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 earth and play sand, around 10 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?
Humidity usually around 80-100%, temp around 78. They're located on the right side of my tank.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heating pad with a temp regulator

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 water, i use the recommended ratio on the back of the instant ocean bag. I use either prime or reptisafe for dechlorinating water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
They're fed a wide variety of bugs, veggies, fruits, seeds nuts, etc., and i fully repalce the food about once a week, sometimes i just add food inbetween days.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had this crab for around 2 years or so. The species is purple pincher.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
It molted a while ago, i can't really remember when. The shell theif came up from molting about a month ago though

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
One 40 gallon fish tank, with another 40 gallon reptile front open reptile tank on top. The lid is glass but there are vent holes on the front.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs currently, probably about 3 inches large

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Probably around 10 or so, i dont want to poke my head in and count while it's naked

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not that I'm aware of

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean the decor about once every few months, the food and water bowls every few weeks. Usually i use a vinegar water mix. I tried a chlorihexidine solution this time. I haven't ever changed the substrate (it's been probably 4 years since keeping crabs)

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges, but i do have ladders to help them climb in and out

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No, but i did use a chlorihexidne solution to clean the food and water bowls for the first time. I'm not sure if that would cause a problem

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 that i could think of

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Heard chirping last night, but sometimes they just do that without a reason. When i went to turn on the lights this morning i saw my purple pincher without a shell. In closer inspection i saw my ecuadorian a few inches above it with the pp's shell on. The e's shell was in the water dish. I went to scoop up the naked crab but he ran behind a big tank ornament, but i was able to grab the shell theif and put it in a temporary tank. The naked crab seems to be having a hard time moving around the tank without a shell, like he can't climb well. I went to pick him up but he hid himself behind something big that i can't see behind or grab at. I rinsed the extra shells off and put them near him.

Is there a safe way to pick up a naked crab? I was so nervous of hurting him, and i wanted to scoop him up with a cup, but he got away before i could.

Also how long should i wait before trying to pick him up again? I dont want to stress him out.

Your conditions look really good, nothing jumps out that needs improvement.

Have you checked out the 'naked crab' care sheet? It talks about scooping the crab into a container first, then gently picking it up. Maybe try something larger than a cup?

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 7&t=122302

I did read that care sheet, thanks. When I checked on the naked crab again, he was in the tub with all the shells, with one much to large for him. Maybe even too heavy? I saw his legs kind of sticking out but it looked like he was struggling to move it. Should i still put him in a separate tank surrounded by all the shells? Or should I just leave him for now?

Update: I moved him into an iso tank with a bunch of shells. He moved out of the shell that was way too big and now is in one... way too small. Should I just leave him in there? Or could I move him back to the original tank now?

I would put him in a small container, like a small bowl. A couple of mm of water in the bottom. And only 2 or 3 shells to choose from. Do you have any similar to the one that the E stole?

Sorry, I was typing at the same time as you were.

I do have some shells that at similar, but smaller i think. I didn't even realize all the shells i have vary in size so much... either too big or too small... at this point i can hear him moving around a lot in the container in the shell that's too small. It's been about an hour of him being in the same shell. Is it safe to put him back or should I leave him for longer?

You could put him back, and keep an eye on him.
Also read through the shells care sheet, to ensure you are offering the preferred types of shells for both types of crabs.