HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Mzlisa wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:19 am

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?
I’m using EE substrate and sand.

AH: How deep is the substrate?
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?
My temperature has been low from the get go but the crabs still come out to roam. Working on getting temp up. Humidity could be better but between 80-85
AH: The humidity is good already. But how low is the temperature?
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes a uth only on one side

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 with prime, salt water using a salt water treatment

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Pellets and organic carrots
AH: Good start but I would recommend giving your crabs more natural foods. Check out the Safe Food Guide in Food and Water. Also pellets can be considered harmful so use them in moderation.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
2 weeks at the most not sure what kind got it from pets mart

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 Gallon no kid Saran and foil wrap at the top with a cardboard box. Will be getting glass lid soon.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 small-medium
AH: That would be a bit crowded for a 10 gallon tank, but not much you could do about it.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
10+

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
One daily. Sweeping floor and washing windows with fresh water.

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?
Cholla log yesterday


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.)?
He’s been very secluded and not a social crab.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

The smallest one just exited its shell on Saturday. It’s been lethargic ever since we got him and he haven’t moved much. He finally exited his shell. He is shell less and is fully exposed. Good thing is he is next to the coconut shell away from the others. Not sure when I should check on him. He haven’t moved in the last two days and I’m concerned. I know my tank it’s not the best but I am working on improvements. Unfortunately all my crabs have not resurfaced. At least 2 have been under since I’ve gotten them. Not sure when I’m suppose to go looking for them. One is a medium and one is a small.
.

I left shells near him in hopes he will get into them but maybe they’re too small? He haven’t made his way to the other shells yet and I don’t think he’s ever have.

I answered your questions with GB for GotButterflies

Mzlisa wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:19 am

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?
I’m using EE substrate and sand.

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?
My temperature has been low from the get go but the crabs still come out to roam. Working on getting temp up. Humidity could be better but between 80-85

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.
Also IMO analog gauges can be a little wonky and unreliable. If you are interested, 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?
Yes a uth only on one side

GB: If you have an ultratherm, you can try to insulate over your heating pad and tank to raise the temperature of your tank. There are several ways to do this. Don't insulate over your heating pad if it is a zoomed, or any other heating pad that is insulated (padded). If your heating pad is insulated, you would insulate AROUND the heating pad.

Cheaper way: You can use aluminum foil (shiny part facing the crabitat), then cardboard. Attach using packaging tape, duct tape or Reflectix tape.

More expensive: Purchase a product called Reflectix. This product looks like car shade material. It is sold in rolls at local hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot. You can also purchase it on Amazon. Cut the Reflectix to fit your tank. Attach using packaging tape, duct tape or Reflectix tape.

It can take several hours to see the difference. If doing the insulation doesn't raise your temperature, you might want to consider getting a bigger and or better heater. Most of us use ultratherms. They are great heaters. www.reptilebasics.com or www.beanfarm.com sells them.

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 with prime, salt water using a salt water treatment

GB: What type of saltwater and saltwater treatment? Unfortunately most products marketed for hermit crabs are not safe. (Bottled hermit crab saltwater and Zoomed hermit crab saltwater are not sufficient products for them). 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.
Double dish water pools: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... le+dish+yo


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Pellets and organic carrots

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 all times. 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 weeks at the most not sure what kind got it from pets mart

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 Gallon no kid Saran and foil wrap at the top with a cardboard box. Will be getting glass lid soon.


GB: With mesh lids you can always cover them with Press-N-Seal, or tape Ziploc bags on them to help keep the humidty in. I personally love glass tops. Please note that with glass tops you cannot set heat lamps on them – it will cause the glass to crack.


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 small-medium

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

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?
One daily. Sweeping floor and washing windows with fresh water.

It is only necessary to clean out the poop, food and water. You only need to clean the sand if you have mold growing on it or if you have a bacteria bloom. I have never changed my sand.

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?
Cholla log yesterday


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.)?
He’s been very secluded and not a social crab.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

The smallest one just exited its shell on Saturday. It’s been lethargic ever since we got him and he haven’t moved much. He finally exited his shell. He is shell less and is fully exposed. Good thing is he is next to the coconut shell away from the others. Not sure when I should check on him. He haven’t moved in the last two days and I’m concerned. I know my tank it’s not the best but I am working on improvements. Unfortunately all my crabs have not resurfaced. At least 2 have been under since I’ve gotten them. Not sure when I’m suppose to go looking for them. One is a medium and one is a small.
.

I left shells near him in hopes he will get into them but maybe they’re too small? He haven’t made his way to the other shells yet and I don’t think he’s ever have.

GB: You need to make your crab take the shell. They cannot live without the shell. We have articles on it. Please make recommended changes as soon as you can. Get heat up. Offer Calcium and proteins. Good luck!

Mzlisa wrote:Update: tiny has passed

CrabbyLover77 wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 01, 2020 7:33 am

I'm sorry.

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