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?
Flukers beach 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, surface level and top , 74-79 , 78-85% hum.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
3 pads on outside of tank only slightly below sand line
portable heater in front of tank area during winter to keep chill off.

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 water (spring)
salt (self mixed spring water-instant ocean)

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
fresh organic fruits/veggies weekly
jurassix.blend, fluker blood worms meal, mineral blocks, egg shells, eggs

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
8 years PP smallish

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I believe he went down for a molt over a month ago , usually takes him 2-3 weeks.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
tank, 10 gallon? mesh with saran wrap, towel over at night to trap heat, regular living room lamp on top during day.(they live in living room )

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

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
15-20

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
rarely, I spot clean
I did a sand change the month before after a bad ant infestation , posted a few times here since I got some play sand they didn't seem to like.

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?
Flukers beach substate, a piece of cholla wood same time

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.)?
I usually see them both hanging out, the one that is not missing has gotten much bigger than the other on the month before

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
one of my crabs is long over due to be coming back up from a molt. I've heard no movement and no responses to yummy treats added it
. Completely characteristic of him. They also usually molt around the same time.
Should I go digging and look for him to make sure he's not trapped somewhere?
He seemed to get stuck one time before last year, I found him under a food bowl and when I let him out he acted very happy to be free.

I do think the other crab that mysteriously has started to get larger after 8 years, has not been nice to him about shells.... Even though they have plenty.

Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

.

Crabs should grow fairly quickly, after 8 years I would expect him to be at least a large by now, no matter how small he was when you got him. If he's never gotten any larger that is a concern.

As they get older and bigger, they will take more time to molt. Average is two months, especially for a crab of this age, but can be upwards of four.

They grew but they never got as big as some of the big ones I see online. They moved up from small nickel size shells to I shells to shells shows that are about the 2.5-3 inches and 1 inch openings if that makes sense. They seem pretty happy, always hanging out in out in running around the tank, The one that has not gone down to molt yet seems to fluctuate in size week to week almost. Some weeks he will look really bulky and muscular, other weeks his legs look thinner. (he is more orange than the other so easy to tell apart).
Can you help me understand how big they are supposed to be? Maybe I need to get a bigger tank for them.. I believe I have a 10 gallon.

Anyone have any suggestions if I should look for this crab to check on him or not? Of course I am tempted because this is not like his normal behavior. My mom got is telling me something is wrong. But I am always worried about them. Thank you in advance

Okay, that's a good amount of growth and if the shells are that big then he probably is an extra-large! A 10 sounds a little cramped for them but if they're doing well you may not need an upgrade yet. Crabs will utilize whatever space you can provide though, so they would likely enjoy being able to spread out more if you can.

We never recommend digging before four months. Obviously they're your crabs, but they can and do stay down for months on end

I agree - listen to Wode, don't dig for at least four months. I have had mine come up for just a few hours - and if I hadn't happened to be in the room and seen them up during those couple of hours, I would have thought they were down for 5 1/2 months continuously.

Thank you for the advice! I have not gone digging. Though I am concerned since wondering if there was a big fight about shells or Something else in the days before his disappearance. Looking back through pictures I took, it did seem like the one who got bigger was being a little aggressive with him in their interactions.

They usually malt at the same time or very close to it... So this is very strange. I only have 2 sof 2 so this one has been left alone now for about 45 days without his buddy. I'm almost wondering if I should look to adopt a 3rd crab so that he can have a friend until his buddy decides to come up. (if that is the case). My mom gut is telling me he is dead or has gotten scared of his long-time friend who seems to have suddenly turned on him. I will be very happily surprised if he does come up sometime. I've been checking every morning for the past 3 weeks and even putting different types of foods in to try to entice him.

How long can they be without a buddy around before it affects them? I know they like to have at least one other crab around. It's been 45 days I'm worried hes going to get lonely. I just got him some new shells so hopefully that will help to keep him occupied, hes been shell hopping often.

Hello123 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:12 pm

How long can they be without a buddy around before it affects them? I know they like to have at least one other crab around. It's been 45 days I'm worried hes going to get lonely. I just got him some new shells so hopefully that will help to keep him occupied, hes been shell hopping often.

Look up Johnathan Livingston Crab. I think he lived more than half his ~40yrs by himself. I wouldn't add any more to a 10g setup. Not only is the footprint tiny, there's not enough height for climbing decor once you have a suitable substrate depth in the tank.

Thanks for input. !
Also notable have 6 inches of sand, before only had about 4 so that worries me too since is more and heavier if tunnel crashes. Sand is wet but with the other so active who knows.

I have read about Jon Livingston the crab in the past. From what I understand he also had a is a sister crab with him named Kate for 35 years. Also if you remember ber learning about him and his owner, she is like a companion for him whereas whereas he actually roams the house freely most of the time, And spends most of his time out of the cage with her - which is a bit unique. Not a relationship I could offer my Levvy, though they both come to my hand when in the tank out of curiosity. I'm still hoping Mr. Crabs comes back up eventually.

He Has come back up, finally! A beautiful dark red/purple, but still in old shell. Hoping he will upgrade like his brother to a larger since I'm sure he's likely grown. He's hiding so haven't had a good look at him yet.