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?
sand about 3 in 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?
No

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No

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)?
Both, the salt water is a pre mixed bottle specifically for hermit crabs and the fresh water is regular bottled water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
variety of fruits and veggies, replaced daily

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
5 months - PP

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, about a week ago.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Usually kept in a 10 gal tank but he is in a small container in iso right now.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Normally 2, one medium and one large, the medium one is in iso.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
3, but I think they're the wrong sizes

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
monthly, completely replace substrate

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?
I just switched the substrate to sand instead of wood chips from the pet store, I also just recently started providing my crabs with saltwater.

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 filled out an emergency form earlier this week and found out that I was doing virtually everything wrong so I have made a lot of changes recently.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
My crab did a surface molt most likely because he had the wrong substrate, and then the other crab kept bugging him and crawling on top of him and stuff so I moved the molting crab into iso. The next day I switched the substrate to sand and added salt water, he seemed lethargic but I thought it was normal because he had just molted. Today I came home and found him laying sideways in his water dish with his legs partly exposed, and seemed completely lifeless. I was worried about him suffocating so I moved him out of the water, but he just isn't moving at all and I feel like he's dead because even after he molts he usually will move around a little bit or at least react to being moved like this. I think that he just had a really difficult molt and too much stress from all the change. I'm really hoping the next time I check on him he's moved.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
sand about 3 in deep
Curly - Play sand is safe, it can be used alone or mixed with eco earth. It should be at least three times as deep as your largest crab. It should be moistened with dechlorinated water so that it will hold it's shape.

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?
No
Curly - A thermometer and hygrometer are essential. Crabs have modified gills, and need high humidity in order to breathe. Temperature and humidity should both be around 80.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No
Curly - Once you have a thermometer, you will know what you need for heat. Unless you live in a tropical climate, most of us use some source of heat. A heating pad - called an Under Tank Heater but mounted on the back or side of the tank - is most commonly used.

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)?
Both, the salt water is a pre mixed bottle specifically for hermit crabs and the fresh water is regular bottled water
Curly - Pre-mixed hermit crab water does not contain the minerals that crabs need for long term health. And bottled water is not regulated, and is kind of a crap shoot as to the actual composition. You will need to get a dechlorinator (Prime is a commonly used brand) to treat your tap water. And marine salt (Instant Ocean is a commonly used brand) to use for mixing the salt water.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
variety of fruits and veggies, replaced daily
Curly - Crabs need a varied diet. They require a source of protein and calcium daily.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
5 months - PP

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, about a week ago.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Usually kept in a 10 gal tank but he is in a small container in iso right now.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Normally 2, one medium and one large, the medium one is in iso.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
3, but I think they're the wrong sizes
Curly - HCA recommends at least 3 to 5 extra shells per crab. There are proper and improper shells to buy, the care sheet explains.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
monthly, completely replace substrate
Curly - Substrate does not need to be changed, unless there is a bacterial bloom or flood. Surface cleaning is enough otherwise, to remove poop and bits of food.

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?
I just switched the substrate to sand instead of wood chips from the pet store, I also just recently started providing my crabs with saltwater.

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 filled out an emergency form earlier this week and found out that I was doing virtually everything wrong so I have made a lot of changes recently.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
My crab did a surface molt most likely because he had the wrong substrate, and then the other crab kept bugging him and crawling on top of him and stuff so I moved the molting crab into iso. The next day I switched the substrate to sand and added salt water, he seemed lethargic but I thought it was normal because he had just molted. Today I came home and found him laying sideways in his water dish with his legs partly exposed, and seemed completely lifeless. I was worried about him suffocating so I moved him out of the water, but he just isn't moving at all and I feel like he's dead because even after he molts he usually will move around a little bit or at least react to being moved like this. I think that he just had a really difficult molt and too much stress from all the change. I'm really hoping the next time I check on him he's moved.
Curly - It's good that you moved him into iso. Did he eat his exoskeleton? What do you have in the iso with him?
There are a few things you still need to do, in order to ensure long term health. Have you had a look at the care sheets? Start with the 'basics' one, and go from there.