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?
A mix of play sand and coconut fiber, about 5 inches deep.

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, it is located just above the sand and reads 78 degrees F and about 75% humidity.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, I have two ZooMed stick on heaters attached to the the sides of the 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 water, I don't treat it since it isnt tap water, I buy the gallon jugs from the grocery store.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed her a mix of dehydrated food from the Hermit Crab Patch and fresh food from whatever I have in the fridge, changed every few days. She also gets calcium powder.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I've had her for 19 years, Purple Pincher crab.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I can't remember when her last molt was - should have written it down! But she has molted.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
It is a 30 gallon tank, screen lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
It's just one crab (I know they like company, I tried to buy her friends a couple of years ago but they didnt make it. Will have to try again). She is about the size of a golf ball.

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

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean up old food and crab poo as soon as I see it, partial sand tank changes are maybe once a year or two years.

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, I rotate between different toys but none are brand new.

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 spray the tank and sand with water to keep it moist, I don't spray the crab directly.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I recently moved a couple of months ago, which included moving my crab. I am worried because since we relocated she hasn't moved from her spot and I haven't seen any tracks in the sand or seen her food or calcium touched. I've been keeping the sand very moist around her, and she is in a warm place next to the heating pad. I'm worried that either she might be dying from the stress of moving, and I am not sure what to do about that. Or maybe she will be doing a surface molt and that is why she has been inactive for so long? I have had her for 19 years and haven't had this happen before - so worried and wondering what you all think.

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1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
A mix of play sand and coconut fiber, about 5 inches deep.
Curly - Some people are going to tell you that you need deeper substrate, but if she is the only crab in the tank, there is no risk of others bothering her while she is molting.

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, it is located just above the sand and reads 78 degrees F and about 75% humidity.
Curly - Some people will suggest bumping the humidity up a bit, closer to 80% (but 75 is totally safe). If you wanted to, then just cover some or all of yoru screen lid, to hold in the humidity.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, I have two ZooMed stick on heaters attached to the the sides of the 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 water, I don't treat it since it isnt tap water, I buy the gallon jugs from the grocery store.
Curly - Some people are going to tell you that you need salt water, made with marine salt, in order to get trace minerals. Which may be true, or she may get some from whatever the bottled water is if it is ground water. She has lived many years without it, but this may be something she is lacking.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed her a mix of dehydrated food from the Hermit Crab Patch and fresh food from whatever I have in the fridge, changed every few days. She also gets calcium powder.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I've had her for 19 years, Purple Pincher crab.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I can't remember when her last molt was - should have written it down! But she has molted.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
It is a 30 gallon tank, screen lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
It's just one crab (I know they like company, I tried to buy her friends a couple of years ago but they didnt make it. Will have to try again). She is about the size of a golf ball.

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

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean up old food and crab poo as soon as I see it, partial sand tank changes are maybe once a year or two years.

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, I rotate between different toys but none are brand new.

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 spray the tank and sand with water to keep it moist, I don't spray the crab directly.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I recently moved a couple of months ago, which included moving my crab. I am worried because since we relocated she hasn't moved from her spot and I haven't seen any tracks in the sand or seen her food or calcium touched. I've been keeping the sand very moist around her, and she is in a warm place next to the heating pad. I'm worried that either she might be dying from the stress of moving, and I am not sure what to do about that. Or maybe she will be doing a surface molt and that is why she has been inactive for so long? I have had her for 19 years and haven't had this happen before - so worried and wondering what you all think.
Curly - Wow, 19 years is a super long time to have a crab. What used to be thought of as 'social' behavior is now known to be more resource sharing - so while you can get another crab, honestly she is just fine alone too. If you kept her in good conditions for most of the move, she won't likely be stressed from it. Unfortunately, crabs do pass away from old age, just like any other animal - they run out of energy for any more molting and growing. She may be getting ready for a surface molt, as you said. But the only way you will know is to give her some more time. It will become obvious in time. And if she passes away, I think that you can safely say that you gave your crab a very long and healthy life. I have had my crabs for over 13 years now, and am prepared that if they pass away it is not because of anything I have done wrong at this point - it will be because they have simply come to the end of their lives.

Thank you so much for your response, curly. Just to update, the situation is still the same, she hasn't moved from the spot but is definitely still alive. I have been keeping the tank moist and covered to keep the humidity closer to 80% like you said. So sad but still holding out hope that she pulls through.