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?
Eco-earth and sand 4-6 inches deep. Krabbie has been temporarily placed in an isolation tank with just sand.
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, 80F and 50-60 humitidy (any tips for keeping humidity higher would be appreciated)
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Nocturnal red heat light 50w, zoomed on top 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)?
fresh and salt, zoomed and thrive
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
thrive pellets sparingly, brine shrimp 2x a week, powdered calcium mixed into tetra fauna hermit crab feed, coconut flakes, fruit: changed at least twice a week, more frequent if decay is shown
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I got krabbie in august 2020- purple pincher
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
my crab has had four molts since I had her. typically on about a 5-6 month schedule with molting however, was about 2 months overdue for a molt before symptoms started occurring.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
glass 10 gallon, mesh lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
just her: shes approx 2.5-3 inches large. estimated to be about 8 years old
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6 on rotation
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
rotate substrate twice weekly, total dump every 3 months, water dishes changed weekly and refilled as needed
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?
About 3 months ago I upgraded her water dishes to be significantly larger and allow for a full soak and put in glass marbles to help her get out. The brine shrimp are new and have only been given once, it did not appear she ate them
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.)?
Krabbie is really only active at night or when I take her out to play- about 1-2x a week.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
About a week ago now, I noticed Krabbie was in her saltwater dish more frequently, I could hear her at night moving around but she had not touched her food. After 3 or so days I wanted to check on her and at least make sure she was okay. (since she is an only crab, she would sometimes get bored and need extra enrichment) She was seemingly okay, and seemed that she would be going through a shedding cycle soon, which was expected as it was overdue. a day or two later I noticed she had begun shedding but she was still in the saltwater dish in a shallow area. I left her for about a day before I moved her into an isolation tank so that I could keep a closer eye on her. She proceeded molting as normal, however after about 2 days, she dropped her big pincher. meat inside and everything. I noticed this when I woke up and immediately knew something was wrong and would require rehab should she make it. This was two days ago now and she has shown little signs of life. I have presented her with a smelly food to see if she would perhaps eat in the night time (she hasn't appeared to), smelled her (she smells completely normal) and I have picked her up to touch her remaining claws to see if there would be any response. up until this afternoon I would get a twitch or two from another limb and have hope. this has stopped as of this evening. I am unsure if she will make it/if she is still alive, any tips or recommendations would be appreciated. I love mrs. krabbie so much and after almost three years I'm struggling to make the decision to let her go.
.
Hermit crab dropped big claw during molting- is nonresponsive
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gabby.cruz
Topic author - Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2023 10:09 pm
Hermit crab dropped big claw during molting- is nonresponsive
Last edited by gabby.cruz on Tue May 23, 2023 7:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
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gabby.cruz
Topic author - Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2023 10:09 pm
Re: Hermit crab dropped big claw during molting- is nonresponsive
UPDATE: she has now dropped an antenna- moving legs though!
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curlysister
- Administrator
- Posts: 4497
- Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:54 pm
- Location: Manitoba, Canada
Re: Hermit crab dropped big claw during molting- is nonresponsive
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Eco-earth and sand 4-6 inches deep. Krabbie has been temporarily placed in an isolation tank with just sand.
Curly - An isolation tank is only needed to isolate a crab from other crabs. So if she is the only crab, she can be left in the main tank. Is you sub moistened so 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?
Yes, 80F and 50-60 humitidy (any tips for keeping humidity higher would be appreciated)
Curly - The temp is good, but the humidity is dangerously low. Has it always been this low since you got her? Crabs have modified gills, and need humid air to breathe. If you have a mesh lid, cover it with something - plexiglass, glass, or even plastic wrap. Of course you can not use a heat light with plastic wrap.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Nocturnal red heat light 50w, zoomed on top of tank
Curly - Heat lights are notorious for zapping humidity. And without a cover, that's probably why your humidity is dangerously low. Most of us use UTH - under tank heaters - but mounted on the back or side of the tank, not underneath. Don't go by the number of gallons it says it will heat, go by size - get one that fits across the back of the tank and covers most of the area above the substrate line.
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 and salt, zoomed and thrive
Curly - You need a dechlorinator that also removes heavy metals etc. Seachem Prime is a commonly used brand, but there are others. And then you need a marine salt to provide all the minerals they need for long term health. Instant Ocean is a commonly used brand, but there are others too. Be sure to read the 'water' care sheet for all you need to know about water for hermit crabs.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
thrive pellets sparingly, brine shrimp 2x a week, powdered calcium mixed into tetra fauna hermit crab feed, coconut flakes, fruit: changed at least twice a week, more frequent if decay is shown
Curly - Hermit crabs need a varied diet that includes animal proteins daily, veggies, greens, calcium, carbs, etc. Be sure to read the 'nutrition' care sheet for full info. Pellets generally aren't great for long term health.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I got krabbie in august 2020- purple pincher
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
my crab has had four molts since I had her. typically on about a 5-6 month schedule with molting however, was about 2 months overdue for a molt before symptoms started occurring.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
glass 10 gallon, mesh lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
just her: shes approx 2.5-3 inches large. estimated to be about 8 years old
Curly - A ten gallon tank is likely not big enough for her. There is a care sheet that oulines how much space crabs of what size need.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6 on rotation
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
rotate substrate twice weekly, total dump every 3 months, water dishes changed weekly and refilled as needed
Curly - With proper substrate, you don't need to change it all out that often, unless there is a bacterial bloom or flood. Some of us never do (that's me LOL), and some do every year or so.
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?
About 3 months ago I upgraded her water dishes to be significantly larger and allow for a full soak and put in glass marbles to help her get out. The brine shrimp are new and have only been given once, it did not appear she ate them
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.)?
Krabbie is really only active at night or when I take her out to play- about 1-2x a week.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
About a week ago now, I noticed Krabbie was in her saltwater dish more frequently, I could hear her at night moving around but she had not touched her food. After 3 or so days I wanted to check on her and at least make sure she was okay. (since she is an only crab, she would sometimes get bored and need extra enrichment) She was seemingly okay, and seemed that she would be going through a shedding cycle soon, which was expected as it was overdue. a day or two later I noticed she had begun shedding but she was still in the saltwater dish in a shallow area. I left her for about a day before I moved her into an isolation tank so that I could keep a closer eye on her. She proceeded molting as normal, however after about 2 days, she dropped her big pincher. meat inside and everything. I noticed this when I woke up and immediately knew something was wrong and would require rehab should she make it. This was two days ago now and she has shown little signs of life. I have presented her with a smelly food to see if she would perhaps eat in the night time (she hasn't appeared to), smelled her (she smells completely normal) and I have picked her up to touch her remaining claws to see if there would be any response. up until this afternoon I would get a twitch or two from another limb and have hope. this has stopped as of this evening. I am unsure if she will make it/if she is still alive, any tips or recommendations would be appreciated. I love mrs. krabbie so much and after almost three years I'm struggling to make the decision to let her go.
Curly - It may already be too late, if she has stopped responding. But you may want to wait until she smells really bad to be sure she is deceased. You need to get the humidity up asap. And stop handling her when she is still soft. Did she eat her exo? That's the only thing they need to eat immediately after their molt. Unfortunately, she may not be able to recover at this point.
Eco-earth and sand 4-6 inches deep. Krabbie has been temporarily placed in an isolation tank with just sand.
Curly - An isolation tank is only needed to isolate a crab from other crabs. So if she is the only crab, she can be left in the main tank. Is you sub moistened so 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?
Yes, 80F and 50-60 humitidy (any tips for keeping humidity higher would be appreciated)
Curly - The temp is good, but the humidity is dangerously low. Has it always been this low since you got her? Crabs have modified gills, and need humid air to breathe. If you have a mesh lid, cover it with something - plexiglass, glass, or even plastic wrap. Of course you can not use a heat light with plastic wrap.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Nocturnal red heat light 50w, zoomed on top of tank
Curly - Heat lights are notorious for zapping humidity. And without a cover, that's probably why your humidity is dangerously low. Most of us use UTH - under tank heaters - but mounted on the back or side of the tank, not underneath. Don't go by the number of gallons it says it will heat, go by size - get one that fits across the back of the tank and covers most of the area above the substrate line.
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 and salt, zoomed and thrive
Curly - You need a dechlorinator that also removes heavy metals etc. Seachem Prime is a commonly used brand, but there are others. And then you need a marine salt to provide all the minerals they need for long term health. Instant Ocean is a commonly used brand, but there are others too. Be sure to read the 'water' care sheet for all you need to know about water for hermit crabs.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
thrive pellets sparingly, brine shrimp 2x a week, powdered calcium mixed into tetra fauna hermit crab feed, coconut flakes, fruit: changed at least twice a week, more frequent if decay is shown
Curly - Hermit crabs need a varied diet that includes animal proteins daily, veggies, greens, calcium, carbs, etc. Be sure to read the 'nutrition' care sheet for full info. Pellets generally aren't great for long term health.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I got krabbie in august 2020- purple pincher
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
my crab has had four molts since I had her. typically on about a 5-6 month schedule with molting however, was about 2 months overdue for a molt before symptoms started occurring.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
glass 10 gallon, mesh lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
just her: shes approx 2.5-3 inches large. estimated to be about 8 years old
Curly - A ten gallon tank is likely not big enough for her. There is a care sheet that oulines how much space crabs of what size need.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6 on rotation
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
rotate substrate twice weekly, total dump every 3 months, water dishes changed weekly and refilled as needed
Curly - With proper substrate, you don't need to change it all out that often, unless there is a bacterial bloom or flood. Some of us never do (that's me LOL), and some do every year or so.
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?
About 3 months ago I upgraded her water dishes to be significantly larger and allow for a full soak and put in glass marbles to help her get out. The brine shrimp are new and have only been given once, it did not appear she ate them
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.)?
Krabbie is really only active at night or when I take her out to play- about 1-2x a week.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
About a week ago now, I noticed Krabbie was in her saltwater dish more frequently, I could hear her at night moving around but she had not touched her food. After 3 or so days I wanted to check on her and at least make sure she was okay. (since she is an only crab, she would sometimes get bored and need extra enrichment) She was seemingly okay, and seemed that she would be going through a shedding cycle soon, which was expected as it was overdue. a day or two later I noticed she had begun shedding but she was still in the saltwater dish in a shallow area. I left her for about a day before I moved her into an isolation tank so that I could keep a closer eye on her. She proceeded molting as normal, however after about 2 days, she dropped her big pincher. meat inside and everything. I noticed this when I woke up and immediately knew something was wrong and would require rehab should she make it. This was two days ago now and she has shown little signs of life. I have presented her with a smelly food to see if she would perhaps eat in the night time (she hasn't appeared to), smelled her (she smells completely normal) and I have picked her up to touch her remaining claws to see if there would be any response. up until this afternoon I would get a twitch or two from another limb and have hope. this has stopped as of this evening. I am unsure if she will make it/if she is still alive, any tips or recommendations would be appreciated. I love mrs. krabbie so much and after almost three years I'm struggling to make the decision to let her go.
Curly - It may already be too late, if she has stopped responding. But you may want to wait until she smells really bad to be sure she is deceased. You need to get the humidity up asap. And stop handling her when she is still soft. Did she eat her exo? That's the only thing they need to eat immediately after their molt. Unfortunately, she may not be able to recover at this point.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers