BROWN mites in hermit crab tank

[HermitCrabmomma616]

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?
Coco fiber about 5-6 inches

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 and 80 degrees f and 80-85% humidity and it’s located in the middle of the tank

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A couple heat mats around the tank cause it’s been cold outside

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)?
Salt and fresh I use prime and instant ocean

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Stuff from Etsy and my own mix I replace it every other day

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About 1-2 months and a purple pincher

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 planning to upgrade soon

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
1 large/jumbo crab

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Like 3 but getting more

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? just a wax melter near the tank


12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I scoop up old food every other day and change waters every 3 days

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?
A new shell from a sea website about 2 weeks ago

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.)?
There’s springtails and isopods in the tank and the mites are normally on the food and now there in the substrate there the color of the substrate so brown and I haven’t seen them on my crab yet but there’s millions of them all over

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.


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[HermitCrabmomma616]

IF there harmless how do I get rid of them because I don’t want them out competing my isopods or spring tails

[aussieJJDude]

They are harmless. Youll likely find there is no point trying to get rid of them, mites are naturally present within the home and they'll come back if you got rid of them. Most likely one species will outcompete the others, which is common regardless of the setup. Not a whole lot you can do IMO.

[HermitCrabmomma616]

Ok thank you very much that’s a big sigh of relief