HCA: Hermit Crab Association

We bought a new crab, Sandy, to be friends Harley, who we've had about 2 months.(Our 1st h.c. ever.) It changed out of it's horrible painted shell the day it came home. All was going well, playing with us, active in the crabitat, eating, avoiding Harley. We had Sandy out in the "playpen" on the 4th day after coming home. The next day we were checking them out in the tank, and Harley was burried at the glass were we could see him & Sandy was tucked in shell under a bridge. We left them alone, and 2 days later no one had moved. I picked up Sandy to wake up and play, but there was no crab in the shell! No other change shells had been taken either. It's been 2 weeks with no sign of Sandy. I assume it's molting, but do they leave shells on top of substrate to do this? We've watched Harley as much as we can to monitor him harming Sandy. I have no idea where Sandy is to attempt isolation. Also seeing gnats in the tank so I want to add sand to the coconut fiber, but I should wait for Sandy to come out. Don't know what to do, if anything even should be done at this time. I've done a lot of research to give them a happy healthy life, but can't find this exact scenario. Thanks for any advice!!

You 110% sure all shells are accounted for?
I'm sorry this isn't much help right now but it is good practice to try and let new crabs destress and avoid handling for a spell. Temperature is 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit? Humidity is 75% to 85%? Substrate is at least three times the height of your largest crab? Read read read.viewforum.php?f=51

I am sure no change shells were taken. The temp was hovering at 70-72 and humidity right at 70. I added some more moist coconut fiber substrate which increased both levels to perfect levels. I did this very carefully after Sandy disappeared, avoiding the area the empty shells was; an area about 6 inches in diameter around the shell. Harley stole that shell and has been more active since I added more moisture. I know they need to acclimate to the new home, and I know it's common for a pet store hermie to molt once brought to a better home. I'm worried because it has no shell. (I keep saying "it" because I haven't had the opportunity to determine if Sandy is male or female.) I don't think it's normal to burrow or molt with no shell. Thankfully there are no signs of death such as an odor or loose body parts.

And I've realized my substrate is about 2 inches under the depth it should be. I'm afraid to make changes while a crab is "naked" and M.I.A.

You can add more substrate when they are under. Just dont press it down, and they should be fine. Many recommend adding an inch per day.

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Missing with no shell? hmmmmm... it does sound a little concerning but im sure digging for it is a worse option. Anticipate some of its needs like diet to help it molt and other shells it may like etc. Be ready for it when it does appear. Just make sure your tank is dialed in and wait??

If you are absolutely positive it is shell-less you should go looking. They do not molt without shells, and they die if left naked for even a small amount of time. Be careful when searching, but after two weeks it probably won't be a good outcome.

wodesorel wrote:If you are absolutely positive it is shell-less you should go looking. They do not molt without shells, and they die if left naked for even a small amount of time. Be careful when searching, but after two weeks it probably won't be a good outcome.

Thats what i said... :roll:
Learn something new everyday you know

So should I look for it or not? One reply says yes & one says no, but that's where my brain is-50/50. Lol! If I do not intervene now, how long do I wait? Until the smell tells me it's deceased for sure?? I just want to do what's best to keep them both healthy & alive, and of course I'm feeling anxious of the outcome. Thanks for the input so far guys!!!

Lovelittlecrabs17 wrote:So should I look for it or not? One reply says yes & one says no, but that's where my brain is-50/50. Lol! If I do not intervene now, how long do I wait? Until the smell tells me it's deceased for sure?? I just want to do what's best to keep them both healthy & alive, and of course I'm feeling anxious of the outcome. Thanks for the input so far guys!!!

If you believe the crab is shelless, you need to dig.

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Do what the admin says not me.

Well then, I'll work on it tomorrow. The tank is in my daughter's room, and she's already gone to bed. So my plan is to find Sandy, carefully with a spoon put it in the little critter cage from the pet store with good substrate, food, water, and shells. Then see what happens. I've read about the cup method for naked crabs if it comes to that. While Sandy is out, I'll fill the substrate in the big tank, and get that perfected. Pray for the best! Thanks so much for the advice -Lemme know if my game plan is missing anything.

Read into iso techniques and foods? Have it all ready before you dig? Good luck! Happy thoughts.

Lovelittlecrabs17 wrote:Well then, I'll work on it tomorrow. The tank is in my daughter's room, and she's already gone to bed. So my plan is to find Sandy, carefully with a spoon put it in the little critter cage from the pet store with good substrate, food, water, and shells. Then see what happens. I've read about the cup method for naked crabs if it comes to that. While Sandy is out, I'll fill the substrate in the big tank, and get that perfected. Pray for the best! Thanks so much for the advice -Lemme know if my game plan is missing anything.

Naked crabs should be manually reshelled within 30-45 mins or less of going naked. If you believe this crab is without a shell, and buried, and has been so for two weeks, it is probably dead.



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What gringa means is...im sorry but you should hope for the best but prepare for the worst