HCA: Hermit Crab Association

This isn't really an emergency, but I wasn't sure where else to put this...

I've posted a lot today and that's because I've been working on setting up a tub for my hermies. I got everything all set up, went to get them from their old tank... Only 1 was alive. The other 3 were in their hides and when I lifted them... They were all dead. One was all dried up and half out of his shell and one was curled inside it, all moldy...

Obviously they had been dead a while but with such a big tank (150 gallon) and so many places to hide, I hadn't noticed. I've been feeding them and stuff. I smelled NOTHING so I figured everything was okay and they were just hiding. I don't go actively searching for and bothering my crabs unless I feel like something is off. But there were no signs. No smell, nothing...

I'm not exactly sure what happened but when I went to check my thermometer/hygrometer I realized it was broken. I don't know if the temps/humidity were out of whack or what...

The lone survivor is in his new tub. He looks perfectly fine. He's moving and curling back into his shell and his colour is really good. I don't want him to be alone. I might pick up 2 baby crabs tomorrow from Petsmart so he has some buddies...

I just wish I knew what happened.

I'm so sorry!

You may want to wait a bit to get friends for your survivor. Make sure you have your new crabitat set up correctly and have everything the way you want it before getting buddies. They tend to want to dig down to destress or molt when you first get them and that makes it a lot harder to adjust your 'tat.

Please fill out this template (answer the questions for your new crabitat) and we can help you make sure everything is set up correctly.

viewtopic.php?t=46102

Again, sorry for your losses.

Okay, this is the info for my new tote crabitat. Not the old one these guys were in. It's all shut down.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
A mix of play sand and EE. 8 inches deep.

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?
A thermometer/hygrometer. Gauge is near the front of the tank, only an inch above the surface so I can read down where the crabs are. Temp reads 75-76 and humidity is way high at 99%. But I just set it up yesterday and I know it takes a little bit to adjust. I'm probably going to put a few more holes in the lid when I get home from work today. It won't be too hard to fix the humidity in a tote.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
UTH mounted on the side. It's a crappy Zoomed one, but it's all I have. Sadly, no extra money for another heat pad so this is what I've got to work with. It's rated for a 20-30 gallon tank and is insulated with thick tinfoil.

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. Fresh water is treated with stuff that treats ammonia, heavy metals and chlorine/chloramine. Salt water is mixed with Instant Ocean and water is also treated. I mix both in 1 gallon jugs and just refill as necessary.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Everything I feed is from the safe food list. All freeze dried/powder food is replaced every few days and fresh stuff every day.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
They were all pp's. The one survivor is a large pp.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
He was down for months (4-5) and just came up very recently. His colour and everything looks good.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Kept in a 30 gallon tote with a locking lid. Holes are drilled into the lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
1 and it's a large

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Loads. 20+

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
This is a brand new tank so it hasn't been cleaned.

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?
Everything was just added but was thoroughly cleaned before doing so. The only things in there besides sub are tupperwear containers and some plants.

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, bathing or handling unless moving crabs.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
As stated above, I had a 150 gallon tank with 4 crabs. I went to move them all into the new tote and found them all dead except for one. One crab was all dried up and hanging out of his shell, one was curled into his shell normally but had a bit of mold on him... Obviously they had been dead a long time but had been hiding in the huge tank so I hadn't noticed. There was no smell or anything that would scream 'death' at me. Even after I found them, there was no smell...

I have no idea how they died. When I found them, I realized my thermometer was broken so their temps could have been out of whack and I hadn't noticed. I'm betting that's why. It must have gotten too hot or cold.

The survivor looks healthy. I just want to make sure everything is okay before I go get him one or two buddies to live with him.

Was your substrate mixed with treated water to make it sandcastle consistency?

If you mist your tub, be sure to use fresh/treated water so you don't get extra salt build up.

Everything looks perfect to me for your new setup. Go get some friends!

I read another one of your posts about adding levels to your tub when your able. That sounds good to give them more stuff to climb on.

Again, sorry for your losses. Sounds like your care is great so maybe it was the heat/humidity issue.

Yep, perfect sandcastle consistency

I have added the levels. I built a jungle gym thing out of Tupperware containers and those grass mat things. The pools are nice and deep with a way to climb in and out. I'll post some pics later!

I'm so very sorry for your loss. It wasn't that long ago that I went to move my E tank and discovered all but one had died, so I know all too well what you're feeling. Hugs!

With the gauges broken it may very well have been a temp/humidity issue. How long did you have the crabs that passed and had they molted with you? What sorts of foods were you feeding? I'm wondering mostly about protein and calcium sources and how often they were available. We might not ever pinpoint a cause though.

I had them since Jan. They all molted with me. Foods... Geez, they get so many different kinds. I always keep peanuts/shells in there. They loved munching on them. I'd find peanuts all over the place lol. I keep apples, bananas, coconut and husks, so many different fruits in the freezer for them. Whenever we have veggies for dinner they get some. Usually carrots, spinach etc. Organic honey. But also have a hunch of dried/dehydrated stuff. Goji berries, bee pollen, coconut, apples, tomatoes, seaweed... they get so much that I can't even remember lol. I've got powdered fish mixes and garden mixes from a hermit crab store. Lots of stuff.

I actually just had a bill go through so I can't pick anymore up right now Will he be okay by himself for a while?

So peanuts and fish mixes are the main protein sources? Calcium? I know there is a little in some veggies but are there other sources? The rest of the food sounds great! I would maybe try rotating in more protein and calcium sources if you can. I'm not saying this is the cause but providing more options won't hurt.

He should be ok for a while alone, especially with it being a temporary situation.

What else can I give him for calcium/protein? I gave them a cuttlebone before and none of them would touch it. I've tried organic peanut butter but they didn't like that, or unseasoned cooked chicken...

Good news though... My crab is loving his bin. He's being really active and eating up a storm. Went to change out his food and found peanuts and bee pollen everywhere, lol. He's just been chilling in his hide. I'm really hoping I can get him 2 friends soon!

Just about any unseasoned meat, fish, poultry. Eggs. You can find things like freeze dried krill, shrimp, bloodworms, crickets, mealworms in the fish and reptile section in most pet stores. Or check out their freezer section for frozen bloodworms, silversides, etc.
Other than cuttlebone for calcium: eggshells, crushed oyster shells (bird section of stores), coral, calcium powders found in the reptile section.

I'm glad to hear he's so active!