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?
5 to 1 sand and eco earth

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?
Temp is 77 and humidity is now at 60 from opening its normally sets between 70 and 80

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heating pads on back of tank

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 and the bottles from pet store not the like water bottles but the kind you mix with water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Fresh veggies and hermit crab food off etsy changed every other to every 3 days

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Since January I think and idk what kind

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, about a couple weeks ago. Had to dig him up due to ants really bad

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
40 gal breeder glass lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 medium to large

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
At least 5 but right now I am waiting on bigger ones to arrive

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
When I see things

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 moved everything from old tank after boiling it

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.
My crab was in his shell an hour ago and now he won't get into a shell. And won't let me grab him to isolate him

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Where is he now? If you’re not comfortable bare-handing him you can use a container or cup to scoop him up.


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If you’re not comfortable touching him (make sure you wash your hands first) you can scoop a little under the sand he’s on with a spoon so you don’t injure his body with it to put him in a small dish with dechlorinated water just barely filling the bottom (just enough to keep him moist and not dry out) . Then make sure the shell he was in is clean and free of debris as he could have a rock or ant or something inside that was bothering him, put his shell and a few other options in the bowl with him, rinse any sand or debris off him and leave him be, he should return to the shell within an hour or so. During that time check for injuries, mites, shell rot, etc that could’ve caused him to leave. Also make sure his shell is not too small or large (give him his own shell and a smaller and bigger one) also check your tanks temp and humidity as they can leave their shells if they get too hot or cold, they need a warm and cool side of the tank to regulate their body temp and if one or both sides are too low or too high, too humid or not humid enough, that could be the cause and when fixed he could take back his shell. It is imperative to get him back into a shell though as his body is exposed to the air, light, and everything else it’s normally shielded from by the shell. Stress is another reason it could’ve left it’s shell like the stress of moving into a new home or environment. Lastly are you sure it wasn’t shell jacked by another crab wanting its shell? Regardless the method above if you can get him iso’ed can/should work if the reason is environmental and you checked or fixed all above issues.Last issue or reason I can think of why it’s leave it’s shell is the reason I’m really hoping is not the one, is that due to certain health issues or natural/unnatural causes a crab will sometimes evacuate their shells when dying. Before assuming the worst tho I’d check the issues above and try that method, he could also maybe just maybe be attempting a surface molt but he sounds a little too active for that. Did you just dig him up from molting recently though?

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
5 to 1 sand and eco earth
Curly - How deep is it? Is it moistened so that it holds 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?
Temp is 77 and humidity is now at 60 from opening its normally sets between 70 and 80

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heating pads on back of tank

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 and the bottles from pet store not the like water bottles but the kind you mix with water
Curly - Crabs need both fresh and salt water. The fresh can be tap water, it should be treated with a dechlorinator; Seachem Prime is a commonly used brand, but there are others that are appropriate as well. Then for the salt water, you will need to add a marine salt; Instant Ocean is a commonly used brand, but again there are others as well. The 'water' care sheet tells you everything you need to know about water.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Fresh veggies and hermit crab food off etsy changed every other to every 3 days
Curly - Be sure that they have protein and calcium daily.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Since January I think and idk what kind

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, about a couple weeks ago. Had to dig him up due to ants really bad

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
40 gal breeder glass lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 medium to large

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
At least 5 but right now I am waiting on bigger ones to arrive
Curly - HCA recommends 3 to 5 extra shells per crab. Be sure to read the 'shells' care sheet, which explains proper types of shells to buy.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
When I see things

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 moved everything from old tank after boiling it

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.
My crab was in his shell an hour ago and now he won't get into a shell. And won't let me grab him to isolate him.
Curly - A naked crab will die. The care sheet below explains everything to do to get a crab back into a shell, as well as some of the possible reasons why. Your crab may be too weak to carry a shell, from being dug up from his molt. Be sure to give some really high energy foods, like honey and peanut butter for a quick energy boost.
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