brand new crab...dead or alive?
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 8:09 pm
I literally brought crabs home less than 4 hours ago. I am worried one is dead. Any help appreciated! These are my first 2 since I was a kid.
> 1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Sand and eco earth - about 7 inches (slightly less under pools)
>
> 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. Acurite home thermometer/hydrometer on side of tank. humidity was 84% and temp was 81 when I put them in.
>
> 3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? UTH - Flukers
>
> 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)? Yes, it is treated. I use Aqueon Water Conditioner (2 drops per 1 gallon of well water) and Instant Ocean (1/2 c per gallon tap water w/ conditioner)
>
> 5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? They have dehydrated Carrots, coconut, dandelion, freeze dried bloodworms, sundried shrimp, worm castings, egg shell, raw albumin.
>
> 6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? Purple pincher I believe. Got them today.
>
> 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? 10 gallon aquarium, plastic/screen lid.
>
> 9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2. Small maybe? Shells have about 1 inch opening.
>
> 10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 8 maybe
>
> 11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? Not in my tank
>
> 12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Hasn't been an issue. Initially cleaned with vinegar/water and rinsed well.
>
> 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
>
> 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.)? Took hermies home in wire hotel with sand, 2 sponges, shell with water and carrots.
>
> 16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. 1 crab seems stressed. I bathed them when I got home and he was active in the water. Now he will come a little or of his shell and not move unless I walk by and then he retreats into his shell. I hope he will destress and be ok. I covered the tank with a towel to give him quiet and later peeked from the top. He was sitting in the food dish!
The other was half out of the shell when I got home and I don't think he reacted to the water. I brushed his leg when adding food to the tank and there was no retreat or movement. Even after the towel it doesn't appear he has moved. Is this pps or is he dead?
>l
i am hopeful for the first crab but very worried for the second. Thanks for any help.
> 1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Sand and eco earth - about 7 inches (slightly less under pools)
>
> 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. Acurite home thermometer/hydrometer on side of tank. humidity was 84% and temp was 81 when I put them in.
>
> 3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? UTH - Flukers
>
> 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)? Yes, it is treated. I use Aqueon Water Conditioner (2 drops per 1 gallon of well water) and Instant Ocean (1/2 c per gallon tap water w/ conditioner)
>
> 5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? They have dehydrated Carrots, coconut, dandelion, freeze dried bloodworms, sundried shrimp, worm castings, egg shell, raw albumin.
>
> 6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? Purple pincher I believe. Got them today.
>
> 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? 10 gallon aquarium, plastic/screen lid.
>
> 9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2. Small maybe? Shells have about 1 inch opening.
>
> 10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 8 maybe
>
> 11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? Not in my tank
>
> 12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Hasn't been an issue. Initially cleaned with vinegar/water and rinsed well.
>
> 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
>
> 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.)? Took hermies home in wire hotel with sand, 2 sponges, shell with water and carrots.
>
> 16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. 1 crab seems stressed. I bathed them when I got home and he was active in the water. Now he will come a little or of his shell and not move unless I walk by and then he retreats into his shell. I hope he will destress and be ok. I covered the tank with a towel to give him quiet and later peeked from the top. He was sitting in the food dish!
The other was half out of the shell when I got home and I don't think he reacted to the water. I brushed his leg when adding food to the tank and there was no retreat or movement. Even after the towel it doesn't appear he has moved. Is this pps or is he dead?
>l
i am hopeful for the first crab but very worried for the second. Thanks for any help.