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? All EE- 4-6” around 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?
Humidity always above 80, temp from 75-80

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? 2 heat pads on outside back wall of 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)?

Fresh (thrive dechlorinator with tap) and salt (instant ocean)


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? THCP basic and fruit blends, fresh fruit and veggies, popcorn, added calcium


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 4 months. I think it’s an Ecuadorian- smaller than a golf ball.


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? not sure


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 tank, mesh lid that is covered in duct tape

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 1 crab- had two in there for about a month and purchased a larger tank. Have not been able
to move this crab because he’s been burrowed so he’s been alone since.


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 3 polished turbos


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


12. How often do you clean the tank and how? spot clean weekly


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 not since we bought the tank- everything was boiled


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.)?

Crab has been burrowed for over two months- very hard to tell if he’s been eating or getting in the water. We have all EE in the tank so can’t see tracks. He’s still in the painted shell he’s been in since we bought him, he’s never changed out of it. He is burrowed underneath a piece of chula wood next to salt water dish and I can see the top of his shell. He’s been in the exact same spot for going on two weeks. I don’t think he’s moved- I am checking on him daily and there is no smell in the tank but complete lack of movement concerns me he’s dead but I have been hesistant to dig around and try to check if he’s just molting


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.


.

I think you are doing the right thing by waiting. I mean, if he is molting, you could cause serious harm by digging him up to check on him. But if he is dead, digging him up to check won't do anything. It has only been two weeks. And there is no smell. I would continue to wait for a while still.

Thanks for the quick response Curly Sister- to be clear, he’s been burrowed for over 2 months now, he hasn’t moved from his current position in over 2 weeks which is why I’m starting to get concerned:(

Hoping for the best


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I am not sure I have a clear picture then. He was burrowed completely underneath for 2 months, then came back up? And was moving around and acting normally? For how long?
And now is partially buried and hasn't moved to two weeks?

So he has been burrowed for about two months. I could see signs of him moving around (dirt in water, food being eaten) every once in awhile. About two weeks ago, I was moving stuff around in the tank and found him underneath the wood- i can only see the top of his shell, and he has not moved from that position since then.

To be clear, I haven’t seen him moving around in the tank for two months. I’m making assumptions based on his water and food dishes- other than that, I don’t know if he’s actually moved

Ah, okay. If he was eating food etc, he wasn't burrowed under and not coming out for two months. So very unlikely he molted at that time.
He has now been in the same place - partially buried - for two weeks. I would give him more time. If he is now molting, disturbing him could harm him.

Thanks- is it normal for a crab to not move at all while molting? Staying in the exact same spot for weeks at a time?

CLTHermie wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 15, 2020 4:16 pm

Thanks- is it normal for a crab to not move at all while molting? Staying in the exact same spot for weeks at a time?

Yes, this is completely normal. If they were moving then it's not a molt. Also just wanted to add in, If it's an Ecuadorian then add more substrate. Es like to dig a lot more than other crabs so it should be at least 10-12 inches (which would mean probably getting a taller tank, considering that most 10 gallons are only 12" tall lol).

Thanks for the additional info- I bought a larger tanks a couple months back with much deeper substrate but he’s been burrowed and I haven’t wanted to dig him up.

That’s good to know they don’t move at all during a molt because he has been in the exact same spot, same position for a couple weeks now. I’ll give him some more time