I don't know what to do!

[beastyhylian]

Hey all, I'm a new member here. I'm doing some crab-sitting for my girlfriend, who has had three hermit crabs for a few weeks now. I have them at my house since she's at the beach for a week. One of the little guys, named Crusty, is the problem. He has been, since last Wednesday, (I've had him since Saturday) been losing legs and his claws. I have been extremely worried about the poor little guy, and I'm fairly certain he's done for. He has lost all of his legs now, and has been totally unresponsive to anything as of yesterday evening when he had two legs. Before the evening yesterday I was hoping I could save him and i was helping him walk around and get to food and water as he would still drink and eat. Since then, he hasn't even moved his feelers or other antennae at all. I currently have him in a little iso tank (like the ones from the beach) with 3 inches of sand in it. He has not moved at all today or yesterday, since I think he was too weak to hold himself. I am not sure whether he is dead or if there is such a thing as like a panic life saving molt or not. He's about a half inch out of his shell with his eyes all the way up like he would be normally, he just isn't moving. I don't want the other two crabs, who are fine, to contract any symptoms or stress if possible. Does anyone out there think Crusty can be helped? I'm super worried about the little guy, but I think it's probably his time to go to the great crabitat in the sky. Any advice or suggestions on what I should do in this situation? He doesn't really smell bad or anything, which is part of the confusion I'm having. Thanks for the help, everyone!

[soilentgringa]

Hi! Would you mind filling out these questions?

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102

Answering these can help determine whether your crab has PPS or if there is more going on.

Here is the link to our care guide as well:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92457

[beastyhylian]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Play sand, about 6 inches
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 temperature gauge, no hygrometer but I mist every 2-3 hours. Temp is around 80F
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I have it in front of a window, plan on installing a UTH
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)?
There is salt water and fresh water available. I use Zoo-Med
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I use the kind that came with the crabs, every 2 days (it did not appear to have anything harmful in it)
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Two weeks, Purple pincher
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 glass tank, makeshift solid cover
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3, one the size of dime, two are about twice his size (sick one is a bigger one)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
3
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I have yet to as it is a new setup
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.)?
Crusty has no legs now, I played with all crabs regularly. They have not been bathed outside the tank.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I did so in the post above

[beastyhylian]

Update: I am now about 99% sure he is dead, as there is a rancid smell coming from his isolation tank. However, I would still appreciate advice on how I can improve my crabitat for the other hermies. Thank you!

[MsWorld]

1. Substrate is good

2. You really need to get a hygrometer as they need humidity at 80%

3. The UTH needs to be placed on the side of the tank not the bottom. Also look into getting lights if you have heat issues. Being in the window is not good.

4. The zoo Med fresh & salt water do not have the necessary stuff that the crabs require. There is a list of the appropriate fresh and salt water options you can choose from.

5. The food for hermit crabs is not good for them. They need food without preservatives. Organic is the best. Again there is an extensive list on here you can look through.



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[MsWorld]

6. Okay

7. Okay

8. If you plan on having more than 3 crabs you might want to get a bigger tank as they grow fast and there's a lot they need. Food, fresh and salt water, hiding huts, climbing things, moss pit, shells, etc. etc. etc.

9. Okay

10. They need 3-5 shells per crab. Especially if they are the same size. So there's no shell fights.

11. Okay

12. Okay

13. That's good. Sponges only create bacteria.

14. Okay



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[MsWorld]

15. Crabs go through a lot to get here and they have stress. The best thing for them is to leave them alone to unwind and de stress.

There are care guides on here for food, water, shells, crabitats, etc. basically everything you need to know. The best thing you can do is to take the time to read through them. Good luck.


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[beastyhylian]

Thanks for your help! What is the benefit of installing the UTH on the side of the tank? I never understood that. Also, what's the best way to regulate humidity? I know a hygrometer measures it, but how can i alter it?

[mool]

Crabs need the air heated, not the substrate. The substrate is so think that very little heat will penetrate through it to heat the air. Also you risk "cooking" them if they decide to molt up against a heater.

[MsWorld]

Thanks for your help! What is the benefit of installing the UTH on the side of the tank? I never understood that. Also, what's the best way to regulate humidity? I know a hygrometer measures it, but how can i alter it?

If you put the UTH on the bottom you could "cook" your crabs accidentally when they go down to molt. Besides your substrate being so thick you wouldn't get any heat to the inside of the tank.

As far as the humidity goes you can do a few things:

a) mist the tank a few times a day with dechlorinated fresh water, NOT salt water.

b) get / make a moss pit but you will have to mist it daily. 99% of my crabs all huddle together and sleep in the moss pit. It's cute to see 11 crabs together and the moss pit leaning to the side!

c) you could get a humidifier. The one that was recommended to me was repti fogger and I love it. I've got 2 but that's for 2 tanks (main tank & ISO tank)

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have anymore questions.


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[beastyhylian]

Thanks for your help! What is the benefit of installing the UTH on the side of the tank? I never understood that. Also, what's the best way to regulate humidity? I know a hygrometer measures it, but how can i alter it?

If you put the UTH on the bottom you could "cook" your crabs accidentally when they go down to molt. Besides your substrate being so thick you wouldn't get any heat to the inside of the tank.

As far as the humidity goes you can do a few things:

a) mist the tank a few times a day with dechlorinated fresh water, NOT salt water.

b) get / make a moss pit but you will have to mist it daily. 99% of my crabs all huddle together and sleep in the moss pit. It's cute to see 11 crabs together and the moss pit leaning to the side!

c) you could get a humidifier. The one that was recommended to me was repti fogger and I love it. I've got 2 but that's for 2 tanks (main tank & ISO tank)

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have anymore questions.

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Hey! Alright, I can understand that. Next questions are some recommendations.
1) How many crabs of what size would you recommend I have in my 10 gal?

2) Is there a certain type of moss I need to use? I know they sell some at Joann Fabrics but I don't know if that would work or how to prepare it to be put in the crabitat.

3) Do you think I could handle taking care of strawberries yet? I think they're so adorable and I'd love to have some but I hear they are quite sensitive.

Thanks in advance!

[mool]

1. I'm not sure of the stocking level for a 10 gallon tank but I think you would be okay with 2-3 small crabs. I keep a pair of XL crabs in a 55 gallon. They were alone for a long time, but now I have two medium sized rescues in with them. The tank is full, in my opinion.

2. People use all sorts of moss: beaked, sphagnum, Hiawatha, Spanish, etc. Use caution when buying it from a craft store as it is often sprayed with pesticides and dyes, which are toxic to crabs. I buy organic moss for orchids from Home Depot. It's not as "pretty" as reptile moss in pet stores, but it's a lot cheaper and it isn't dyed.

3. Not yet. Get and keep everything perfect, with no unexplained deaths for a good six months first. They need a large aquarium and perfect conditions. I've been keeping crabs for 8 years and don't yet feel qualified to own Straws...

[MsWorld]

1) it's hard to recommend what size. I got 5 small/tiny and after their first molt they were double the size. Like I said before once you put everything in a 10 gallon that you need it makes it tight unless you plan on having levels which would be hard with 6-7 inches of substrate. I wouldn't get anymore than 3. I think it's 3-5 gallons per crab is what you want.

2) as far as moss do not use the moss from fabric or craft stores. Like mool said they are dyed with colors and chemicals. I get a huge bag of reptile moss for $4.99 at PetSmart.

3) I agree with mool 2000% on straws. I'm not ready yet myself and I've got a 65 gallon with 3 levels and great conditions. Again totally agree with mool get your tat going with perfect conditions and no deaths I say a year but maybe someone with straws can chime in and give their opinion.


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[marandashermies]

Thanks for your help! What is the benefit of installing the UTH on the side of the tank? I never understood that. Also, what's the best way to regulate humidity? I know a hygrometer measures it, but how can i alter it?

If you put the UTH on the bottom you could "cook" your crabs accidentally when they go down to molt. Besides your substrate being so thick you wouldn't get any heat to the inside of the tank.

As far as the humidity goes you can do a few things:

a) mist the tank a few times a day with dechlorinated fresh water, NOT salt water.

b) get / make a moss pit but you will have to mist it daily. 99% of my crabs all huddle together and sleep in the moss pit. It's cute to see 11 crabs together and the moss pit leaning to the side!

c) you could get a humidifier. The one that was recommended to me was repti fogger and I love it. I've got 2 but that's for 2 tanks (main tank & ISO tank)

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have anymore questions.

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Hey! Alright, I can understand that. Next questions are some recommendations.
1) How many crabs of what size would you recommend I have in my 10 gal?

2) Is there a certain type of moss I need to use? I know they sell some at Joann Fabrics but I don't know if that would work or how to prepare it to be put in the crabitat.

3) Do you think I could handle taking care of strawberries yet? I think they're so adorable and I'd love to have some but I hear they are quite sensitive.

Thanks in advance!

I own Strawberries and I would NOT recommend you get them. Mine are housed in a 125g tank, they need a lot of room to roam. They are very sensitive to heat and humidity - so you would need a larger tank with a constant temp and humidity. No fluctuations. They also are swimmers, so you would need large pools with bubblers or filters. They are not as hardy as PP's and if you are having issues with the PP's I would at no cost add straws.

[KayedeeLove<3]

Thanks for your help! What is the benefit of installing the UTH on the side of the tank? I never understood that. Also, what's the best way to regulate humidity? I know a hygrometer measures it, but how can i alter it?

If you put the UTH on the bottom you could "cook" your crabs accidentally when they go down to molt. Besides your substrate being so thick you wouldn't get any heat to the inside of the tank.

As far as the humidity goes you can do a few things:

a) mist the tank a few times a day with dechlorinated fresh water, NOT salt water.

b) get / make a moss pit but you will have to mist it daily. 99% of my crabs all huddle together and sleep in the moss pit. It's cute to see 11 crabs together and the moss pit leaning to the side!

c) you could get a humidifier. The one that was recommended to me was repti fogger and I love it. I've got 2 but that's for 2 tanks (main tank & ISO tank)

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have anymore questions.

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Hey! Alright, I can understand that. Next questions are some recommendations.
1) How many crabs of what size would you recommend I have in my 10 gal?

2) Is there a certain type of moss I need to use? I know they sell some at Joann Fabrics but I don't know if that would work or how to prepare it to be put in the crabitat.

3) Do you think I could handle taking care of strawberries yet? I think they're so adorable and I'd love to have some but I hear they are quite sensitive.

Thanks in advance!

Id hold off on the straws because they require a ton more than a 10 gal could provide. 12 in of sub big deep sale water pools etc... Also, even with veteran crabbers they are the shortest lived captive kept hermit crab species!

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