HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Deborah718 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? Coconut fiber moist enough to tunnel 6 inches deep


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? tank is at 75% humidity and 75 degrees


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? not now


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)? salt and fresh - both distilled ocean salt mix

CL77-To get the minerals crabs need from freshwater, you'll want to use a dechlorinator with spring or tap water. Distilled is fine with the salt water.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? popcorn is favorite dehydrated crickets pecans dried beans

CL77- Are you offering a daily source of calcium? Be sure to offer different varieties of proteins too.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 8 years purple


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? many times - this time his shell was stollen


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 20 gallon aquarium glass lid


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? now he’s on his own normally 2 small and 1 medium with him


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? lots with lots of sizes 15-20


11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? no


12. How often do you clean the tank and how? food and water refreshed every couple days tank cleaned and substrate refreshed as needed


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? 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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. Our largest crabby was molting. His space was invaded by our medium sized crab who stole his shell. He got into the smaller shell and covered himself up again but then half uncovered. He was moving a larger replacement shell, but did not get in it. Now his abdomen is still covered, but his legs are out of the dirt and he’s not moving around much. I don’t know if I should intervene any more than removing everyone else from the tank.

CL77-If your large crab is in a shell, and his exo is completely hardened, I'd say just leave him where he's at. Do you have any shells that are the same or very similar to the one that was stolen? If not, maybe you can grab a couple more to give him the option of that type of shell again. If his exo isn't hardened and he did not finish molting, then you'll need to isolate him from the others.
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Deborah718 wrote:Thank you! He finally came up, and it looks like he’s mid-molt. We’ve isolated him and given him lots of shells, but he lost legs in the battle for his shell and is now opting to go without a new one. It looks like it may be difficult for him to move them around like he normally would. He is soaking in his water regularly, but I don’t know if he will survive this or not.