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? i use play sand and eco earth it's 3 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 don't have one

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? seedling heat mat on the back


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)?
prime conditioned water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
every 3 days it's dried fruit, dried insects and cuttlebone

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
one year purple pincher


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
idk i think they were just underground

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
20 gallon plastic wrap on top

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 5 there is 2 large and 3 medium size


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
11

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


12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
i dont clean my tank

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


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.)? the 2 crabs were underground until i saw them

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. i just woke up to see one of my hermit crab in a pile of legs and thier head and idk if it's thier shedding or they got in a fight and the other one is out their shell but doesn't have the yellow sensitive part anymore idk what to do


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1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? i use play sand and eco earth it's 3 inches
Curly - If you have large crabs, this may not be deep enough.

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 don't have one
Curly - A thermometer and hygrometer are essential to know the current tank conditions. Crabs have modified gills and need high humidity to breathe. They are tropical and need higher temps.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? seedling heat mat on the back


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)?
prime conditioned water
You will also want to get marine salt such as instant ocean.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
every 3 days it's dried fruit, dried insects and cuttlebone
Curly - Crabs need a varied diet. See the nutrition care sheet for more info.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
one year purple pincher


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
idk i think they were just underground

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
20 gallon plastic wrap on top

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 5 there is 2 large and 3 medium size
Curly - For sure 3 inches of sub isn't going to be enough for these crabs. And a 20 gallon is probably too small for that many - see the care sheet for more info.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
11
Curly - HCA recommends 3-5 extra shells per crab, so you should have 15-25 extra shells. Be sure you are offering the preferred types of shells - see the care sheet for more info.

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


12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
i dont clean my tank

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


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.)? the 2 crabs were underground until i saw them

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. i just woke up to see one of my hermit crab in a pile of legs and thier head and idk if it's thier shedding or they got in a fight and the other one is out their shell but doesn't have the yellow sensitive part anymore idk what to do
Curly - You have some things that need improved for your crabs to live a long healthy life. Your tank is probably over crowded and does not have enough sub for all those crabs to live together. You also need more shells.
I would move each of these two crabs into separate isolation. If you are able to post a photo, we should be able to tell if they are deceased. If the soft back 'body' of the crab is missing, it's probably dead. The other one may or may not be.