HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Can anyone help me figure out whats going on with this hermit crab. I was doing some maintenance to my tank, and I I was moving some sand around and thought I had found a empty shell. But on closer inspection I saw there was a hermit crab in it. At first I thought it was molting, but then I saw he had no legs and just looked like his body was not in good shape. Idk if its from a bad molt or whats going on. I have never seen this before. I put him in a separate container for now. Sorry if the picture isn't much help, I tried to get a good one. And he is still alive, he was moving around some.

Hi, I'm sorry your crab isn't doing well. Could you please fill out the template here so we could get an idea of your conditions? http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102

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1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? -Sand and coconut fiber mixture. 8in or so

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? -Humidity is usually around 75-78% and temperature around low to mid 80s

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? -Heat lamps during the winter

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)? -Fresh and salt water is available. I use repti-safe for all water. And for the saltwater I use instant ocean salt.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? -vegetables, fruit, protein. Fresh food daily.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? -Purple pincher. And not sure how long I have had him.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? -I think recently

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? -75 gallon tank, and screen lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? -20, and they range in sizes.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? -To many to count.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? -I do maintenance usually once a month 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.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. -I was doing some maintenance to my tank, and I was moving some sand around and thought I had found a empty shell. But on closer inspection I saw there was a hermit crab in it. At first I thought it was molting, but then I saw he had no legs and just looked like his body was not in good shape. Idk if its from a bad molt or whats going on.

HermitCrabAddicted wrote:1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? -Sand and coconut fiber mixture. 8in or so

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? -Humidity is usually around 75-78% and temperature around low to mid 80s

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? -Heat lamps during the winter

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)? -Fresh and salt water is available. I use repti-safe for all water. And for the saltwater I use instant ocean salt.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? -vegetables, fruit, protein. Fresh food daily.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? -Purple pincher. And not sure how long I have had him.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? -I think recently

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? -75 gallon tank, and screen lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? -20, and they range in sizes.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? -To many to count.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? -I do maintenance usually once a month 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.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. -I was doing some maintenance to my tank, and I was moving some sand around and thought I had found a empty shell. But on closer inspection I saw there was a hermit crab in it. At first I thought it was molting, but then I saw he had no legs and just looked like his body was not in good shape. Idk if its from a bad molt or whats going on.

Do you have other crabs ? It may be possible there was a shell fight or attack.

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I hope someone with experience can help this is really sad i hope he ends up on

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Ok*

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Yes I have other hermit crabs. And I'm not sure if there was a fight or maybe a bad molt or what. It's pretty sad seeing him trying to come out of his shell and move, but he just cant.

Can you prop him up and offer him some honey directly to his mouth parts; using a blunt tooth pick or something similar? I've heard of people saving crabs without limbs but they have to provide all food and water for the crab until the molt again. It's a difficult chore, but it has been done.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92531

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I had the exact same situation a year ago. I found a shell, thought nothing was in it, then realized it was a limbless crab! I'm not sure what happened, but he was taking quite long to come up from a molt when I found him so I'm thinking someone took advantage when he was down (haven't had any issues since or before, not sure what happened). Anyway, what I did was put him in a small little tupperware in the main tank, plastic wrap over it with holes, propped him up against a little cap of honey, PB, calcium, and one of my powdered mixes that had a ton of other nutrients in it. He ate well that way and I was able to get him water as well. He seemed to do well for a time, but sadly I was not able to pull him through and he passed. This was partially due to some fumbling on my end I believe. Anyway, I think your best bet is to set up something similar, or even put him in an ISO if you have one (I had to use the main tank because I didn't have an ISO at the time with the conditions needed). I hope the little guy pulls through--I'm rooting for him!

Currently he is in a ISO tank. I will try working with him the best I can. Hopefully he will pull through.

To anyone that was wondering, so far he is still alive. I have been getting him some food and water. I'm hoping he will pull through

Kudos for keeping him alive this long.

Keep offering him a variety of high energy, high protein foods and maybe he'll molt for you and regrow those limbs. He needs all he can eat of honey, organic peanut butter, eggs and egg shells, banana, coconut, etc. Think variety and nutrient dense.

Good luck!

To anyone wondering, the little guy did finally molt, but sadly he passed away last night. He was still in the molting process, and had just eaten the molt. Thanks to those who helped out.

Sorry to hear that!


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