Help ! Molting ?

[Jennycat]

Hi there !
I am a total hermit crab newbie !
My son really wanted these crabs but I have to admit I have become The sole provider and mesmerized by them lol. I have been making sure to keep humidity just right and providing the right waters etc .

Our one larger crab was in the main part of our tank (not hidden ) I picked him up to check on him and he fell out . Or at least I thought he fell out I think he might have malted ? I was alarmed at first but now I don't know what to do. Have I hurt or disturbed him ? What should I do ? I noticed what looks like his claw in the skeleton is that normal?
?

[Jennycat]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Coconut fiber


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? 80 and 80

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Small heater attached to side and red bulb

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 we use both water types

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Commercial foods and an assortment of fresh foods daily . Apples , hibiscus , cutle bone, carrots

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 4 weeks purple claw

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

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10gal tank mesh lid with plastic over half for humidity

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? There are currently 3 2 fairly large and one smaller

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 8

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? I haven't yet

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? Yes -boil in water every other day

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.)? I dig the crabs up yesterday to check on them . The one then sat under a branch that is in the middle of the tank (still
Visible ) I moved him tonight and hie body (or maybe just his exoskeleton ) fell out . I believe I might have saw him still inside but didn't want to bother him too much . I sat him back where I found him and left the exoskeleton beside him .

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. The info noted above . And in first post .

[KayedeeLove<3]

Filing out the emergency template you posted will help us narrow down issues.

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[Jennycat]

I filled it in

[Hermiearth]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Coconut fiber

H: How deep?

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? 80 and 80

H: I would calibrate your hydrometer to be safe. 80% is the min.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Small heater attached to side and red bulb

H: Heat lamps zap humidity. You would be safer buying a heat mat and putting it over the sub on the back of 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)? Yes we use both water types

H: What declaring actor and salt mix brands do you use?

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Commercial foods and an assortment of fresh foods daily . Apples , hibiscus , cutle bone, carrots

H: Toss the commercial food, it's actually awful for the crabs. You should definitely provide more proteins like dead insects and meats.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 4 weeks purple claw

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

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10gal tank mesh lid with plastic over half for humidity

H: A glass tank would be better for humidity.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? There are currently 3 2 fairly large and one smaller

H: Your a bit overcrowded. I recommend upgrading to minimize aggression between crabs.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 8

H: 3 extra per crab. Check the shell guide to make sure you have the proper shells

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? I haven't yet

H: Just spot clean as needed.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? Yes -boil in water every other day

H: Sponges are not actually necessary. Make sure you bowls are deep enough for your crabs to fully submerge but make sure you have a way out for the smaller crab.

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.)? I dig the crabs up yesterday to check on them . The one then sat under a branch that is in the middle of the tank (still
Visible ) I moved him tonight and hie body (or maybe just his exoskeleton ) fell out . I believe I might have saw him still inside but didn't want to bother him too much . I sat him back where I found him and left the exoskeleton beside him .

H: Never ever dig up a crab! They were probably de-stressing after the long journey to the pet store.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. The info noted above . And in first post .

H: You need to ISO the crab. Put a 2 liter soda bottle cut in half over him with the cap off to regulate air exchange. Offer foods high in calcium and protein.


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[Jennycat]

Thank you for the replies . This is what fell when I picked him up . Is it safe to pick up his shell to makes sure he is in there ?




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[Hermiearth]

I wouldn't. If he fell out before it's definitely not a good sign. If he is molting- it is not normal for a crab and is very hard on them.


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[Hermiearth]

Oh wait


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[Hermiearth]

You can pick up the shell. But I'm not sure that's an exo


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[Jennycat]

I picked it up ..I'm sure something is in there


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[Hermiearth]

Is he always tucked in like that? If there a crab in there you need to ISO him with the soda bottle model method I mentioned. The other crabs will eat a freshly molted crab.


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[Jennycat]

Is he always tucked in like that? If there a crab in there you need to ISO him with the soda bottle model method I mentioned. The other crabs will eat a freshly molted crab.


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[Jennycat]

He isn't usually that small but could he be after molting ? I already put the bottle in . Would I also need to put in water somehow ? And for high calcium do you have suggestions ?


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[Hermiearth]

He isn't usually that small but could he be after molting ? I already put the bottle in . Would I also need to put in water somehow ? And for high calcium do you have suggestions ?


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Depends what size he was to begin with. Can you see a crab in there? Does it smell? And you need to put him with the exo. Cuttlebone.


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[Hermiearth]

I'm not really sure he is molting?


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