HCA: Hermit Crab Association

CrabyCalypso wrote: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?
Natural Sand, it is about an inch deep.

CL77-Your substrate should be at least 3x the height of your largest crab. It should also be moistened to sand castle consistency using dechlor fresh or salt water. When you say natural sand, do you mean play 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?
I do not have gauges but tank is usually pretty moist.

CL77-You need to get a hygrometer asap. Digital ones are preferred. You cannot go without one. Hermits need moisture in the air to breathe, and humidity levels constantly below 70% will cause stress and/or death. Temps should be between 75-85°F. There's no way to guess the humidity.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I have a heating pad located in the back right corner next to hermit crabs coconut aka his home

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)?
I have fresh water and salt water. I use filtered fridge water for fresh at room temp and for my salt water I take fresh water and mix in a salt water substrate from the brand Flunkers Hermit Headquarters called Salt water concentrate and water conditioner. It came with metal teaspon scoop so I mix in one teaspon and stir thuroughly.

CL77-Are you using a dechlorinator? The filter in your fridge will not filter out chlorine or chloramines. Prime is a good dechlorinator and heavy metal detoxifier. You'll need to use a marine salt for your salt water. Instant Ocean is a popular brand.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I use tropical Hermit crab food medley that consists of pellets, dried shrimp and meal worms. he previsously ate hermit crab meal for land crabs but would only eat when mixed with veggies or egg shells. I try to add food whenever I see he has eaten it all.

CL77-Variety is key. Crabs can eat many of the things we eat. Pellets/foods marketed for hermits aren't great long term. Make sure to always have a constant supply of protein and calcium available. Checkout the safe food list for ideas.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had the crab for around seven years but I wasn't the first owner, so I am not sure how old the crab is, the species is unknown.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
My crab molted fairly recently I would say about three months ago but I am not sure the specifics.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
my hermit crab is kept in a pretty big tank, it has a netted top and a plastic top with holes that lead to mesh, very ventelated.

CL77-The entire thing can be wrapped in plastic wrap to keep the moisture in. Your crab will get air exchange when you are doing tank maintenance and lifting the lid.
How many gallons is the tank? And/or what are the dimensions?

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
I have one crab named calypso he is about medium/pretty large, I am not sure how to measure him but he is defenitly a big crab when he is climbing or has body stretched out.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I have about 5 shells he can change into but he has stayed in about the same size shell since I've had him, I have shells that are bigger for him but he relatively stays in his same two shells.

CL77-Are they the type of shells Purple Pinchers prefer (shells with round openings)? Check out the shell 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 clean tank as often as possible but have recently been slacking a little on cleaning, when I clean his tank I usually sift through the sand and get rid of any poop or food. I change waters, I clean his toys and climbing structures.

CL77- Surfacing cleaning is fine. No need to do a complete substrate change unless there is an emergency like a bacterial bloom or flood.

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?
I recently found hermit mites in my hermit crabs sand.

CL77-As long as the mites aren't attached to the crab itself, they are harmless. I have a ton in both of my tanks and just let them be. They are a great clean up crew for poo and old food.

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.)?
My hermit crab is very mellow, he is a night owl, he ate his partner a long time ago but is not very agressive. He doesn't molt very often. My hermit crabs tank situation isnt the best but I have been working on getting new things and changing around his enviroment.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

This morning I found my Hermit crab naked. His shell he was previsously using was stuck in his water bowl and he was laying beside the bowl on the sandy rock area next to it. I found him flat out and not moving around as usual. The only time I've seen him naked is when he is molting or changing shells, this is NOT a common thing.

I took the shell he had out of the water and placed it next to him, along with his other favorite shell, I figured once he saw his shells he would simply go right inside. After about 20 mins I realized he was trying to climb and play around like usual, However I understand how dangerous it can be for him so scratch his abdomin and be out of his shell for too long. I followed a youtube video that talked about putting your hermit crab in a container, putting up to three shells inside, leaving abuot two shell scoops full of water inside, a lid with holes and good ventilation, and a towek overtop. I left him in the containter for exactly an hour as followed yet he did not go into his shells. In the video it explained that if your hermit crab still isnt in its shell maybe it is best to get a smaller conatiner and re-do the process, which I did. It has been about another hour and yet calypso is yet to enter his shell.

I put both containers inside the tank when I was waiting for him to go back in, due to the fact I have a heater and it is rather moist, to keep him aclemated. I put a blanket overtop his entire closer to ensure darkness and security.

He is still the same color, his tail is curled up and grey. He is moving slower and is not very responsive. He will climb onto his shells yet isn't going in

I am pretty sure he left his shell because he was unable to get out of his water bowl somehow and is now under stress.

PLEASE HELP ME GET HIM BACK INTO HIS SHELL!!!

CL77-Crabs do not leave their shells to molt. They drop them when they are too weak to carry them. Follow the naked crab care sheet : https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 7&t=122302
You may need to manually reshell him instead.

Also, fix the issues with your setup that I mentioned above, especially getting a hygrometer asap.
.

CrabbyLover77 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:37 pm

I'll put my suggestions under your answers. Hope this helps!





Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

CrabyCalypso wrote: I’m not sure how to reply on here but here is my response to your suggestions (thank you so much)

CL77-You're very welcome.

My sand is special sand for hermit crabs.

CL77-The sand is most likely calcium sand, which isn't good for hermits. It can harden when it becomes wet. I know this first hand. I lost a crab this way before I found the HCA. It blocked up the front of her shell and trapped her in there.
You'll want to use play sand, like the kind you buy at Home Depot or Lowes. It usually comes in 50Lb bags for $5-$6.

I will defenitly invest in a humidity detector, I didn’t realize that about the humidity thank you for telling me.

CL77-Yw. This is probably the most important thing.

Yes I am using a water de-chlorinater.

CL77-Don't forget to grab a marine salt when you can for your salt water pool.

I’m always keep a variety for my crab to eat, I even give him fresh cut up veggies and different food boosters.

CL77- The fresh food is good. I made a hardboiled egg in my air fryer today for my crabs for some protein. I split it in half, a side for each of my 2 tanks. I left the shell on too. They love the eggshell and the yolk. You can offer high energy foods to give him a boost, like natural peanut butter or honey if you have it.

I did what you suggested and wrapper the tank in plastic wrap, I am not sure the dimensions but I’d say it is very big.

Yes, I have the type of shells needed, I even ordered some recently that are bigger and better but they haven’t arrived in the mail yet.

I never knew that about the molting, I’ve always been taught that they leave when molting so thank you for informing me, I followed everything on the sheet including trying to manually get him into his shell and still no luck.

CL77-Keep trying. A crab without a shell won't survive. Hopefully he'll take one.

Thank you so much for the suggestions, I’ve tried making sure my hermit crab has had a great life living with me, however I am not ready for him to leave now. I’ve had him my whole life. He has been my first and only hermit crab, I will be so upset to see him go.

CL77-I'm very sorry that your hermit is going through all this. I hope he pulls through. Keep us updated