HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Guys I'm freaking out. My newest (a week or so) crab Applejacks, (he's currently in a painted shell) was looking at shells so I got excited and was watching quietly. Well he tried sooo hard to get into one shell, he tried going headfirst into it though and then realizing he couldn't and backing out, then he climbed off the shell he wanted, sat almost on the back of his shell and tried pulling (shaking almost) trying to get out with no success. I am terrified he's stuck and will die. What do I do??? (The reason I caved and bought him from petco was actually because I saw him "shaking" there)
I got him out and put him in a little tote with the shell he wants, he's looking at it but still no luck. Please help!!

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briannashermitcrabs wrote:Guys I'm freaking out. My newest (a week or so) crab Applejacks, (he's currently in a painted shell) was looking at shells so I got excited and was watching quietly. Well he tried sooo hard to get into one shell, he tried going headfirst into it though and then realizing he couldn't and backing out, then he climbed off the shell he wanted, sat almost on the back of his shell and tried pulling (shaking almost) trying to get out with no success. I am terrified he's stuck and will die. What do I do??? (The reason I caved and bought him from petco was actually because I saw him "shaking" there)
I got him out and put him in a little tote with the shell he wants, he's looking at it but still no luck. Please help!!

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Going in and out head first may not be a bad thing on its own. They will check for sharp prices or holes. The shaking is a bit worrying. The worst i could think is Applejacks could be glued inside from the petco shell. I would place him in some warm....like baby bath water warm msw let him swim around [5min max] even walking with his shell submerged would be good. You can put shells in the water. Even doing the same in fw after would be good. If he is glued do not try to remove him. He or nature [im so sorry if that happens] will work it out. Im sure raising heat and humidity to whats safest will help break down and glue. IF thats what it is. Other than that id offer lots of sub to dig and destress if needed or just incase and foods to help aid a molt/healing.

Hope your hermie moves on to the shell he wants and gets better!

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Just Jay wrote:

briannashermitcrabs wrote:Guys I'm freaking out. My newest (a week or so) crab Applejacks, (he's currently in a painted shell) was looking at shells so I got excited and was watching quietly. Well he tried sooo hard to get into one shell, he tried going headfirst into it though and then realizing he couldn't and backing out, then he climbed off the shell he wanted, sat almost on the back of his shell and tried pulling (shaking almost) trying to get out with no success. I am terrified he's stuck and will die. What do I do??? (The reason I caved and bought him from petco was actually because I saw him "shaking" there)
I got him out and put him in a little tote with the shell he wants, he's looking at it but still no luck. Please help!!

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Going in and out head first may not be a bad thing on its own. They will check for sharp prices or holes. The shaking is a bit worrying. The worst i could think is Applejacks could be glued inside from the petco shell. I would place him in some warm....like baby bath water warm msw let him swim around [5min max] even walking with his shell submerged would be good. You can put shells in the water. Even doing the same in fw after would be good. If he is glued do not try to remove him. He or nature [im so sorry if that happens] will work it out. Im sure raising heat and humidity to whats safest will help break down and glue. IF thats what it is. Other than that id offer lots of sub to dig and destress if needed or just incase and foods to help aid a molt/healing.

Hope your hermie moves on to the shell he wants and gets better!

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Okay thank you. I am so worried.

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briannashermitcrabs wrote:

Just Jay wrote:

briannashermitcrabs wrote:Guys I'm freaking out. My newest (a week or so) crab Applejacks, (he's currently in a painted shell) was looking at shells so I got excited and was watching quietly. Well he tried sooo hard to get into one shell, he tried going headfirst into it though and then realizing he couldn't and backing out, then he climbed off the shell he wanted, sat almost on the back of his shell and tried pulling (shaking almost) trying to get out with no success. I am terrified he's stuck and will die. What do I do??? (The reason I caved and bought him from petco was actually because I saw him "shaking" there)
I got him out and put him in a little tote with the shell he wants, he's looking at it but still no luck. Please help!!

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Going in and out head first may not be a bad thing on its own. They will check for sharp prices or holes. The shaking is a bit worrying. The worst i could think is Applejacks could be glued inside from the petco shell. I would place him in some warm....like baby bath water warm msw let him swim around [5min max] even walking with his shell submerged would be good. You can put shells in the water. Even doing the same in fw after would be good. If he is glued do not try to remove him. He or nature [im so sorry if that happens] will work it out. Im sure raising heat and humidity to whats safest will help break down and glue. IF thats what it is. Other than that id offer lots of sub to dig and destress if needed or just incase and foods to help aid a molt/healing.

Hope your hermie moves on to the shell he wants and gets better!

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Okay thank you. I am so worried.

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They csn be confusing stressful creature's sometimes im really sorry again. But at least hes in a better environment/home than the store.

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You could also post the emergency template if your worried about his conditions. Let me know if you need the link!

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Are you sure its stuck? Can it withdraw if frightened or come out and walk around "fully" like other crabs?

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Any update?

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I know nothing first off. But if you saw it shaking in the pet store and it's still doing that it may be behavior due to other circumstances other than shell change??? Keep him in his nice warm tank and just observe. put shells in different areas put them in Moss pits in the water try different things sometimes it helps them make up their mind when they feel more comfortable. Try not to handle your new Krabby buddy too much to keep stress levels down