HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi, I'm new here. I just got two medium sized land crabs a couple days ago. I think one of them is trying to molt, however I'm not sure that the substrate is deep enough. (I realize this is a result of my own stupidity, I was rushing in setting up the tank to get the crabs out of their tiny boxes as soon as possible) I'm using a mixture of coconut fiber and calcium sand ( approx 2.5-3 inches deep). One of my crabs attempted to bury itself and has been pretty inactive. I read that crabs need sufficient darkness to molt, however he is against the glass of the tank. He also doesn't have very much substrate covering him or underneath him and I'm worried he might try to surface molt. The other crab tried to dig him up but I put a divider in the tank. Is it safe to move the burrowed crab and add substrate underneath and on top of him? Or what else can I do to make sure he makes it through his molt?

It is safe to add 1 in of substrate per day to prevent smothering your crabs. Also he may just be destressing if he's a newbie, but good idea with the tank divider just incase!

Thanks! Is it ok to add substrate directly on top of him?

Yes, that's fine. What do you use for substrate btw?

Calcium sand is not safe for hermit crabs. You need to replace it with play sand and EE.

Ok I've been using calcium sand and a version of EE (not the brand name). Are my crabs going to be ok if they remain in the calcium sand until tomorrow or Sunday? I have to order the play sand

The ratio of calcium sand to EE that I have right now is about 1:2

abesze wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 27, 2019 12:59 pm

Ok I've been using calcium sand and a version of EE (not the brand name). Are my crabs going to be ok if they remain in the calcium sand until tomorrow or Sunday? I have to order the play sand

Play sand can be purchased for less than $5 a 50lb bag at hardware stores, like Home Depot, Lowes. The problem with calcium sand is that when it gets wet it hardens like cement. So if it gets in their shell it would be deadly. If you add substrate I wouldn't cover the partially buried crab. When they bury themselves they create a cave so they can breathe.

abesze wrote:Ok I've been using calcium sand and a version of EE (not the brand name). Are my crabs going to be ok if they remain in the calcium sand until tomorrow or Sunday? I have to order the play sand

I would like to hear from a more experienced crabber if you need to remove the crabs before the weekend, when you get the proper sub. I don't want to give any bad advice, I'm sorry

Sent from my LG-SP320 using Tapatalk

I wouldn't add play sand to the current sub. I would get rid of the current calcium sand/ EE mix and start new.
It's risky to dig up a crab who has dug under the sub, but I wonder if it would be better in this case than leaving him to molt in dangerous sub? You could gently dig him up and isolate him, and replace the sub. A day or two likely won't make a big difference - but I would do it as soon as you can.

Thank you guys!! I think I'll leave them in the current substrate for tonight and replace it fully as just EE without sand tomorrow morning. (I haven't had any chances to replace it today)

Sorry, one more question. If it turns out that my crabs are just de stressing and not molting and come up to the surface, would it be a good idea to bathe them to get any calcium sand out of their shells? Or would that make it cement further?

I can’t answer the question about bathing him. I’m not sure it would be terrible if you do but just using all EE has mixed opinions on it and that it is not good. I personally wouldn’t use all EE. It’s best mixed with play sand. Is there no where close to be able to get play sand at?

There's a nearby Lowe's, but I don't have enough space to store a 50 lb bag. I looked online to see if I can find a smaller bag, is any brand ok?

So I went to my local hardware store and found the 50lb bag it's not as big as I thought so all is good thank you so much for all the help!!!