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. Play sand


2. Hygrometer in middle of tank


3. Heating pad on outside wall of tank


4. Fresh and salt water


5. Fresh veggies, crab food bought from pet store, scrambled eggs, chicken , fruits


6. Two weeks . All I know is it is a land crab. The big pincher is purple in color


7. No! I've only had them two weeks .


8. 20 gallon long, partially covered top


9. 2


10. 4. I have more ordered


[i][color=#A9A9A9]11. No


[i][color=#A9A9A9]12. I look for poop every day and remove


[i][color=#A9A9A9]13. No. The water is in dishes they can get in and out of and walk in if they want to


[i][color=#A9A9A9]14. No


[i][color=#A9A9A9]15. This crab seemed to be active his first few days but then he started to bury.Eat less and seemed lethargic. I did not see any change in color .


[i][color=#A9A9A9]16. I THINK Iam looking at and exoskeleton . Most of it is outside the shell but some of it seems attached to a crab I can see inside the shell. The crab inside the shell seems rather pinkish in color . I did not expect this so fast. I do not have an isolation tank set up. How do I protect this crab from his tank mate? Will a freshly molted crab ALWAYS choose a new shell ? I have more shells ordered but they do not arrive until Monday. I have four in there now .
I read to put a plastic container over the molted crab. Is this ok? And if so how am I to know when I can remove this plastic protective done . Please advise . Thanks much


.

1. Play sand
How deep? Is it moistened to sand castle consistency?

2. Hygrometer in middle of tank
Curly - What is the humidity? Do you have a thermometer? What is the temp?

3. Heating pad on outside wall of tank


4. Fresh and salt water
Curly - What brand of dechlorinator and salt are you using?

5. Fresh veggies, crab food bought from pet store, scrambled eggs, chicken , fruits


6. Two weeks . All I know is it is a land crab. The big pincher is purple in color


7. No! I've only had them two weeks .
Curly - Did you purchase from a pet store?

8. 20 gallon long, partially covered top


9. 2


10. 4. I have more ordered
Curly - Good you have more on the way, HCA recommends 3-5 extra shells per crab. Be sure to read the 'shells' care sheet to ensure you are offering the appropriate types of shells.

11. No


12. I look for poop every day and remove


13. No. The water is in dishes they can get in and out of and walk in if they want to


14. No


15. This crab seemed to be active his first few days but then he started to bury.Eat less and seemed lethargic. I did not see any change in color .


16. I THINK Iam looking at and exoskeleton . Most of it is outside the shell but some of it seems attached to a crab I can see inside the shell. The crab inside the shell seems rather pinkish in color . I did not expect this so fast. I do not have an isolation tank set up. How do I protect this crab from his tank mate? Will a freshly molted crab ALWAYS choose a new shell ? I have more shells ordered but they do not arrive until Monday. I have four in there now .
I read to put a plastic container over the molted crab. Is this ok? And if so how am I to know when I can remove this plastic protective done . Please advise . Thanks much
Curly - Yes, you can put something like a 2L over top with the bottom cut off and the cap removed - push it down into the sub as long as there are no crabs underground. You can also use something like a margarine container with holes cut in it. Both of those will mean that the crab has to conditions inside the tank. No, a newly molted crab does not always look for a new shell. You will need to leave him isolated until he eats his exoskelton and is moving around normally.