HCA: Hermit Crab Association

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?
Sand/coconut mix, about 3 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?
Temperature is just below 80, humidity around 50 (I’m working on getting it higher)


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heating pad attached to back and sometimes heating lamp

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 are available, I use instant ocean and prime

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Flukers turtle medley treat, every 2-3 days

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
2 years, not sure

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I think it’s happening now! Ahh! He’s pale and not moving much, but in his shell?

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 glass tank, cage top

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3, two small ones and one medium one

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Not sure exactly, a whole bunch

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Weekly, scrape poo out, about once a year change out substantial amounts of substrate

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?

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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

I sometimes wet the sand a little more than with a spray bottle because it helps the humidity, when pouring in water I accidentally poured too fast and it open and seemed to collapse one of my crabs tunnels. He’s been buried for several weeks now so I was really worried he had been molting. At some point I had read it’s bad to leave them in the cage with another crab, but he was buried and the other crabs didn’t seem to have an issue so he was in there. However, opening or collapsing or whatever happened to his tunnel I worried put him in danger. I put him in a separate container now and then remembered this page. Did I do the right thing? Is he okay? Was he even molting? What do I do now? Help! I’ve had them almost two years, but have just recently had my eyes open to the complexity of these little guys.
.

Update: he is slowly digging himself down into the sand in the separate container. He’s definitely a pale color, the tip of his legs look almost white. He is moving though. I’m pulling sand for his super age place real quick i found his old “skin” so apparently he has already molted. Do I leave him separate? There’s not enough sand in there right now, should I add some?

For one, you need WAY more than 3 inches of Substrate. 6 OR more inches is recommended. You need to change the diet to a mix of healthy food such as proteins and calcium. The turtle food is meant for turtles, not crabs.
Crushed oyster shell, crushed crab and lobster shell, ect. Even eggshells are good.
Proteins such as chicken, fish , ect. (all untreated and natural, nothing added)

Yeah, I know. I was planning on adding more. As I said, I’m new to this so I redid my habitat and planned to add another few inches, but my crab buried himself and I had read adding too much on top could collapse their tunnel so I was waiting until he came up.

Ohh, makes sense. I would say if you already moved him just let him be, don't move him back.

I had a surface molter once. don't touch him, leave him be, and provide good foods.
(If you want pre made food mixes, HermitGrub has good foods. Can find them on Etsy. )

Any idea on how long I should wait before moving him back to his normal container?

That I don't know.
what kind of sand is being used? "Calcium sand" is very toxic to Hermit crabs.

Please see my replies below in bold.
Pumpkincrab has given some information that is not accurate.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Sand/coconut mix, about 3 inches
Curly - I see that you were going to add more substrate. It should be at least three times as deep as your largest crab. Be sure it is mixed with dechlorinated water so that it is moist enough to hold shape but not so wet that water pools in the bottom.

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?
Temperature is just below 80, humidity around 50 (I’m working on getting it higher)
Curly - To keep the humidity inside the tank, you will need to seal the top. You can get a glass or plexiglass lid, but you can also simply wrap it with saran/ plastic wrap (then you can not use the lamp for heat of course). Crabs will get enough air when you open the tank to change water and food.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heating pad attached to back and sometimes heating lamp
Curly - If you cover the top with plastic, as i said you can't use the lamp. If your tank isn't warm enough with the one UTH, you can insulate parts of the tank (over the UTH if it is not one of the ones with a sticky side), and also add a blanket to the top to help hold in the heat.

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 are available, I use instant ocean and prime

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Flukers turtle medley treat, every 2-3 days
Curly - This food is totally safe for crabs. It has no additives or preservatives. Crabs do need a varied diet, with includes calcium and protein (which you have protein in this mix). Be sure to check out the care sheets for info on food and nutrition. They can eat many of the same foods as we do, just without preservatives or additives. You can continue to give him the turtle food, and maybe just add a few things to it.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
2 years, not sure

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I think it’s happening now! Ahh! He’s pale and not moving much, but in his shell?
Curly - Crabs do not leave their shell to molt.

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 glass tank, cage top
Curly - Be sure to check the care sheets for the number and size of crabs that you can have in a tank of what size. You will need to upgrade as they grow.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3, two small ones and one medium one

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Not sure exactly, a whole bunch
Curly - Be sure to check the care sheets to ensure you are offering appropriate types of shells. HCA recommends 3 to 5 extra per crab.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Weekly, scrape poo out, about once a year change out substantial amounts of substrate

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?

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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

I sometimes wet the sand a little more than with a spray bottle because it helps the humidity, when pouring in water I accidentally poured too fast and it open and seemed to collapse one of my crabs tunnels. He’s been buried for several weeks now so I was really worried he had been molting. At some point I had read it’s bad to leave them in the cage with another crab, but he was buried and the other crabs didn’t seem to have an issue so he was in there. However, opening or collapsing or whatever happened to his tunnel I worried put him in danger. I put him in a separate container now and then remembered this page. Did I do the right thing? Is he okay? Was he even molting? What do I do now? Help! I’ve had them almost two years, but have just recently had my eyes open to the complexity of these little guys.
Curly - Crabs can and should stay in the main tank to molt, they shouldn't be moved to a separate container or tank. If you found his exoskeleton and he is very pale in this situation, he does need to be isolated because he is vulnerable to the other crabs until his new exo has hardened. The container he is in needs to have proper conditions, so temp and humidity around 80 each. You can isolate him in the main tank, either in a margarine container with holes cut in it, or you can cut off a 2L pop bottle, take the cap off, and push it into the sub around him. He will need his exo in there with him, and he will eat it. When he is moving around, you can give him bottle caps of both waters, and can add a bit of your turtle food. If he seems not as pale, and is active, and his new exo has hardened, then you can let him back in the tank with the other crabs.