HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I woke up this morning to one of my tiny PPs naked in the fresh water dish, perched on a rock. He was totally alert, his little antennas waving when I opened the tank. I carefully tried to pick him up to rinse him off in a bath and get him into his shell when he started to climb up my arm! I picked him up again and he was climbing all over my hand. Finally, I managed to get him in the bath and he started to climb over the shells, checking out each one. I left him in there for a few minutes and he finally chose a green turbo that was slightly smaller than his original shell. I put him in the ISO and he scooted off under the hide, full of energy. Why do you think he dropped his shell? Should I just put him back in the original tank when I get home, because he's acting totally normal? Thanks!


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Can you please fill out the Emergency help form located at the top of this thread

It's hard to say why. Maybe his shell became stuck somewhere? If he was underground, maybe a tunnel collapse and it was easier to dig out without it? Another crab took it? Something in the shell was bothering him? It could have been so many things. Did you find his old shell? If he was underground, double check substrate consistency.

If he's still in the new shell and acting normal I would go ahead and move him back to the main tank. Keep a close eye on him for a while just in case.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Playsand and EE mix, EE is made with de chlorinated fresh water. Only have about 5 in in the tank at the moment, but will be adding more in the next few days.

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. In the center, 80 degrees and 80% humidity
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Three UTH's, one on either side and a small one on the back of the 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 fresh and salt, fresh mixed with aquarium dechlorinator and salt mixed with aquarium dechlorinator and Instant a Ocean salt.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Lots of different fresh foods including various nuts (unsalted), fresh fruits, veggies, sunflower and pumpkin seeds (unsalted and organic), honey, peanuts (unsalted) and all natural peanut butter. I also use various dried foods including dried chicken, dried mealies, several food mixes from the Hermit Crab Patch (surf-n-turf, standard diet, crabnola, and vitamin supplements), and dried fruits.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About 6 weeks, PP

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Not yet, spend a few days destressing after arrival home.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
40 gallon breeder aquarium, glass lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
6 purple pinchers, one large, two mediums, and three small/tinys

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Usually about 6-7 shells per crab at any given time

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Daily spot cleaning, deep clean every year or so
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
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Described above


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Callalily- I found the shell floating in the water near the crab.


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He's so new I wonder if it's stress related. Feel around inside the old shell to see if there's anything stuck in there or sharp.

Will do. He picked a new shell, so I'm wondering if there was actually something wrong with the old one. And yes, I agree it could be PPS related.


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