HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Tim cuthbert wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 05, 2023 10:20 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?
I use coconut fiber substrate about 6 inches deep It's a good idea to mix playground sand with fiber to make it easier for it to hold moisture

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. In the bottom middle just above the substrate the humidity was 70% and temp 65-70 degrees Your temperature and humidity could be a little bit higher, ideal is 75-80% humidity and temperature is 70-80 F

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)?
Freshwater aged for weeks Is the water dechlorinated and/or does the aging dechlorinate it? Do you have a source of salt water?

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Pellet food, eggshells, pine nuts, and lettuce. Its a good idea to give hermit crabs a source of protein: fish, cooked eggs, meat, insects, etc.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About 7-8 months, and I don’t know the species.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Not yet

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
A 10-gal tank with a screen lid. A 10 gallon tank should work for now, but at some point you will need a larger tank. To contain humidity, you can put plastic wrap over the screen lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2, small

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6 Are any of the shells painted?

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I scoop out the waste with a clean kitty litter scoop

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes, cleaned with purified water Is the sponge the only source of water for the hermit crabs? Also be careful that the sponge doesn't get moldy

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No

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 found one crabs claw shell in the sub and i have one male and one female The "claw shell" is likely part of an exoskeleton, which means one of the hermit crabs has molted

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. [/
1 of my hermit crabs is buried and has stayed buried for 3 months and I don’t know if he is dead or alive
. A lot of times, a hermit crab will just hang out underground, even after molting. He/she is probably fine, just chillin' under the substrate Don't dig for him/her unless it has been at least 6 months, and if you like you can put a camera where you can see the tank. I've heard of lots of hermie owners who haven't seen their hermit crabs in a while, and then put up a camera and look at the night footage and see the their "missing" hermit crab comes up at night to eat and drink and they didn't know!

hermitcrablover2 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 05, 2023 2:59 pm

You're welcome! They will need a salt water source, if you have another dish you should put fresh water in the dish, and then mix in the right ratio of aquarium salt - don't use normal salt!