HCA: Hermit Crab Association

seaislecrab wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 19, 2020 3:22 pm

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? beach sand about 3 inches

GB: IMO, for purple pinchers substrate should be 6 inches or 3 times the height of your largest crab (whichever is deeper). If you have Es substrate should be at least 10-12”. Substrate should be mixed with dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make the substrate sandcastle consistency. I personally mix mine with dechlorinated marine saltwater.


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? no

GB: This is important. You need to know what the humidity and the temperature is for your crabs. IMO, minimum heat and humidity should be 80/80. Hermit crabs have modified gills and need the humidity to breathe.
You can buy an Acurite guage from Amazon, digital, runs on batteries, tells you temp and humidity currently as well as low and high for last 24 hours: https://smile.amazon.com/AcuRite-00325- ... 184&sr=8-2

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? no

GB: You need to have a heater. IMO hermit crab tank temperatures should be at least 80. Most of us use ultratherms. They are great heaters. www.reptilebasics.com or www.beanfarm.com sells them. Us crabbers use these heaters on the back of the tank to heat the air, and not on the bottom of the tank.

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)? both fresh and salt

GB: Please know that most products marketed for hermit crabs are not safe. 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 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. 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.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? basic hermit crab food from pet store. does not eat fruit or non-pet food.

GB: Hermit crabs can eat a lot of the same things that we eat. Just check to make sure the item is on the safe list. Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
You also want to provide one or more calcium sources at a time. Examples would be Cuttlebone, Organic Eggshell, Oyster Shell, Lobster Exo, Shrimp Exo.
Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid
Safe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92556
Food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 2 year.


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?


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


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? just this one. medium size


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 2

GB: The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per hermit crab. I personally recommend more. It never hurts to have more There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552

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


12. How often do you clean the tank and how? twice a month. water only. clean food/ water trays


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? yes

GB: Sponges will not help with humidity. You can dry them out and offer them dry in the tank as a snack.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? no


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.)? no


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. We believe the crab has surface molted or died. No smell. Crab is on side and part way out of shell. All limbs are in tact. We have had them for 2 years and has never molted. I read not to disturb and leave be. How long does a surface molt last? Is it shorter than an bury molt? How can I tell if they are alive without disturbing?

GB: If there is no smell, the hermit crab might be alive. It's abdomen needs to be in it's shell to stay alive. Molting would mean that it would shed it's entire exoskeleton and then eat it. Molting time depends on the crab.
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