found hermit crab in my suitcase

[CubaChica]

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!

Hello,
I recently returned from Cuba (I'm in Montreal) and found a hermit crab with its shell in my suitcase. I'm completely shocked he survived the trip - and immediately looked online for what to do to make sure he is healthy, happy and safe.
I don't have a fish tank, so I used my largest container. I put some water from my Brita in a small dish (hoping it's chlorine-free), with a small apple slice and fish food and did my best to create a humid environment. The container is in my bathroom, which is usually the most humid room in the house, and I take hot showers. I'm not sure what to do next, but I will do whatever to make sure the little guy is safe and okay, even if that means taking care of him for years or finding a sanctuary for him to live his happy life. What do you suggest I do? Please help!

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?


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?


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?


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)?


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?


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


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?


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


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


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


11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?


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


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?


14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?


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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.


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[wodesorel]

Do you know what species he is, or can you describe what he looks like? (The tapatalk app will allow you to upload a photo.) Both marine and land hermit crabs live in cuba, and they have wildly different care requirements.

[CubaChica]

Hello !
He made it through the night in his makeshift home.
He always hides when I check on him, so I can't take a photo. He's about 2 inches big (max), smaller than a palm size, a dark colour, no visible spots or marks. He is very sensitive to me approaching his area the container. When I am not near, I can hear him crawling around the container, probably terrified and trying to escape. When I put the water dish, he went directly to it and reached out his arms in water. I assume he is confused and doesn't understand his environment.
I did order all the essentials for a hermit crab from the pet store (food, salt water, sponge, new shell, etc.)

What should I look out for to see if he is a land or water guy? I looked online, and he isn't bright red or has visible spots - but he also doesn't let me get a good look at him either. Poor guy.

[CubaChica]

What's the best way to make an environment humid, and what would be a timeline to know if he is surviving?

[JoeHermits]

If you pick him up, look at his claw. A terrestrial hermit crab will have an enlarged claw that will block the entrance of the shell when it retracts. Marine hermits generally have two claws about the same size.

Anything that’ll add moisture to the air will boost humidity. A hand sprayer is the most basic option. Damp moss or substrate will also help.

It’s tough to tell how long a crab will survive. Sometimes terrestrial crabs can live for weeks or months in poor conditions. I think the marines can live for days or a couple weeks out of the water


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[CubaChica]

Thank you for your help. He has two claws, and is very dark brown with little dark spots. I think that means he is a marine hermit, right? I work from home, so I can check on him regularly. Earlier he would quickly hide in his shell whenever I came to check on him, but now, later in the evening he is keeping parts of him outside of the shell.
Is it okay to leave the bathroom light on during the day for him and have the evening be in the dark? Does he need direct sunlight?
Thank you!

[JoeHermits]

That description alone doesn’t tell me enough about what he is. Sounds kind of like a marine crab but terrestrial hermits also come in brown. Are both claws the same size?

And that lighting regime is fine. They don’t need direct sunlight.


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[CubaChica]

Thank you for your help, unfortunately he didn't make it. Thank you again.