Shell Wars & 2 Shallow Molts
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 12:00 am
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?
In Krabooz (Krabuze!)
The substrate is whatever the pet shop sells with the Krabuze heck-box. It’s VERY shallow & I don’t think it’s ever been cleaned out or topped up.
New Tank (20g):
5:1 mix of play-sand & peat-moss, 6” deep but will probably make it 7-8” on one side.
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 only have the Krabuze thermometer/hygrometer. I plan to get a better model as soon as $$ allow.
When I got the crabs, the temp ‘tank’ was sitting at 16-17C. There are 2 x Krabooz 5w heat pads on the back of the tank that do exactly nothing.
They’re currently on the chest of drawers in my bedroom.
I’ve wrapped the tank in 2 layers of alfoil and then in my electric blanket & have managed to slowly get the heat up 22-24.
Humidity drops to about 60% when I open the door for water/food, but I spray it with lukewarm spring water and it gets back up to 80% pretty fast.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
- 2 x Krabooz 5w heat matz (back of tank)
- 2 x layers of alfoil (tin foil) on back & sides
- 1 x electric blanket wrapped around entire tank (I move it off the lid & front during the day so they can get some natural light without also freezing.
In 20 gallon: I have a 21w 10” x 20.75” seed starter heat mat that I’m going to attach to the back of the tank(above substrate).
I will then insulate with alfoil/bubble wrap/foam board where possible
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 spring water + fresh spring water with ‘krabooz saltz’ changed daily.
Thanks to this site, I’ve just found out that bottled water & ‘saltz’ are NOT to be used. Is there anything else ‘around the house’ I could use? I won’t be able to afford Seachem Prime & API Aquarium Salt C11 until next weekend.
I’m hoping that since they’ve survived for a year (roughly) on this crappy diet with saltz & spring water, they might last a week longer til I can get the right stuff?
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed them a variety of foods from the Safe Food List on here. Fresh fruit, fresh veg, oats/other grains, nuts & I’ve just tried them on some apple baby food.
Their food is changed daily, along with their water.
When I got them, they’d been living on crab pellets & a Krabooz dry mix, with the occasional scrap of lettuce chucked in.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About a week. All 4 appear to be Australian Hermit Crabs.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I think 1 crab is molting; the top of its shell is just visible (it’s one of those horrible Krabooz painted shells). A second crab has just burrowed down so might be molting as well.
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 currently in abhorrent conditions. 4 x small-med sized crabs in one Krabuze container. It’s way too small, there’s no space to roam and it doesn’t allow for enough substrate to dig.
New Tank:
75L (20 g)
600 mm across (23”)
365 mm high (14”)
320 mm deep (12”)
I’m hoping I can heat it up fast and transfer the 3 crabs that aren’t molting, so the molting one can stay on its own in the Krabooz.
The only lid I have is a plastic tote lid. I’m going to cover that in clingwrap (Saran Wrap) + whatever else it needs to retain humidity & heat, but still be reachable to change food and water. I saw some cool stuff on here that I can probably copy!
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 Crabs - ranging from 1”-2.5”
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
There have only been 4 painted ‘Krabooz’ shells. I happened to have a spare shell that I added to the collection and one of the larger crabs changed almost immediately. Today I heard ‘chittering’ coming from the tank. The other big crab was fighting with the changed-shell crab (I’m assuming it was over the shell). I moved the aggressive crab to the opposite side of the tank and added 5 more natural shells (which were cooling off from being boiled). There hasn’t been any chittering since so all seems well (as well as it can be in the 7th circle of heck).
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not since I’ve had them. Before that I don’t know.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I don’t think it’s ever been cleaned. I didn’t want to add more substrate or anything coz I didn’t want to encourage a molt before I could get them in to the tank.
They have a clean tank to move into tonight/as soon as it’s warm enough. While I’m waiting for it to warm, I’ll set up all the other ‘bits’ - water pools, hides, shells + extra shells coming soon, and tonnes of varied food every day. I think that as soon as they realise they can burrow they’ll all go down to molt. (Both water pools will sit in a larger container so the substrate underneath isn’t disturbed. Food plate will sit on top of another plate as well.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges. Just spring water/spring water with ‘saltz’ - changed daily.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
A few more shells, better food, and a hide made from a margarine container (which I rinsed out with boiling water, washed with earth choice dishwashing liquid, rinsed thoroughly again, then re-rinsed with spring water and vinegar solution & let air dry).
This was because their Krabooz hut didn’t fit the 4 of them. Once 4 of them were in there, they couldn’t get out! They seem to like the margarine cave very much as all 4 are usually hanging out in or around there since. (Except for today with shell-wars and a molt).
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.)?
Long story short, I ‘inherited’ these dudes from my 11yo cousin who just got a puppy and doesn’t think she’ll have time to care for them. I think her parents wanted to throw them in the bin or something similar. I kept hermit crabs as a kid 25+ years ago so thought I’d be fine. Thanks to HCA, I know why my hermit crabs (Push & Shove) weren’t long for the world. I was so distraught over them dying even though I followed all the (murder) instructions to the letter. I feel sick thinking about coz I think what I thought was a dead crab was actually a surface molt.
I’m trying to help these guys to a new environment & do everything in my power to ensure their survival.
My main problem is that I don’t have much money!
I know 20 gal is still too small for 4 crabs but it’s all I could afford on short notice. I managed to get a large(ish) 21w heat pad that will cover the back of the tank (above the substrate). I thought those were the most important 2 things, but now I’m stressing that I won’t have Seachem Prime or API Aquarium Salt til next weekend.
Any & all cost hacks around caring for m’dudes gratefully accepted! Cheers
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I heard ‘chittering’ from the Krabuze & found my 2 bigger crabs fighting. I believe it was over the new shell that one of them recently changed into. The only other available shells were the painted Krabooz ones. I moved the aggressor to the opposite side of the cage and added all the spare shells I had just finished sterilising in the hopes that a bit more variety would ease the tension.
In the meantime, I noticed one of the smaller crabs had buried itself as deep as possible and I’m assuming it’s trying to molt.
When I checked back to make sure no more fighting was happening, I saw that the ‘aggressor’ crab had also burrowed down as far as possible in the spot I moved him to. I’m assuming he’s also attempting a molt.
MY QUESTIONS ARE:
- Can I move the 2 remaining crabs to the new tank once it’s warmed up?
- Should I add more substrate on top of the 2 molters?
- Can I keep my electric blanket wrapped around the Krabooz so it stays dark and warm while they’re molting (since they can’t dig deep enough)?
- Can I make it though til next weekend just using spring water & saltz, or do I need to get my hands on some Seachem Prime & API Salt immediately (especially considering the new pools will be deeper than the dish they’re used to).
Any & all advice very much appreciated!
Sorry if my answers are a bit all over the place - I’m literally staring at the tank rn watching for any kind of action!
.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
In Krabooz (Krabuze!)
The substrate is whatever the pet shop sells with the Krabuze heck-box. It’s VERY shallow & I don’t think it’s ever been cleaned out or topped up.
New Tank (20g):
5:1 mix of play-sand & peat-moss, 6” deep but will probably make it 7-8” on one side.
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 only have the Krabuze thermometer/hygrometer. I plan to get a better model as soon as $$ allow.
When I got the crabs, the temp ‘tank’ was sitting at 16-17C. There are 2 x Krabooz 5w heat pads on the back of the tank that do exactly nothing.
They’re currently on the chest of drawers in my bedroom.
I’ve wrapped the tank in 2 layers of alfoil and then in my electric blanket & have managed to slowly get the heat up 22-24.
Humidity drops to about 60% when I open the door for water/food, but I spray it with lukewarm spring water and it gets back up to 80% pretty fast.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
- 2 x Krabooz 5w heat matz (back of tank)
- 2 x layers of alfoil (tin foil) on back & sides
- 1 x electric blanket wrapped around entire tank (I move it off the lid & front during the day so they can get some natural light without also freezing.
In 20 gallon: I have a 21w 10” x 20.75” seed starter heat mat that I’m going to attach to the back of the tank(above substrate).
I will then insulate with alfoil/bubble wrap/foam board where possible
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 spring water + fresh spring water with ‘krabooz saltz’ changed daily.
Thanks to this site, I’ve just found out that bottled water & ‘saltz’ are NOT to be used. Is there anything else ‘around the house’ I could use? I won’t be able to afford Seachem Prime & API Aquarium Salt C11 until next weekend.
I’m hoping that since they’ve survived for a year (roughly) on this crappy diet with saltz & spring water, they might last a week longer til I can get the right stuff?
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed them a variety of foods from the Safe Food List on here. Fresh fruit, fresh veg, oats/other grains, nuts & I’ve just tried them on some apple baby food.
Their food is changed daily, along with their water.
When I got them, they’d been living on crab pellets & a Krabooz dry mix, with the occasional scrap of lettuce chucked in.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About a week. All 4 appear to be Australian Hermit Crabs.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I think 1 crab is molting; the top of its shell is just visible (it’s one of those horrible Krabooz painted shells). A second crab has just burrowed down so might be molting as well.
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 currently in abhorrent conditions. 4 x small-med sized crabs in one Krabuze container. It’s way too small, there’s no space to roam and it doesn’t allow for enough substrate to dig.
New Tank:
75L (20 g)
600 mm across (23”)
365 mm high (14”)
320 mm deep (12”)
I’m hoping I can heat it up fast and transfer the 3 crabs that aren’t molting, so the molting one can stay on its own in the Krabooz.
The only lid I have is a plastic tote lid. I’m going to cover that in clingwrap (Saran Wrap) + whatever else it needs to retain humidity & heat, but still be reachable to change food and water. I saw some cool stuff on here that I can probably copy!
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 Crabs - ranging from 1”-2.5”
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
There have only been 4 painted ‘Krabooz’ shells. I happened to have a spare shell that I added to the collection and one of the larger crabs changed almost immediately. Today I heard ‘chittering’ coming from the tank. The other big crab was fighting with the changed-shell crab (I’m assuming it was over the shell). I moved the aggressive crab to the opposite side of the tank and added 5 more natural shells (which were cooling off from being boiled). There hasn’t been any chittering since so all seems well (as well as it can be in the 7th circle of heck).
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not since I’ve had them. Before that I don’t know.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I don’t think it’s ever been cleaned. I didn’t want to add more substrate or anything coz I didn’t want to encourage a molt before I could get them in to the tank.
They have a clean tank to move into tonight/as soon as it’s warm enough. While I’m waiting for it to warm, I’ll set up all the other ‘bits’ - water pools, hides, shells + extra shells coming soon, and tonnes of varied food every day. I think that as soon as they realise they can burrow they’ll all go down to molt. (Both water pools will sit in a larger container so the substrate underneath isn’t disturbed. Food plate will sit on top of another plate as well.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges. Just spring water/spring water with ‘saltz’ - changed daily.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
A few more shells, better food, and a hide made from a margarine container (which I rinsed out with boiling water, washed with earth choice dishwashing liquid, rinsed thoroughly again, then re-rinsed with spring water and vinegar solution & let air dry).
This was because their Krabooz hut didn’t fit the 4 of them. Once 4 of them were in there, they couldn’t get out! They seem to like the margarine cave very much as all 4 are usually hanging out in or around there since. (Except for today with shell-wars and a molt).
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.)?
Long story short, I ‘inherited’ these dudes from my 11yo cousin who just got a puppy and doesn’t think she’ll have time to care for them. I think her parents wanted to throw them in the bin or something similar. I kept hermit crabs as a kid 25+ years ago so thought I’d be fine. Thanks to HCA, I know why my hermit crabs (Push & Shove) weren’t long for the world. I was so distraught over them dying even though I followed all the (murder) instructions to the letter. I feel sick thinking about coz I think what I thought was a dead crab was actually a surface molt.
I’m trying to help these guys to a new environment & do everything in my power to ensure their survival.
My main problem is that I don’t have much money!
I know 20 gal is still too small for 4 crabs but it’s all I could afford on short notice. I managed to get a large(ish) 21w heat pad that will cover the back of the tank (above the substrate). I thought those were the most important 2 things, but now I’m stressing that I won’t have Seachem Prime or API Aquarium Salt til next weekend.
Any & all cost hacks around caring for m’dudes gratefully accepted! Cheers
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I heard ‘chittering’ from the Krabuze & found my 2 bigger crabs fighting. I believe it was over the new shell that one of them recently changed into. The only other available shells were the painted Krabooz ones. I moved the aggressor to the opposite side of the cage and added all the spare shells I had just finished sterilising in the hopes that a bit more variety would ease the tension.
In the meantime, I noticed one of the smaller crabs had buried itself as deep as possible and I’m assuming it’s trying to molt.
When I checked back to make sure no more fighting was happening, I saw that the ‘aggressor’ crab had also burrowed down as far as possible in the spot I moved him to. I’m assuming he’s also attempting a molt.
MY QUESTIONS ARE:
- Can I move the 2 remaining crabs to the new tank once it’s warmed up?
- Should I add more substrate on top of the 2 molters?
- Can I keep my electric blanket wrapped around the Krabooz so it stays dark and warm while they’re molting (since they can’t dig deep enough)?
- Can I make it though til next weekend just using spring water & saltz, or do I need to get my hands on some Seachem Prime & API Salt immediately (especially considering the new pools will be deeper than the dish they’re used to).
Any & all advice very much appreciated!
Sorry if my answers are a bit all over the place - I’m literally staring at the tank rn watching for any kind of action!
.
So that will be my next stop this coming weekend!
