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?
Mix of Eco Fiber and play sand

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?
Yeah, close to the top. 80,80

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, a heating pad on the 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)?
Fresh and salt, both treated.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
A mix of everything. Fruits, vegetables, meats, etc. Nothing commercial

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
7 EEs. Two tanks. Actually setting up my second one as I type this!

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

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

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

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

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Without molters? Weekly. With molters? It's hard to do much of anything.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Absolutely not.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Changed my net for a smaller one. They aren't interested.

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.)?
Two have been down for about 2-4 months. I have an awful sense of time.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I have a molter who is screaming and scratching at the bottom. I've never had this happen! He is okay? Should I pull him out or is this somehow normal?

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It could be he is he scratching at the bottom of the tank as hermit crabs can chirp very loudly but not scream. However, it is up to you whether or not to intervene, conferring the tank. Are you absolutely the molting hermit crab is the source of the sound?

Yeah. I recognize the noise. The two up top are doing nothing. It's coming from the bottom. It's similar to the, "I'm being picked on!" noise. That's what makes me nervous. I have two molters right now. I heard this noise a few hours ago (they can be pretty vocal), but the one who is making the noise right now is pretty quiet. And yeah, screaming is definitely not the right word. It's just a louder chirping than normal.

If it sounds like nails on a chalkboard, its likely he is just etching the glass with some sand.


Its been known that moulters/buried crabs communicate with eachother, for whatever reason. May be what your little guys are doing?


However, I always recommend going with a gut instinct. If something is wrong, and you feel it, its best to try and rectify IMO.

If he's the only one down I wouldn't be too worried. I would also be sure to double check it is vocalization and not just scratching at something- both sounds are made in the same manner and can sound really similar, especially if muffled underground. If you are hearing it loudly it is more likely to be his legs, rather than him calling. (Many people describe their chirping as a scream, fyi!)