HCA: Hermit Crab Association

curlysister wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 01, 2024 11:25 pm

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

I use a mix of the ZooMed sand and the ZooMed coconut soil. I don't know the exact depth but it starts at around six inches and then kinda fades off
Curly - The ZooMed Coco fiber is safe, but the ZooMed sand is not - it is calcium sand, which can turn hard when wet. You will need to get play sand, which is cheap and sold at hardware stores. You can use all play sand, but many of us mix in some coco fiber as well. It needs to be moistened to sand castle consistency, so that it holds shape when crabs dig tunnels and make molting caves.

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?

No not yet. We will be moving them to a new tank very soon and are waiting to install them until they are in the new tank
Curly - You will need a thermometer and hygrometer asap. Crabs need high humidity in order to breathe, around 80%, as they have modified gills. And they need the temp to be around 80F.

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

No

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. I use all ZooMed brand. One tablespoon of salt mix per one cup of water. Two drops of dechloronator per one cup water
Curly - Read through the 'water' care sheet. That brand of water won't provide all the minerals they need for long term health - you will need a marine salt (Instant Ocean is a commonly used brand). That dechlorinator likely won't remove everything that is needed to be removed (SeaChem Prime is a commonly used brand)

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

ZooMed pellet food, moistened, replaced daily.
Curly - Pellet food does not contain all the nutrition crabs need for long term health. It also contains preservatives that may be harmful long term. Crabs can eat many of the same foods as we do. They need a varied diet, including protein and calcium daily. Check out the 'nutrition' care sheet for full info.

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

About eleven days, unknown species

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

No not yet

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

Mesh lid, tank, 20 gallons atm
Curly - You are going to want a solid lid, in order to hold in heat and humidity. You can wrap the mesh in plastic wrap, or can invest in a plexiglass or glass lid.

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

Two, kind of small


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

Two
Curly - HCA recommends at least 3-5 extra shells per crab. Be sure to look at the 'shells' care sheet to ensure you are offering the correct types of shells.


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

Not to my knowledge


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

Haven't had them long enough


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

No sponges


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

New shells and hides


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.)?

I got the crabs from an Outer Banks gift shop


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

I very recently made the decision to buy two hermit crabs from a gift shop at the beach. They are pretty small. Recently, one of them burrowed underground, and the green one is half underground. We needed to move the cage to my bedroom to prevent our cats from jumping on the cage as they kept breaking the (mesh) lid. However, after my stepdad completed the move, I learned you should dig up the crabs before moving them. Is my crab definitely a goner? I don't want to dig him up, but what should I do?
Curly - You have a few things that need corrected, in order to ensure the long term health of your crabs. Have a look at the 'basics' care sheet, which explains how to set up a basic tank, and has a photo of a ten gallon set up.
It's hard to say if he would have jiggled the tank hard enough to have collapsed a molting cave. However, you are also using calcium sand, which may be causing a problem as it is. You may want to dig him up to ensure he's not in trouble because of the sand. Be prepared to isolate him from your other crab if he is in fact molting (he could also just be de-stressing underground). You will need to get rid of the calcium sand and put in play sand asap, as well as get a thermometer/ hygrometer, and a solid lid.