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?
Coconut 1/5 and play sand 4/5
4-5 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 and temp guages located in top left corner
75-80 for both

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
None yet as it's warm here. Will add heater to side later.

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 (instant ocean)
Declorinated with Aqueon Beta Bowl Plus

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Veges, fruits, oatmeal, meats, other fresh food we eat, crab food from store

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

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No

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, wood lid wrapped in plastic wrap

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

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6-8

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Spot cleaned 2-3 times per week

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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

Out crabs have been becoming less active over the one month we have had them. They started out exploring, changed shells, and then were shy for about 3 weeks.
Then they became more active at night until about a week ago. Coral has been in the same spot now in the Moss pit for a week without moving. I have checked on her at night and no change. I put a small food bowl near her and she did eat out of it on the second day she was in the space, but I haven't seen her move in about 6 days now. Our second crab, Hermie, has remained active through yesterday. Now he isn't really doing much either. He is in a second moss pit. I do know he was out for a few minutes the last couple of days, but not like he used to. I just don't know what to do about Coral. I'm concerned that Hermie will become depressed if I don't get him another crab to be with, but I know I should not have three crabs in this tank. How do I know if Coral is dying? I don't smell any odd smells in there. I'm just afraid to move her in case she is having anxiety and will bounce out of it if left alone.
.

The two used to sleep near each other nightly. Now Hermie never goes up top by Coral.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Coconut 1/5 and play sand 4/5
4-5 inches deep
Curly - Is it moistened with dechlorinated water so that it is sand castle consistency?

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 and temp guages located in top left corner
75-80 for both

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
None yet as it's warm here. Will add heater to side later.

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 (instant ocean)
Declorinated with Aqueon Beta Bowl Plus

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Veges, fruits, oatmeal, meats, other fresh food we eat, crab food from store
Curly - Be sure to check the ingredients in the 'crab food' if it is pellets, to be sure there are not additives/ preservatives that could be harmful long term. Crabs also need a source of calcium daily.

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

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No

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, wood lid wrapped in plastic wrap

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

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6-8

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Spot cleaned 2-3 times per week

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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

Out crabs have been becoming less active over the one month we have had them. They started out exploring, changed shells, and then were shy for about 3 weeks.
Then they became more active at night until about a week ago. Coral has been in the same spot now in the Moss pit for a week without moving. I have checked on her at night and no change. I put a small food bowl near her and she did eat out of it on the second day she was in the space, but I haven't seen her move in about 6 days now. Our second crab, Hermie, has remained active through yesterday. Now he isn't really doing much either. He is in a second moss pit. I do know he was out for a few minutes the last couple of days, but not like he used to. I just don't know what to do about Coral. I'm concerned that Hermie will become depressed if I don't get him another crab to be with, but I know I should not have three crabs in this tank. How do I know if Coral is dying? I don't smell any odd smells in there. I'm just afraid to move her in case she is having anxiety and will bounce out of it if left alone.
Curly - There are a few things that could be going on. Your crab could just be slower in comparison to how active it was. It could be preparing to molt either underground or on the surface. Or it could be dying. Crabs go through a lot before we get them. Your conditions look good, nothing that would be an immediate cause jumps out at me. If your substrate is not moistened, be sure to do that, so the crab can dig if it needs to molt. Otherwise, all you can do is wait and keep providing ideal conditions. Read through the Post Purchase Syndrome care sheet, it give info on what could be going on. If she does pass away, she will start to smell awful pretty quickly, and will likely fall out of the shell if picked up. There is also a care sheet called 'how to tell if my crab is molting or dying' that may be helpful to you. If you think she is weak or might be surface molting, you may want to isolate her from your other crab.

Definitely do not add another crab; crabs are cannibals--if these two need to molt, which is very likely to try to repair all the damage done to them by being abused into captivity, new crabs could consider them a free meal.

Thanks for all of the advice. We'll wait and see what happens.

Crabs are good teachers of patience. Be prepared to leave them alone, just keeping the conditions as good as you can make them, for several days to several weeks.

Coral is alive! She ventured out last night and even changed shells! Thank you for your advice.