HCA: Hermit Crab Association

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Play sand, inches

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?
Yes, 80% and 27 degrees Celsius

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
UTH along back

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, bottled spring water and API aquarium salt

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
It has been egg, watercress, eggshell, broccoli and apple so far (all fresh, organic and thoroughly washed)

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
3 days, purple pincher


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No, not yet

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
100l tote with plastic lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 crabs, about 4cm

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
None yet, as they have not arrived because I could not order them before I got the crabs because I didn’t know the size

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Haven’t cleaned yet

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?
A cuttlebone

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.)?
Crabs have just been shipped overnight. I have not seen any of them in the water yet

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I opened the tank after 30hrs of being away (irresponsible, I know, but I had no other options) there was an extremely strong stench of rotting fish/food that has filled the whole room. As far as I know all crabs are alive though one hasn’t moved but also hasn’t flopped out of the shell. I am quite stressed as this is my first time caring for crabs, what caused the smell?? I sniffed the slightly mushy food and it was not too pungent...


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Could it have been the food from being in for a day? Sometimes I forget I added fresh food and don't change it for 48 hours and it smells rotten. (I feed dry mixes so I usually change 48 to 72 hours depending on amount eaten and freshness)


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I sniffed the food dish (before I got rid of every last mushy drop of it) and it really wasn’t as strong as the tank. It may have just been the humidity in there. I am still quite worried that they don’t seem to be eating/drinking/doing much right now.


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squid wrote:I sniffed the food dish (before I got rid of every last mushy drop of it) and it really wasn’t as strong as the tank. It may have just been the humidity in there. I am still quite worried that they don’t seem to be eating/drinking/doing much right now.


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Purple pinchers are the laziest of the crabs, most of the time. Mine hate any type of physical exercise. Lol. They usually hide in one spot for long periods of time.
Especially if you just brought them home, they're adjusting and are probably going to be shy. Also, crabs are nocturnal, so they may be eating and moving around at night while you're asleep. They eat so little it's hard to tell. Lol. Mine would make all kinds of noise all night (shells hitting glass) then be right back in their favorite spot by morning. I would get so frustrated

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How deep is your substrate? Is it damp enough to hold it's shape, like sand castle consistency?
It would be better to use tap water and a dechlorinator like Prime, rather than bottled spring water. Use it for both fresh and salt water.
Time will tell if the one who isn't moving has passed away or not, and if that is where the smell comes from.

Oh sorry! I forgot to actually type the number of inches whoops! It’s about 7 inches at its highest. All of the crabs are alive (thank god) but I’m still worried because having my entire room smell like this isn’t entirely sustainable. I’m letting the tank air out for a bit before I add any more food. Could you also explain the downsides to using bottled water?


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Hello I answered with GB for GotButterflies

squid wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:24 am

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Play sand, inches

GB: I saw you mentioned seven inches - Great! Substrate should be 6 inches or 3 times the height of your largest crab (whichever is deeper). It should also be mixed with dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make the substrate sandcastle consistency.

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, bottled spring water and API aquarium salt

GB: You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, and chloramine as well as neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals. A lot of us use a product called Prime. As far as salt, you need marine salt, to mimic the ocean. A lot of us use a product called Instant Ocean which is what aquarium hobbyists use to make saltwater aquariums. It has the essential trace elements that hermit crabs need. You have to use the dechlorinator for both freshwater and marine saltwater. Both pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge in and safe enough for them to get out of. API aquarium salt is not appropriate. It is basically glorified table salt for freshwater fish.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
It has been egg, watercress, eggshell, broccoli and apple so far (all fresh, organic and thoroughly washed)

GB: Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
Safe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92556
Food pyramid: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92554
Provide calcium too - cuttlebone, eggshells, coral, oyster shell, exoskeleton


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
None yet, as they have not arrived because I could not order them before I got the crabs because I didn’t know the size

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Haven’t cleaned yet

GB: You really just need to scoop out the poop, change food and water.

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.)?
Crabs have just been shipped overnight. I have not seen any of them in the water yet

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I opened the tank after 30hrs of being away (irresponsible, I know, but I had no other options) there was an extremely strong stench of rotting fish/food that has filled the whole room. As far as I know all crabs are alive though one hasn’t moved but also hasn’t flopped out of the shell. I am quite stressed as this is my first time caring for crabs, what caused the smell?? I sniffed the slightly mushy food and it was not too pungent...

GB: More than likely the smell is the eggs - I wouldn't handle the crabs. Let them acclimate to the environment. Change the food. It could also just be a combination of the environment, and you aren't used to it. Try not to stress out about it.


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