Hermit Crab lost 2 legs

[22pony22]

Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks!


1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Repti Sand White Mixed with Eco Earth. I have 25 pounds of sand in the tank.

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--they are located back centre. Temperature is usually 68 to high 70's. Humidity reads 60 to 90. right now it says 78

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Repti Therm by Zoo Med


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)?
I have both types of water. I use All Living things/ Thrive to treat. 4 drops in each dish

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Thrive Pellets, Zilla Fruit Mix, Fluker Freeze Dried Meal Worms, Fluker Freeze dried crickets, Zoo Med Red Shrimp. Every other day


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had the crab since August and it is a Purple Pincher


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Never.


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Was kept in a portable crab kit. I got a 10 gallon hermit crab repti tank for Christmas and now that is were the crab is now


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Currently one, But, I will be getting another crab soon.


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Right now none--I have one shell that I need to clean. Need to get more shells


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


12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
When I had the small tank I cleaned the substrate weekly. plastic scoop (looks like a kitty litter scoop but way smaller)


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?
12 new things added. 5 new plants, 2 new branches, 1 new hut, 4 new dishes, 1 new night light, The tank is new too.


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 have moss pit.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I received the 10 gallon tank for Christmas. Went to PetSmart to get 2 plants, 2 branches, heater and hiding hut. Began to set up my tank and when I was taking things out of my old tank--after I removed the crab and put it in the continer I use to keep it in I noticed that it looked funny so I went back to old tank and saw that its purple claw fell off. Called the store I buy my pets from and they said it happens from stress and my textbook from school that has chapter on invertabres says that there wasn't treatment and it would grow back after molts. Today when I got home from work another leg fell off. My crab has never molted and I have had since august 6th (4 months). I check and record the humidity and temperature twice a day and mist tank if humidity is under 65%
.

[22pony22]

I don't feed any fresh food right now. I tried to feed cucumber and Blueberries couple days after buying my crab and the crab refused them. Really likes the Fruit mix and the meal worms.

[DevilNDisguise]

Loss of limbs is typically a sign of distress, usually from an improper and/or stressful environment. I'll offer the best advice I can, addressing a few things I see in your post.

The substrate you're using is unfortunately not safe. Eco Earth is good, but "repti-sand" is calcium sand, and calcium sand isn't safe at all for hermit crabs. It can harden when wet and become stuck to the hermit crab. It would be better if you use playsand in replacement, which is cheaper anyway.

The temperature could be a little higher if it's around 68, but high 70s isn't bad. Try to keep it in the 75-85 range. Zoo Med's heat mats aren't always sufficient; they're really hit-or-miss. I use them for some frogs I have, but they've never worked properly for my crabitats. You can try to insulate the tank (just don't cover the actual heat mat) by using blankets or pillows, cardboard and tape, etc., and that could help to raise the temps a bit. In the future, maybe look into adding more heat mats or a different brand entirely.

The humidity, while 78% isn't too bad, I wouldn't let it fall below 80%. 60% is far too low. They need it to be high for their modified gills, in order to breathe. I don't know what you use for a lid, but if it's a screen top, you can put plastic wrap over it to trap the humidity in.

What kind of salt are you using to create the saltwater pool? As long as it's something marine-grade, like Instant Ocean, you should be safe.
Are your fresh and saltwater pools deep enough for your crab to fully submerge itself?

Avoid using any commercial "hermit crab" foods, especially the pellets. Those are not usually good for them. The freeze-dried things are fine. If you haven't already, take a look at these feeding/diet guides:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92554

Definitely get some more shells as soon as you can. Every hermit crab should have at least 5 or more shells as options.

I will also add that night lights are not necessary; if they're the red or blue bulbs, that's visible light that the hermit crab can still detect and that can disrupt its day/night cycle. If you preferred to have a bulb for at night, I would use a ceramic, but any bulb in general can zap your humidity, which is why many people use the UTH (heat mats) in replacement to them.

Also, you mention you'll be getting another crab soon. I'd suggest waiting until you can get your current habitat up to standards for your current crab first.

I'd say the best thing to do for your crabbie is to try and upgrade some of the aspects of its environment as soon as possible and as quickly as you can. Raising the temp and humidity, keeping them consistent, and offering a better diet alone would probably make him/her feel a lot better. And on top of that, I would replace the substrate to the playsand/eco earth mix so he/she can go down to molt to regrow his/her limbs afterward.

Good luck to you and your hermit. I hope they feel better soon!

[22pony22]

Substrate: really?? It does not say "calcium sand" anywhere on the bag. Right now I have 25 pounds of sand with 4 pounds of eco earth (I used half of an 8 dry quart bag). I will add more eco earth and re-mix up the sand in the tank when I spot clean the tank next week. I will do more research on play sand that is available in my area.

Heating mat feels hot so does inside the tank near it. I will try using your suggestions for raising the temperature. and if that doesn't work I'll get another mat. Humidity-- In my old tank during the summer--I had humidity at 80% and a couple of times it was 93%. In my new 10 gallon tank the humidity is currently reading 84% . I'm using the lid that came with the Zoo-Med Repti Habitat for Hermit crabs but I do have some plastic wrap wrapped around slightly off center. I have the gauges back center--in the area that I have put plastic wrap around lid. I am using the Exo-terra digital gauges. One for temperature and one for humidity

I had been using the salt water conditioner from "All Living Things". However, right now in my 10 gallon tank I am using the salt water conditioner that came with the tank (by Zoo med). Before I got this tank I was using two little tan ceramic bowls (never saw crab submerge--only saw drinking. Only time it was actually in bowl completely was when he fell off something and landed in it). In my 10 gallon tank-- I am using two "repti rock" water dishes. One came with the tank and the other I bought to use with a different pet (floated and couldn't return so just held onto it--now it is being used as a water dish).

I think my crab likes the pellets--it refused to eat fresh fruit for them. I crush them up and mix them with fruit mix and rotate in meal worms, shrimp and crickets.

I have one shell that I just need to clean. Saw bag of shells at the pet store the other day was going to buy them but on closer inspection a lot looked broken at that store. Will look at my normal store near my house and buy couple bags from there.

[22pony22]

The night light I am using is the "Full Moon Light" By Exo Terra it is 1 watt. I do also have a LED light that is 1 watt.


I just put part of the cardboard that was holding things inside of the kit on top to try and raise temperature. When I put it on it was 69.3 and now it is 68.5. Humidity is 84%

[Crabby in NJ]

Substrate: really?? It does not say "calcium sand" anywhere on the bag. Right now I have 25 pounds of sand with 4 pounds of eco earth (I used half of an 8 dry quart bag). I will add more eco earth and re-mix up the sand in the tank when I spot clean the tank next week. I will do more research on play sand that is available in my area.

it doesn’t have to say it to be it hun. You can research anywhere and will find that this sand you are using can potentially cause death, sorry to be blunt but that’s the harsh reality of things right now. Also, waiting until next week may be too late to add more substrate. If the crab cannot burrow down where it needs to be and feel completely safe, it won’t molt and that could be why it’s losing limbs. You need to add at least 6 inches of good substrate ASAP.

Heating mat feels hot so does inside the tank near it. I will try using your suggestions for raising the temperature. and if that doesn't work I'll get another mat. Humidity-- In my old tank during the summer--I had humidity at 80% and a couple of times it was 93%. In my new 10 gallon tank the humidity is currently reading 84% . I'm using the lid that came with the Zoo-Med Repti Habitat for Hermit crabs but I do have some plastic wrap wrapped around slightly off center. I have the gauges back center--in the area that I have put plastic wrap around lid. I am using the Exo-terra digital gauges. One for temperature and one for humidity

if it isn’t warm enough for these Caribbean crabs, they can get very stressed which can also cause limb loss. Remember where they come from, hence the name Caribbean. It’s hot there. When the human body gets too cold for comfort what happens? Now apply that to the crabbies and remember we control their environment, they do not so they will become lethargic and suffer. Same when concerning humidity. They have modified gills. Not enough humidity leaves them unable to breathe properly. Ever crank the heat up and then take a shower? Too hot and too humid = hard time breathing. Think of this lil guy being unable to breathe and no way to fix it. Sad but it’s the truth.

I had been using the salt water conditioner from "All Living Things". However, right now in my 10 gallon tank I am using the salt water conditioner that came with the tank (by Zoo med). Before I got this tank I was using two little tan ceramic bowls (never saw crab submerge--only saw drinking. Only time it was actually in bowl completely was when he fell off something and landed in it). In my 10 gallon tank-- I am using two "repti rock" water dishes. One came with the tank and the other I bought to use with a different pet (floated and couldn't return so just held onto it--now it is being used as a water dish).

I think my crab likes the pellets--it refused to eat fresh fruit for them. I crush them up and mix them with fruit mix and rotate in meal worms, shrimp and crickets.

just bc the crab may eat the pellets, doesn’t mean they like it OR that is is good for them. If you’re given bread everyday for months on end, you’re going to eat it to survive right? The crab cannot fend for itself in a tank. Even if the crab did like it, it is toxic to them and can kill crabs. It’s poisonous to them. You can do your own research on any of these topics and get the answers we are giving you. I know it sucks but again, this is the truth of the situation based on what we know. We are only trying to help you, help your crabby.

I have one shell that I just need to clean. Saw bag of shells at the pet store the other day was going to buy them but on closer inspection a lot looked broken at that store. Will look at my normal store near my house and buy couple bags from there.

Caribbean crabs change their shells like you change your underwear. Also, the shell you have may not be the perfect fit for the crabs body. Crabs are picky for their pants just like we are. They shell shop, we clothes shop. Think of it that way. Also, u don’t wear the same thing every single day your entire life right? Neither do they and they don’t like to do it if forced to do it bc again, all shells are different shapes, sizes as are the crabbies! Good luck hun.

[DevilNDisguise]

So, I'll take back what I said about the Repti-sand, partially. Not all Repti-Sand is calcium-based. I reread your post and you mentioned it was the "white", so I looked it up real quick and am now assuming it must be the "all natural" sand. Even still, I've never recommended "reptile"-based sands. Many of them are made with dyes and treated with all kinds of stuff. They aren't even safe for reptiles for many reasons. I'm not 100% about this particular type, but I would rather be safe than sorry, in the end.

84% for the humidity is pretty good. Again, just keep the tank sealed as best as you can, and avoid going in there too much to do anything except for feeding and water changes. Staying out of the tank will also lessen the stress on the crab.

Be careful using that type of salt-water conditioner, too. Again, you'd probably want to switch to a regular water conditioner like Prime that covers all the bases for things like neutralizing ammonia, removing chlorine & chloramine, and removing heavy metals; that'll at least clean the water itself. Water conditioners that add salt are not usually strong enough (aren't made with enough salt in them) and so they are inefficient. I don't believe they necessarily harm them, although some products I suppose could have other contents in them that might not be safe, but they definitely aren't very beneficial. So again, I'd look into getting actual marine-grade salt to create your own mixture of saltwater.

In the case that the crab seems to like its pellets, that could very well be true. But again, it isn't good for them. Most pellet-based diets are full of byproducts, meal-product, and preservatives, and those are just no good. I wouldn't offer the pellets at all, as in the long-run, it will take a toll on its health. The crab won't starve itself to death, even if it's a case of being a picky-eater. Crabs eat everything in the wild; they're scavengers. It will definitely eat the better food options when it wants to.
Chances are that you simply just haven't seen it eating those things. They're rather stealthy, and most are also nocturnal so will be most active during the night hours. The same goes for why you might not have seen it using its water dishes either. It probably simply does these things while you're asleep. Either way, though, although it doesn't seem like it is using these things or eating certain things, don't let that stop you from offering those things.

You seem to be on the right track. The temperature still needs to raise, diet needs to change, your saltwater needs an upgrade, and your substrate might need an overhaul, but you'll get there! It may seem like a lot, but this is all part of being a crabbie owner.

[DevilNDisguise]

The night light I am using is the "Full Moon Light" By Exo Terra it is 1 watt. I do also have a LED light that is 1 watt.


I just put part of the cardboard that was holding things inside of the kit on top to try and raise temperature. When I put it on it was 69.3 and now it is 68.5. Humidity is 84%

Like I mentioned in my other post, night lights aren't necessary, unless for heat and if it is for heat, then you'd be better off using a ceramic bulb because that is strictly for heat and gives off no visible light.
A 1 watt probably doesn't emit a lot of heat, anyway, so I'd imagine you'd be fine leaving it off. Again, any visible light will disrupt the day/night cycle of your hermit crab.

[wodesorel]

Something went wrong that it hasn't molted yet. While not all crabs will molt right away, and larger crabs can go longer between molts, it is extremely common for a new crab to come home and dig in for a couple of months. I'd be very suspicious of the substrate - if it wasn't deep enough, had the right level of moisture, or had the right texture - it would prevent them from burying to create a molting cave. They can only put off molting for so long before their bodies shut down. That's unfortunately usually the core issue in these kinds of cases.

You've had him for a while, but since he hasn't molted, this would still be classified as a Post Purchase Syndrome.

Lesser possibilities is the temperature - below 70 gets into a grey zone. People have had their crab die when their tank got to the mid 60s, not all crabs are hardy and many arrive already injured by the collection and shipping process.

I don't think their diet is horrible, but it is limited and the pellets may not have the safest ingredients. Same with the water conditioners, I don't believe those brands are complete when it comes to chloramines, and some even have dyed and other stabilizers added that can be a problem. As for the saltwater, natural sea water has over 70 elements and the stuff sold for hermits has only a handful, it takes a marine replacer like Instant Ocean to mimic the real ocean. Again, all these are probably not a main cause, but it can compound into an issue with an already struggling crab. Little things tend to add up.

[22pony22]

I put a piece of cardboard and a towel over the tank. I am going to go to these store soon to get a second heater to be on the back near the one I have on the side of the tank. Hopefully, two 10-20 gallon heaters will bring up the temperature. Currently 70*F and 93% humidity

While I am at the store, I will get another bag of the sand I use. Deciding if I need to get another bag of coco fiber. I have half a bag of eco earth and one brick of hermit crab soil that I got with the tank. Going to get more substrate added today.

I have just been doing 4 drops of the water conditioner (either of them) into the water dish. How long does instant ocean last? any particular type of instant ocean? Could I use multiple conditioners (that do the same purpose) at the same time?

How do I know for sure if it has died? I smell a very slight but I don't know if it is a fishy smell. How badly does it smell? I had a gold mystery snail die and it REALLY smelled (had to wash my hand like 5 times to get rid of the smell). I just don't want to assume death and get rid of Hermy and have him still be alive but I don't want to have a crab decomposing that would put 2 new crabs **THAT I HAVE NOT YET BOUGHT--AND WON'T GET TILL FIX THINGS IN THE TANK** at risk.

[wodesorel]

Is this the sand you're using? Just FYI, it is the same as playsand, but insanely overpriced. They have it here at 10 pounds for $17. You can purchase 50lbs for $4 at most hardware stores.


Seachem Prime dechlor would be added to all water entering the tank, and you wouldn't need anything else to make it safe. Instant Ocean comes in a purple or orange box (the orange is their reef crystals which is also safe). The 3lb box makes 10 gallons total, so if you're using say one cup per day, that's 160 days worth.




Some crabs will absolutely reek when they pass, but others won't smell - either at all, or at least until they are removed or fall out of their shell.

[22pony22]

Yes, that is the brand of sand that I have been using. I just bought more sand to increase the depth of the substrate.

For water condtioners I have just been using All living things (now called Thrive) 4 drops in each dish. Right now in the tank however, I have the zoo med ones. I will get some instant ocean next week when I get to a larger pet-store.

I bought a second heater (exact same brand as size as the one I had--repti therm by zoo med). Since attaching next to the other one--it I have gotten the tank to be 70.3*F Humidity is still 93%

[Crabby in NJ]

Lookin good kiddo. Just keep working on it and everything will work itself out. I hope ur hermy isn’t dead but if this is the care, my condolences. Wode knows what she’s talking about u r in good hands.

Good luck!

[DevilNDisguise]

Agreed with the above, the recommendations from Wodesorel are great, and you're definitely on the right path.

[22pony22]

Ok I will get some of the orange instant ocean. I also saw a bag of shells I liked at another PetSmart but on closer inspection some looked broken. So, will go to another PetSmart this week. (wish I could go tomorrow because I work near one but don't know what time I am working till. Wish I know I was getting out early today--could of gone today).

Can Aqua safe by Tetra be used as a water conditioner for hermit crabs?

I THINK Hermy is still alive but hasn't eaten, drank/ soaked in water or dug to molt. Just sits inside shell under the new coconut hut I bought for him.