HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Help I have 4 hermit crabs that have been really active and healthy. The past couple of weeks I noticed they weren't being themselves. They have been hiding, not moving, not eating. The temp is between 70- 80 and the humidity is between 70-85. I have sand from the beach and a salt water dish of ocean water from the beach. Now I just recently bought a heater and placed it on one side of the tank and I noticed they hang right in that area. I spray it down like 3x a day to keep it moist and humid. And I also have a plastic cover with holes over top for the lid. My one has these large brown strips inside of his shell and he's also in a painted shell that he came with from the pet store. I have tried everything to get Him to switch but no luck. My other Hermie is a small one and its in a huge shell what is going on? Can someone please help me. I don't want to lose my shell babies I did just recently clean out there tank and notices one of the water dishes had a hole in it that made the bottom of the sand soaked. Can that be the issue? I have them in a fresh clean tank with new sand I hope they are OK.

So they hang around the heater, where exactly is the temperature gauge located? If it's close the the heater, maybe move it further away and record the temperature?
As for the soaked sand, is the sand still sandcastle consistency? (Aka; you can make a sandcastle with it.) And if possible, if you were to make a hole to the bottom, does the hole eventually fill up with water?

Could you also fill out this template: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 27&t=46102

(Hermit crabs can be fussy, as long as you give the hermit crab with the painted shell choices all you can do is wait until he changes. As for the smaller crab, sometimes they like to upgrade a few sizes... Makes good growing room IMO.)

That is a really good point! The gauge is right up top of the heater.. It was set in the middle so they had the sides to get cool. I will be making big adjustments on that. The sand was really soaked at the bottom and I didn't notice it because I have like 6/in of water in there but I cleaned it out and put new sand in there. I'm really worried about the brown strips inside my painted shell Hermie. Its never been there until I got this heater.

Could you post a pic of the shell? Image sharing sites like photobucket can help, upload and then copy the link here.

thanks dude!!!

honestly do not over stress the stripes because you cant force him out of that shell. find as many with the same opening and in a similar size to help get him to leave it. offering honey, protein and calcium will help alot if they are sick or to bulk up to hopefully molt and need a bigger shell. always place your gauges near the colder side of the tank so you have an idea of what it is at in the coldest zone. they do better in much much warmer conditions as well.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 7&t=113047

if you didnt find filling out the template as well.

The brown stripes are probably the type of shell that your hermit crab has. It is possible that the paint from the shell is coming off, either due to the crab picking at it, or it possibly falling off. Please fill out the template so that we can help you further.

Edit-or the paint possibly falling off.
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Also, just wanted to add - periods of greater and lesser activity can be normal for hermies. Their behaviour can be linked to their molt cycles, and they will often be less active before a molt.

But definately fill out the template! It gives everyone a clear idea of what's goin' on in your crabitat!!

GotButterflies wrote:The brown stripes are probably the type of shell that your hermit crab has. It is possible that the paint from the shell is coming off, either due to the crab picking at it, or it possibly falling off. Please fill out the template so that we can help you further.

Edit-or the paint possibly falling off.
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i think she mentioned the stripes being on the inside and not seeing them before the heater was in.

hopefully she is filling out the template so we will know better

Pictures of the stripes inside of the shell would definitely be helpful along with the emergency template:) We are all here to help you Mandiezxx2 and ur crab babies!!


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I don't know how to post a pic lol I'm computer illiterate..

Mandiezxx2 wrote:I don't know how to post a pic lol I'm computer illiterate..

how about the template tho? i posted the link.

Mandiezxx2 wrote:I don't know how to post a pic lol I'm computer illiterate..

Do you have an image sharing account like photobucket?

This may help:
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... =8&t=87783

As someone who lives near a beach, I highly suggest you stop using sand and sea water. Sand is usually trucked in and can contain some nasty chemicals (I've had family break out in mysterious rashes because of this). Even when it's not you never know what animal may have urinated or defecated on the sand. Ocean water is horribly polluted, I recommend using bottled water. You can get play sand safe for children's sandboxes that the crabs could use usually at Lowes or Home Depot. Make sure you get the Play Sand.

As for shells, try giving then turban snail shells. That is what they like in the wild.