton, everyone

So how many crabs is that now? Any pics? Did you name them yet? How big is your tank again, I forget

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[PickYerPoison]

So how many crabs is that now? Any pics? Did you name them yet? How big is your tank again, I forget

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I got three new ones, and I have two buried in the substrate (status unknown, assumed just molting). I have a 20-gallon I think?

No pics I'm afraid I didn't want to get in close and spook them while they were settling in. I've named them Skeletor, Alfredo, and Fontaine! In the subtrate already were Dino and Aiai.

Speaking of buried in the substrate, all the new crabs have done that too! I'm assuming this is a good thing based on my reading - they were probably holding off molting while in the store and are thankful to get somewhere they can do it, right? I'm going to keep maintaining my crabitat's temperature/humidity, but is it alright if I stop putting out food until I see someone surface? I don't want to keep putting it out if everyone's buried, since it'll just go to waste.

[daws409]

I'm going to keep maintaining my crabitat's temperature/humidity, but is it alright if I stop putting out food until I see someone surface? I don't want to keep putting it out if everyone's buried, since it'll just go to waste.

Yes, keep maintaining the tank! Food wise, depends on what you serve. I always change my food everyday. When they are all down (which hardly happens since I have 12), I offer less and change it every other day in case someone decides to pop up at night while we're sleeping. Hope that helps!


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[kieagcarm]

So how many crabs is that now? Any pics? Did you name them yet? How big is your tank again, I forget

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I got three new ones, and I have two buried in the substrate (status unknown, assumed just molting). I have a 20-gallon I think?

No pics I'm afraid I didn't want to get in close and spook them while they were settling in. I've named them Skeletor, Alfredo, and Fontaine! In the subtrate already were Dino and Aiai.

Speaking of buried in the substrate, all the new crabs have done that too! I'm assuming this is a good thing based on my reading - they were probably holding off molting while in the store and are thankful to get somewhere they can do it, right? I'm going to keep maintaining my crabitat's temperature/humidity, but is it alright if I stop putting out food until I see someone surface? I don't want to keep putting it out if everyone's buried, since it'll just go to waste.

No, definitely always keep some food in the tank at all times. You could put food that doesn't need changed everyday, like worm castings, leaf litter, egg shells, cuttlebone, freeze dried foods. But they always need access to food and both sw and fw.

If your tank is a 20g, definitely don't get anymore crabs. I have five in my 20g and people tell me it's over crowded.

Crabs dig under to destress, to molt and really just for fun. I thought Athena was under fit a molt bc she was down for 5 weeks without coming up once(I smoothed the sub out to be sure and never any disturbance) but when she finally emerged she had not molted and I knew because she still had no black tips out hair. I put her in the new big tank and she immediately went back down and finally molted. You never can tell what's on their little minds when they do one thing or another lol.

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