Haven't Seen a Hermit Crab in 2 Weeks. Already starting to smell something from their Tank

[RenDucaden]

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?
I'm using a mix of half Zoo Med Hermit Soil with 5lb of Vita Sand and Reptile Sand. So far it measures up to 4 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?
I'm using a Zoo Med Glow in the Dark Temperature and Humidity Gauge on the right side the of the tank. It's always steadily reading around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 80% humidity.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I'm using a 5 inch heat mat on the back of their tank. Somehow it's keeping the temperature at a constant 80 degrees.

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)?
I'm using both freshwater and saltwater. I've been using the conditioners that came with the Zoo Med Hermit Crab Kit and Thrive branded saltwater/freshwater for about a week before I started boiling tap water and mixing it with the Thrive brand Saltwater conditioner. They call for two drops per 8 ounces (1 cup)

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
At first I've given them the pellet food that was provided in the kit, but I started giving them granola mixes, scrambled eggs, eggshells, pineapples, strawberries, carrots, and kale for the past 3 weeks. I often replace them every morning, but they seem not to eat too much of it.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
For almost about 3 weeks

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I'm not entirely sure yet.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
They're being kept inside a Zoo Med Reptile Hermit Crab 10 Gallon Tank. I couldn't find a suitable glass lid for it, so I've made a makeshift lid using some cardboard wrapped with plastic wrap for the past weeks. It seems to hold the humidity really well.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
I currently have two. One small and another medium sized. I didn't get to see their genders, but I was planning on calling the small one Shy Guy II/Shy Girl and the bigger one Jeanne/John.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I brought a shell mix from Michaels and I'm currently keeping 3-4 types of shells inside of it.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't since I first got the tank, but I often wipe down the condensation on the glass.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
There are no sponges.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
I've been changing some minor stuff around. I've added a coconut fiber climbing wall in the back of the tank, which is being held up by suction cups. I've tried using a hamster saucer dish inside, but I wanted to make sure that everything's ok before I bury it into the substrate and make it easier for them to climb onto.

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 haven't bathe them ever since I brought them home, and I'm not sure if it's too late for me to do so. I've also read online that the sand I used for them were calcium based, and I'm not sure if and how I should replace it while they're still under the substrate.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
So 3 weeks ago I brought two hermit crabs from Petsmart along with the Zoo Med ReptiHabitat Hermit Crab Habitat and other essential items I thought they'll need. The person there told me to have a tank of both eco earth and sand, as well as 4-5 inches of substrate. I brought them back and began to prepare the tank by cleaning it with bleach and having it dried out for an hour. I also mixed the eco earth that was in the kit along with the saltwater conditioner. Unfortunately I had to use the whole bottle, but we got more a few days after.

I put the tank together with some coconut fiber climbing background buried into the substrate. They both seemed to love the climbing background in the tank as they were constantly on it during the day. The night after I finished their tank the bigger one climbed behind the coconut fiber climbing background, but I hadn't noticed until the next morning. Thinking it was stuck, I picked him out and put them inside the hut decoration. I began researching some possible tips online (including things said here) and I didn't realize that you had to literally mix the eco earth with the sand, and I had one side all eco earth and the other side all sand. It was then that I had to remove the climbing background and mix the sand with the eco earth inside.

The day soon after, it began to bury themselves under the new substrate and that was the last I've seen of them. I kept monitoring them in my room and it only seems like the smaller one is eating most of the food I laid out for them. I can't say for sure that the bigger one came back up at all, since the smaller one had literally covered the hole that the bigger one made inside the hut. I've read online that most crabs do this to destress or begin to go through their molting process, so I just assumed they were doing either one and left them alone for the next few days. The next few weeks I've been doing a daily routine of checking their tank and replacing any food that got eaten. I also started to place their bowls every three days, but neither of them seem to want to soak or drink inside them.

I think a few days ago that afternoon, I started hearing some feint tapping from the tank. I know it wasn't the small one because they were inside their shell for the entire day. I wasn't sure if it was the bigger one tapping on the glass or something else in the tank, and I was assured that it was doing fine. It wasn't until yesterday when I cleaned out their bowls that I noticed little hole marks underneath the saltwater bowl. I was concerned seeing that they were probably trying to find a way onto the surface but got stuck underneath the bowl this whole time, so I moved it to the center of the tank instead of the right side. The more concerning thing was smell coming out from it. Now, from what I've read, if it starts to smell like rotten fish or something, then it's presumed that the crab died. I can't say for sure what dead fish smells like, but I know it's starting to smell from their tank. I also wasn't sure that it was coming from the substrate, the salt water, or the crab themselves.

I was this close to dig them up to see, but I know not to ever do that in any situation unless it was an emergency. The next best thing that I did was putting my ear up to glass to hear if anything was moving around inside the substrate, and sure enough I started hearing burying sounds from it. The big one is probably still under there digging around and I was relieved to see that it was still moving, despite not hearing from him since a few days ago. This morning when I replaced their food bowl, I noticed that the smell began becoming stronger. The smaller one decided to now bury itself in the corner of the substrate (presumably to begin molting) and I wasn't sure if it was the smaller one or the bigger one making noises. I'm really starting to become concerned because I'm not sure if I should try and dig up the bigger one while the smaller one is burying itself now. What should I even do? This is my first time setting up a tank for them and I'm not entirely sure if I messed it up that much

.

[myllkti]

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?
I'm using a mix of half Zoo Med Hermit Soil with 5lb of Vita Sand and Reptile Sand. So far it measures up to 4 inches.

[myllkti]

My message was so much longer and thorough

[myllkti]

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?
I'm using a mix of half Zoo Med Hermit Soil with 5lb of Vita Sand and Reptile Sand. So far it measures up to 4 inches.

[myllkti]

Sorry for double notification I will try one last time

[myllkti]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? [/color][/i]
I'm using a mix of half Zoo Med Hermit Soil with 5lb of Vita Sand and Reptile Sand. So far it measures up to 4 inches.

Myllkti - the Hermit Soil seems fine, but the Vita Sand is colored and also seems to be calcium sand from a quick search? Not familiar with it so maybe not, but the bright colors are def a bit worrying

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?
I'm using a Zoo Med Glow in the Dark Temperature and Humidity Gauge on the right side the of the tank. It's always steadily reading around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 80% humidity.

Myllkti - unfortunately those aren’t very accurate It’s a good sign that at least something says there’s enough temp and humidity, but to be safe I’d get a digital one, like Acurite which is about $10 on amazon last I checked

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I'm using a 5 inch heat mat on the back of their tank. Somehow it's keeping the temperature at a constant 80 degrees.

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)?
I'm using both freshwater and saltwater. I've been using the conditioners that came with the Zoo Med Hermit Crab Kit and Thrive branded saltwater/freshwater for about a week before I started boiling tap water and mixing it with the Thrive brand Saltwater conditioner. They call for two drops per 8 ounces (1 cup)

Myllkti - I’m not familiar with these brands. They mayyy be fine, but considering they came from the same kit that gave you such brightly colored sand I’d maybe do some more research on what they contain or just used Seachem Prime and instant Ocean. If ou do go the research route first, the salt should be marine and not aquarium. Here’s. Link with a lot more info on what it needs to be able to do https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 27&t=92553

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
At first I've given them the pellet food that was provided in the kit, but I started giving them granola mixes, scrambled eggs, eggshells, pineapples, strawberries, carrots, and kale for the past 3 weeks. I often replace them every morning, but they seem not to eat too much of it.

Myllkti - the pellets are most likely toxic but it’s good you have variety. Try to give protein as often as you can

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
For almost about 3 weeks

[7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I'm not entirely sure yet.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
They're being kept inside a Zoo Med Reptile Hermit Crab 10 Gallon Tank. I couldn't find a suitable glass lid for it, so I've made a makeshift lid using some cardboard wrapped with plastic wrap for the past weeks. It seems to hold the humidity really well.

Myllkti - glad you made it work

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
I currently have two. One small and another medium sized. I didn't get to see their genders, but I was planning on calling the small one Shy Guy II/Shy Girl and the bigger one Jeanne/John.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I brought a shell mix from Michaels and I'm currently keeping 3-4 types of shells inside of it.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't since I first got the tank, but I often wipe down the condensation on the glass.

Myllkti - Ok! Just as a precautionary note, I’ll just say now you don’t have to replace sub unless there’s a flood, bacterial bloom, or infestation once you have good sub set up (I would replace your sub with that bright calcium sand)

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
There are no sponges.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
I've been changing some minor stuff around. I've added a coconut fiber climbing wall in the back of the tank, which is being held up by suction cups. I've tried using a hamster saucer dish inside, but I wanted to make sure that everything's ok before I bury it into the substrate and make it easier for them to climb onto.

Myllkti - cool! Glad they’re getting more climbing and hiding things! Keep up the effort giving them as many opportunities for enrichment as you can!

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 haven't bathe them ever since I brought them home, and I'm not sure if it's too late for me to do so. I've also read online that the sand I used for them were calcium based, and I'm not sure if and how I should replace it while they're still under the substrate.

Myllkti- It’s fine you haven’t bathed them yet! There are few circumstances during which you would do that, like you would for new crabs into a pre established tank but since you got them together it’s fine. Bathing them unnecessarily messes up their water ratios. Leave it for now I think, someone else may weigh in, but I think they’ve already been exposed and buried, and it is the right consistency at least, so they can still come out, and if it’s already stuck on them digging now won’t change that

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
So 3 weeks ago I brought two hermit crabs from Petsmart along with the Zoo Med ReptiHabitat Hermit Crab Habitat and other essential items I thought they'll need. The person there told me to have a tank of both eco earth and sand, as well as 4-5 inches of substrate. I brought them back and began to prepare the tank by cleaning it with bleach and having it dried out for an hour. I also mixed the eco earth that was in the kit along with the saltwater conditioner. Unfortunately I had to use the whole bottle, but we got more a few days after.

Myllkti - it should have at least 6 in of sub until your rab grows into a shell larger than 2 in, then it should be 3x the shell of your largest crab

I put the tank together with some coconut fiber climbing background buried into the substrate. They both seemed to love the climbing background in the tank as they were constantly on it during the day. The night after I finished their tank the bigger one climbed behind the coconut fiber climbing background, but I hadn't noticed until the next morning. Thinking it was stuck, I picked him out and put them inside the hut decoration. I began researching some possible tips online (including things said here) and I didn't realize that you had to literally mix the eco earth with the sand, and I had one side all eco earth and the other side all sand. It was then that I had to remove the climbing background and mix the sand with the eco earth inside.

Myllkti - you don’t! I mean it helps if you do as the composite has the best f both worlds so that’s generally the point of having two, but some crabbers do do it pure one or the other. As you’re a beginner, I would def recommend mixing to minimize issues


Sorry but I have to go now! I’ll finish later or someone else can jump in:)

[myllkti]

Yes it worked!

[RenDucaden]

Oh you're fine! Thanks so much for the feedback so far, but it's been more or less what I've heard or seen about. Right now I'm considering getting a better hydrometer/thermometer at some point, as well as the Instant Ocean Salt if it's available around my area. If not, I can just order some online.

My main concern is the smell. I'm certain that it could be just the substrate at this point or the saltwater mixed within it, but because they're under the substrate the smell of the potentially dead crab could be masked by it.

So far I haven't heard anything since the incident, and I'm growing more and more concerned as the days pass.
Maybe it's just beginning to molt, but I'm really trying to see what I could do at the moment to make sure it goes through the process without disturbing/stressing it so much.

[myllkti]

Ah ok, sorry not to be able to add new perspective and that I haven’t got to your main concern yet My next class is showing a movie so I can maybe finish looking through the response form then

[myllkti]

The day soon after, it began to bury themselves under the new substrate and that was the last I've seen of them. I kept monitoring them in my room and it only seems like the smaller one is eating most of the food I laid out for them. I can't say for sure that the bigger one came back up at all, since the smaller one had literally covered the hole that the bigger one made inside the hut. I've read online that most crabs do this to destress or begin to go through their molting process, so I just assumed they were doing either one and left them alone for the next few days. The next few weeks I've been doing a daily routine of checking their tank and replacing any food that got eaten. I also started to place their bowls every three days, but neither of them seem to want to soak or drink inside them.

Myllkti - That all sounds normal! The distressing etc, and they may not feel comfortable using food or water around you yet

I think a few days ago that afternoon, I started hearing some feint tapping from the tank. I know it wasn't the small one because they were inside their shell for the entire day. I wasn't sure if it was the bigger one tapping on the glass or something else in the tank, and I was assured that it was doing fine. It wasn't until yesterday when I cleaned out their bowls that I noticed little hole marks underneath the saltwater bowl. I was concerned seeing that they were probably trying to find a way onto the surface but got stuck underneath the bowl this whole time, so I moved it to the center of the tank instead of the right side. The more concerning thing was smell coming out from it. Now, from what I've read, if it starts to smell like rotten fish or something, then it's presumed that the crab died. I can't say for sure what dead fish smells like, but I know it's starting to smell from their tank. I also wasn't sure that it was coming from the substrate, the salt water, or the crab themselves.

Myllkti - If you’ve ever been near the seafood section of a supermarket, that’s what it would smell like, or like overly strong and fake-smelling crab meat, or a mix. The saltwater shouldn’t smell if you replace regularly for sure, nor should the sub smell. However, a buried crab who died would not smell as it would be blocked by the sub. Perhaps they stole away some food and that could be the smell - does it smell like either thing I said above, or something else entirely?

(There’s nothing specific I wanted to point out in the next paragraph so I’m just going to end here )

[RenDucaden]

As far as I know, it's not as strong as something like a seafood section. I can't say for sure if it's because the coconut fiber or any of the other decorations, but I'm sure it didn't have that smell to it weeks ago.

[RenDucaden]

Update:

So just checked back after I got some Instant Ocean and Prime conditioner and I noticed the smell had gotten stronger. I think it's now beginning to smell like seafood and some yellow stuff started appearing on the right side here:


And here's what a portion of the substrate in another area looks like:


Even worse, my smaller crab just got out of their shell inside their small hole and started burrowing underneath the substrate too. It looks like it's beginning to molt. I'm starting to become really scared, what should I even do? Should I let them be and wait until the smaller crab comes out from their molt before I do something?

[myllkti]

If the smaller crab is naked please reshell it! https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 7&t=122302

[RenDucaden]

Well the problem is it already burrowed far deep into the substrate that I would have to manually dig it up, but if do, I might end up harming it or disturb the possibly dead hermit crab as well. I really don't know what to do besides pray that they turn out ok. The shell is already deep in the hole to pull it out

[RenDucaden]

Actually, my mistake! Seems like the smaller one was in it's she'll the whole time! It just looked like it was shell-less, but it just means that I was hearing the other crab in the tank this whole time...