Crab out of shell this morning
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2024 3:47 pm
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?
Mix of play sand coconut fiber about 3-4 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?
Temp/humidity reader in tank towards the top. Usually reads 78-82 degrees during the day, 72-75 at night. Humidity hangs out between 80-85 depending on when I last sprayed.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I have two, a side heater, and a heat lamp.
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 are both treated with a drop of prime water and changed every two days. I've been using Thrive saltwater conditioner, but planned to switch to instant ocean when I ran out of that.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I use a mix of veggies (carrots, lettuce, celery, and broccoli) and different proteins (usually chicken)
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Since Feburary. Unknown species.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon tank. Hinged plexiglass lid with towels and plastic wrap to maintain moisture.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 about the size of a quarter
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I usually do general cleans of substrate once a week. But my other crab is molting and I'm not sure where he is at the moment so I've left it alone for about two weeks.
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.)?
No.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Woke up the morning and one of my crabs was out of her shell, laying on the side of the water dish. I followed the steps in the isolation thread (rinsed her off and placed her in a small dish with some shells. However she has not seemed to move since I placed her in there. There's no smell, and yesterday she seemed fine before I went to bed. She eat regularly, and I'm really just not sure what is going on. I don't think she looks ashy but I'm really worried she might be gone. My other crab has been down to molt for about two and half weeks and I'm worried they both might be in bad shape and I just don't know. I have photos of her but I'm on my phone and not sure how to post them here.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Mix of play sand coconut fiber about 3-4 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?
Temp/humidity reader in tank towards the top. Usually reads 78-82 degrees during the day, 72-75 at night. Humidity hangs out between 80-85 depending on when I last sprayed.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I have two, a side heater, and a heat lamp.
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 are both treated with a drop of prime water and changed every two days. I've been using Thrive saltwater conditioner, but planned to switch to instant ocean when I ran out of that.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I use a mix of veggies (carrots, lettuce, celery, and broccoli) and different proteins (usually chicken)
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Since Feburary. Unknown species.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon tank. Hinged plexiglass lid with towels and plastic wrap to maintain moisture.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 about the size of a quarter
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I usually do general cleans of substrate once a week. But my other crab is molting and I'm not sure where he is at the moment so I've left it alone for about two weeks.
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.)?
No.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Woke up the morning and one of my crabs was out of her shell, laying on the side of the water dish. I followed the steps in the isolation thread (rinsed her off and placed her in a small dish with some shells. However she has not seemed to move since I placed her in there. There's no smell, and yesterday she seemed fine before I went to bed. She eat regularly, and I'm really just not sure what is going on. I don't think she looks ashy but I'm really worried she might be gone. My other crab has been down to molt for about two and half weeks and I'm worried they both might be in bad shape and I just don't know. I have photos of her but I'm on my phone and not sure how to post them here.