Accidentally disturbed a molter.
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 6:43 pm
This is more just me checking in to make sure I did not miss anything else I should do.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I have a mixture or EE leaflitter and sand but do not remember the exact ratio. I do know it is about 6 to 7 inches deep.
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 I have a digital gage located currently in the front of my tank. Temps read between 78 and 80. Humidity usuay 75 to 80 depending on how recently I opened the lid or rfreshed the substrate or water bowls ect....
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes I use the Zoomed heat mats on the back 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)?
I have fresh and salt water avaliable. I use API declornator as it is what I have in hand for my fish and Instant Ocean for my salt.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Mixture
I try to follow the hermit crab food pyramid. All food is fresh for the most part. Changed as needed. Usually a weekly to every few days basis.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had my lone EE for 7 years. He is a small to medium crab.
I have had his companion a small PP for about 2 or 3 years now.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
This crab is currently molting. But the last time was a few months ago.
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. A bit small I know. But so are they right now. Ive had no problems or signs of aggression. I know EE are reconended for bigger tanks. I have a full aquarium hood covering.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2. Small to Medium.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Standard 3 to 5 shells rotated once a week. I do not keep shells in my tank all week but only on the weekends to simulate them coming across shells in the wild amd give them some stimmilation. I have never seen any signs of shell aggression amd have been doing this for a year nkw. If anytjimg I see more active intrest in shells as well as acticly trying on shells were before they were kind of ignored.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Daily Chores consist on checking gauge and toppong off water, changing food of needed
Weekly Chores consist of changing out and washing the food dish and water dishes
By-Weekly Chores: Wiping down the inside and outsode of the tank with declorinated fresh water.
Monthly: rewetting sunstrate if needed
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?
Some new locally sorced and cleaned oak wood at the beginning of the year. Cleaned it by boiling it in saltwater for five minites to kill any pests.
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.)?
Though it is not recommended about twice a year I bathe my surface crabs and check them over for missing limbs/general health. I only do this to surfaced crabs. I also if both are up rearange a few things in the crabitat to keep the envoroment stimulating.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I was picking up the lightweight paint pallet I use as their food dish amd discovered the EE had dug up under it and was molting apparently. As the dish was not burried it sort of suprised me. As I needed to clean the dish because the food was old I placed a hide over the spot and blocked the entrance but otherwise did not touch or disturbs him. Just wondering if there is anything else I could do. Both recently went down about a week ago after a highly active night. So I am not worried about another crab finding him persay. Just a concerned crab mama.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I have a mixture or EE leaflitter and sand but do not remember the exact ratio. I do know it is about 6 to 7 inches deep.
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 I have a digital gage located currently in the front of my tank. Temps read between 78 and 80. Humidity usuay 75 to 80 depending on how recently I opened the lid or rfreshed the substrate or water bowls ect....
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes I use the Zoomed heat mats on the back 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)?
I have fresh and salt water avaliable. I use API declornator as it is what I have in hand for my fish and Instant Ocean for my salt.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Mixture
I try to follow the hermit crab food pyramid. All food is fresh for the most part. Changed as needed. Usually a weekly to every few days basis.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had my lone EE for 7 years. He is a small to medium crab.
I have had his companion a small PP for about 2 or 3 years now.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
This crab is currently molting. But the last time was a few months ago.
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. A bit small I know. But so are they right now. Ive had no problems or signs of aggression. I know EE are reconended for bigger tanks. I have a full aquarium hood covering.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2. Small to Medium.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Standard 3 to 5 shells rotated once a week. I do not keep shells in my tank all week but only on the weekends to simulate them coming across shells in the wild amd give them some stimmilation. I have never seen any signs of shell aggression amd have been doing this for a year nkw. If anytjimg I see more active intrest in shells as well as acticly trying on shells were before they were kind of ignored.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Daily Chores consist on checking gauge and toppong off water, changing food of needed
Weekly Chores consist of changing out and washing the food dish and water dishes
By-Weekly Chores: Wiping down the inside and outsode of the tank with declorinated fresh water.
Monthly: rewetting sunstrate if needed
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?
Some new locally sorced and cleaned oak wood at the beginning of the year. Cleaned it by boiling it in saltwater for five minites to kill any pests.
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.)?
Though it is not recommended about twice a year I bathe my surface crabs and check them over for missing limbs/general health. I only do this to surfaced crabs. I also if both are up rearange a few things in the crabitat to keep the envoroment stimulating.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I was picking up the lightweight paint pallet I use as their food dish amd discovered the EE had dug up under it and was molting apparently. As the dish was not burried it sort of suprised me. As I needed to clean the dish because the food was old I placed a hide over the spot and blocked the entrance but otherwise did not touch or disturbs him. Just wondering if there is anything else I could do. Both recently went down about a week ago after a highly active night. So I am not worried about another crab finding him persay. Just a concerned crab mama.