New Hermit Crabs
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:03 am
Hello! I bought my son 2 hermit crabs from PetSmart almost 2 weeks ago. The crabs buried themselves in the substrate within a day, but there were signs of movement at night. The last week though, I see no evidence of movement in the tank at all. How long do I let them be until I worry? Could they both be molting?
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
The substrate is a mix of play sand and coconut fiber. It's currently 3 inches deep. I want to make it deeper, but I am waiting for the hermit crabs to come out first.
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?
Yes. It's located inside the top corner of the tank. Humidity could be a little high? It usually reads 90-95. If I open the lid, the humidity gets too low. I'm not sure of the solve for high humidity. Temp sits between 75 and 80.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, we have a heat pad (I can't remember the exact name.) It's attached to the right side of the tank window above the substrate. It's on the outside of the 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)?
There are both types in the tank.
I use distilled fresh water and Fluker's soaking salt directions to make a salt water mix with the distilled water.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I currently have been combining fresh cut fruits and veggies with a little commercial food. It's replaced daily.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 2 crabs for 2 weeks. I am unsure of the species.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Unsure if they are currently molting.
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 with a glass lid.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2. One is slightly larger than the other. They both seem relatively small. I am unsure what constitutes small v large though.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I currently have 3 extra shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned it yet since the crabs could be molting.
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.)?
Not yet! We haven't seen the crabs sadly.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
We haven't seen either crab for 2 weeks. The first week we could tell the crabs or at least one of them was moving a little at night. The last week, I see 0 evidence they have moved around at all. The sand is undistrubed. The food and water show no signs a crab ate or entered the dish. The first week, we would see the sand look different or see the food slightly moved. Nothing for many days. I'm a bit worried about them but don't want to bother them if they are perhaps molting. Should I just assume they are fine? Do a welfare check? I'm just looking for tips on what to do. Thank you!
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
The substrate is a mix of play sand and coconut fiber. It's currently 3 inches deep. I want to make it deeper, but I am waiting for the hermit crabs to come out first.
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?
Yes. It's located inside the top corner of the tank. Humidity could be a little high? It usually reads 90-95. If I open the lid, the humidity gets too low. I'm not sure of the solve for high humidity. Temp sits between 75 and 80.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, we have a heat pad (I can't remember the exact name.) It's attached to the right side of the tank window above the substrate. It's on the outside of the 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)?
There are both types in the tank.
I use distilled fresh water and Fluker's soaking salt directions to make a salt water mix with the distilled water.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I currently have been combining fresh cut fruits and veggies with a little commercial food. It's replaced daily.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 2 crabs for 2 weeks. I am unsure of the species.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Unsure if they are currently molting.
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 with a glass lid.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2. One is slightly larger than the other. They both seem relatively small. I am unsure what constitutes small v large though.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I currently have 3 extra shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned it yet since the crabs could be molting.
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.)?
Not yet! We haven't seen the crabs sadly.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
We haven't seen either crab for 2 weeks. The first week we could tell the crabs or at least one of them was moving a little at night. The last week, I see 0 evidence they have moved around at all. The sand is undistrubed. The food and water show no signs a crab ate or entered the dish. The first week, we would see the sand look different or see the food slightly moved. Nothing for many days. I'm a bit worried about them but don't want to bother them if they are perhaps molting. Should I just assume they are fine? Do a welfare check? I'm just looking for tips on what to do. Thank you!
