HCA: Hermit Crab Association

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

It’s play sand and eco earth

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?

This is a new tank so they’ve been reading about 80% humidity and 65-75 degrees depending on the outside weather. It’s located on the other side of the tank away from the pads.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

Zoo med heating pads

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)?

I have two deep pools, fresh and salt. I use prime and instant ocean; half cup per gallon.

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

I have several food mixtures that I bought from crab stores on Etsy that have all the food groups (because I knew I wouldn’t be able to remember them separately lol), and I replace them every day, about noon when the crabs go back to sleep, sometimes earlier. I put the food in there in the evening before they wake up.

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

I’ve had him for maybe 8 months, he’s a purple pincher.

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

I’m not sure if I’m honest, he isn’t super social.

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

He was in a 55 gallon and now he’s in a 75 gallon.

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

He’s the only one currently, the others are in isolation as they’re new. They’re all tiny. Their main claw is small than my teeth.

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

He’s got about 10 I believe.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

No

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

It’s a new tank so I haven’t yet but obviously I do the water dishes every other day, the food every day, and I get the poo out of the dishes.

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?

It’s a new tank so I guess so lol

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.)?

I have owned 3 crabs (counting this one) in the past two years and each of them have died while in the water dishes despite having an escape. It’s always the fresh water.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

I noticed him in the water dish not moving hours ago but didn’t do anything because he’s super skittish and usually isn’t moving much anyways. Well it was like 3 hours so I took him out and noticed he dropped one of his legs (not a claw) I lightly touched him and he barely moved so I just sat him back in his tunnel that he loves. I’m honestly kind of worried because all of my crabs have died like this and I feel like I’m hurting them somehow, I feel so guilty.

Hi! I just did a quick read of your answers, and I noticed your temps are too low. Temps should be 75-85°F. From what I've read on here, Zoo Med uth's don't work very well. Ultratherm or Fluker's are the better brands. I use Ultratherm uth's on the back of both of my tanks and they heat them up nicely. Get one that's big enough to fit the entire back and/or sides when mounted above the substrate line. Also, do you offer a constant source of calcium? How deep is your substrate?

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I do I have a crushed up shell blend. Ok I’ll get the temp sorted. My substrate is 10 inches

PlutoniumChai wrote:I do I have a crushed up shell blend. Ok I’ll get the temp sorted. My substrate is 10 inches

Sub depth and calcium source sound good. Def work on the temp and I think you'll see a big difference. Keep us updated.

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CrabbyLover77 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 04, 2021 1:18 pm

Sub depth and calcium source sound good. Def work on the temp and I think you'll see a big difference. Keep us updated.

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Will do, thank you so much for not judging.

PlutoniumChai wrote:

Will do, thank you so much for not judging.

You're welcome!
I had been crabbing for years when I found this site. Once I went through all the care sheets, I realized a lot of what I was doing was going to need to change. So I am def not one to judge lol.

One of my favorite quotes:
"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better."

Maya Angelou




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PlutoniumChai wrote:

Hi there,
Dropping limbs can be a sign of stress, or death. When you said he was limp, did he let his body fall forward out of his shell? If so, that usually means he's passed. Until you're sure he's gone, just let him be so he doesn't stress more from handling. Is there any fishy smell?
That's great you got another heating pad. 75° is def much better. Don't forget, if the uth has no insulation (not padded), you can insulate it yourself. This will keep it from working too hard, and it may help bump the temp up.

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=119297&hilit=Fleab ... e#p1072369

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I put a thin blanket on the back of my enclosure in between the wall and the tank. This helped me raise my temperature about 3-5°. Hope this helps, I’m sorry about your little guy.