surface molt or dead/ dying? dying update lost claw

staticfurball · Post by **staticfurball** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:08 pm

I have 3 hermit crabs for about a year now and this is the first time something like this has happened so I'm kinda freaking out. One of my hermit crabs was buried for a while so I assumed it was molting but then he came back up for a a few weeks and yesterday morning I found it out of its shell in the corner of the tank and it was pretty lethargic. i remove it and isolated it in a small Tupperware with breathing holes and some food and new shells. I tried to gently place it in a larger shell so it can go back in easier as I read on some forums but it wouldn't go back in, just kinda lay there all limp like. this morning It wasn't moving so I thought I killed it and left it where i found it and went to work. when i got home i checked it in case it wasn't dead but ten it looked all fallen apart! I panicked and picked it up to examine but i cant tell whats happening. the eyes look hollow though and so I left it alone for a few hours. I just peeked at it and it looks a bit twitchy! now I'm freaking out because what if i just injured it what if it was just molting? can it regrow parts if i damaged it while checking it? how long should I wait to see if its dead and how can i tell, because i figured when the look like they are falling apart they are dead but now it seems not. ok so this is a bit of a long post but I'm confused and don't want to accidentally kill my hermmie ...

StarWarsHermitCrab · Post by **StarWarsHermitCrab** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:31 pm

Could you take a picture of your hermit crab and post it?

staticfurball · Post by **staticfurball** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:36 pm

I wish I could , its in a container kinda facing away and I'd have to shift it to get a pic and I'm scared to hurt it if it's injured. it still kinda twitch but i have to look real close to see it move. its eyes are clear though....
if it does live I really hope i don't have to see surface molds for a long time

StarWarsHermitCrab · Post by **StarWarsHermitCrab** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:41 pm

Your hermit crab is probably molting, but I'm no expert.
I will try to get you some more help.

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:04 pm

Hi there! Your crab does sound like its molting. It needs to be left in a dark, peaceful area in ideal conditions. Dont move him, just keep his area dark. Keep good shells near him. Where was his usual shell?
Please paste and answer the Help Request Template: viewtopic.php?t=46102

Crabbers unite!!!

megmaholm · Post by **megmaholm** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:08 pm

staticfurball wrote:I have 3 hermit crabs for about a year now and this is the first time something like this has happened so I'm kinda freaking out. One of my hermit crabs was buried for a while so I assumed it was molting but then he came back up for a a few weeks and yesterday morning I found it out of its shell in the corner of the tank and it was pretty lethargic. i remove it and isolated it in a small Tupperware with breathing holes and some food and new shells. I tried to gently place it in a larger shell so it can go back in easier as I read on some forums but it wouldn't go back in, just kinda lay there all limp like. this morning It wasn't moving so I thought I killed it and left it where i found it and went to work. when i got home i checked it in case it wasn't dead but ten it looked all fallen apart! I panicked and picked it up to examine but i cant tell whats happening. the eyes look hollow though and so I left it alone for a few hours. I just peeked at it and it looks a bit twitchy! now I'm freaking out because what if i just injured it what if it was just molting? can it regrow parts if i damaged it while checking it? how long should I wait to see if its dead and how can i tell, because i figured when the look like they are falling apart they are dead but now it seems not. ok so this is a bit of a long post but I'm confused and don't want to accidentally kill my hermmie ...

Hi and welcome! I agree with the others, it sounds like he's molting. Definitely fill out the help template (http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102). Do you know if he's molted with you before?

If he has passed away, he'll smell like dead fish, so unless you smell that don't panic! For now, just give him peace and quiet (and darkness).

staticfurball · Post by **staticfurball** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:12 pm

it's usual shell was discarded a few about 10 inches away. he was on top of another smaller crab in the corner of the tank but barely moving when I first noticed him. when I first placed it in a container I was a bit panicky and not sure what to do so it's in there with a damp paper towel, should I add sand to the container for it? No it's never molted befor and Ive had it for about a year now.

staticfurball · Post by **staticfurball** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:37 pm

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? for now sand, just bought the bricks of terrarium soil and was gonna change the tank this week ..untill this happened. It is about 4inches deep cause my crabs are all pretty tiny.

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? the humidity is at about 70 and so is the heat

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? heating pad is kept on the opposite side of the tank from the water.

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)? I use bottled spring water for fresh and the same for the salt except I add the drops of a solution from the pet store to make it salt water .

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? replaced everyday, I give them lettuce, strawberries green beans pineapple apple carrot coconut eggshells peanut butter unsalted nuts green red and yellow peppers, sometimes raw shrimp or leftover raw fish from dinner. I alternate all of these so its a new mix pretty much everyday

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? about a year, purple pincher

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? as far as i can tell this one hasn't since i have it

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 30 gallon
screen lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 3 one tiny one slightly larger that that and the largest fits into a 7/8 inch shell

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 9-12 various sizes

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? I sift out debris and excrement and look for buried food. i clean the water every 2 days and change the food every day

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? a spiderplant in the upper corner and a philodendron or golden pathos (cant tell both plants look the 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.)? this is the medium sized crab and usually the least shy when i take them out. it comes out of its shell soon after I handle it.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

megmaholm · Post by **megmaholm** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:56 pm

Thanks for filling that out! A few things - even though your crabs are small, the minimum recommended substrate depth is 6". Is it a good sandcastle/tunneling consistency?

Your temp is pretty low - the recommended temp for any crab is 80 degrees. Low temps can cause sluggishness, and even death. Try to get it bumped up if you can

The saltwater mix you're using is probably for hermit crabs, right? If so it's unfortunately pretty useless. They need a marine saltwater mix like Instant Ocean. A box that makes 10 gallons is under $10 and will last a long time. It's necessary to provide all kinds of good minerals, etc.

As far as your crab, I would try to at least rest his bum in a shell and then be hands-off until you know what's going on. Keep us updated on any changes.

staticfurball · Post by **staticfurball** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:07 pm

ok, thanks,I will do my best to make the changes. How can I increase the heating the tank without adding another heating pad? Should I add sand or moss or something to the container for it just in case? is it a usual occurrence for them to surface molt, once i increase the sand and fix some of the other things recommended this should not happen very often right?

StarWarsHermitCrab · Post by **StarWarsHermitCrab** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:40 pm

What, Spring water?
you should be using distilled water, or at least a dechlorinator.

staticfurball · Post by **staticfurball** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:49 pm

I use spring water because it is chlorine free and is filtered for impurities and bacteria but distilled water is boiled for so long that there is nothing left to , no minerals that naturally occur in the water we drink. bottled spring water has no chemicals in and should be safe so that's what I use. I definitely wont chance regular tap water though, there always seems to be problems with city water.
i would still like to know if I should add something to the container or leave it on the damp paper towel. Maybe sand or moss? I'm afraid that it might get cold because it's not buried.

StarWarsHermitCrab · Post by **StarWarsHermitCrab** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 4:28 pm

You should put a lid on the container and put it in your enclosure.
And putting sand or moss in the container is fine.

staticfurball · Post by **staticfurball** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 4:37 pm

thanks everyone I will cover the little guy(girl? not sure) and I guess wait a few days and update. keeping my fingers crossed

Andee · Post by **Andee** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 8:29 pm

Good luck Staticfurball... I think we all know how scary something like this can be, but sadly there is only so much you can do, hermits when they reach a certain point... have to decide what they want to do themselves. We can only intervene so much .___. But I wish you the best of luck and know you will worry no matter what, just like a good hermie parent

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

surface molt or dead/ dying? dying update lost claw

surface molt or dead/ dying? dying update lost claw

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