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. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
coconut fiber dirt and calcium sand not sure how 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?
Yes I do normally temperature 75- 80 and humidity is the same it changes

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
yes i have a heating pad that is stuck on the side of the tank

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)?
Distiled water and salt water I use the thrive brand hermit crab salt water solution

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
right now I feed her the food that I got with her and hermit crab cakes there like pellets of food I don't know what else to give her i've only seen her eat once

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
ive had her since last month not sure what species but I know her big klaw stays purple

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

I HAVE NO CLUE
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

Shes in a tank mabye 30-40 gallons i'm not sure it has a open and close lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

I have one and shes like small medium
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

2 or 3
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I just recently got her so I haven't like deep cleaned it but every few weeks 2-3 i scoop the dirt with like a cat scoop but its samll

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
yes i don't know how to clean them

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

nope
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.)?
She is normally very active climbing and all that stuff

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Hi, so I need help and don't know what to do. Okay so when i First got my hermit crab witch was a month ago she was not very active and would stay buried then one day she changed shells and was thriving for the past few weeks I haven't seen her at all and that wasn't like her so today I decided to go check on her because I was planning on getting another crab this weekend when I went to dig I saw her shell and saw her moving so I was like okay shes okay I came back to take her out to give her a bath and her shell was empty i saw her and put the shell down immediately she also had a hut over her but I was to scared to put it back over her being that she's out of the shell I thought that she was dead but I don't smell anything I don't want her to die im really scared I didn't want to take her out either because I don't know if she's molting


.

It sounds to me like your crab is attempting to molt. This is the process where they shed their exoskeleton and grow a new one. They usually bulk up on nutrients beforehand, sometimes change shells, and dig below the surface. The process can take several months and your crab is very vulnerable during it. It is important not to dig them up or disturb them as much as possible during this process. Also, if your crab was moving, that’s good news! If they passed away, you will know by the smell automatically (but that will take a few days to develop).

Based on your response, I would also add more shells for your crab to choose from. Additionally, hermit crabs are a social species that do not generally enjoy being alone, so getting them a friend would be good!

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
coconut fiber dirt and calcium sand not sure how deep
Curly - Calcium sand is not safe for crabs. The substrate needs to be moistened with dechlorinated water so it is sand castle consistence, and holds it's shape. Calcium sand gets hard like cement when it is wet.

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?
Yes I do normally temperature 75- 80 and humidity is the same it changes

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
yes i have a heating pad that is stuck on the side of the tank

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)?
Distiled water and salt water I use the thrive brand hermit crab salt water solution
Curly - While not harmful, those won't provide the minerals crabs need for long term health. You will want to use tap water, and treat it with a dechlorinator - SeaChem Prime is a commonly used brand. Then use a marine salt for the salt water - Instant Ocean is a commonly used brand. There is a care sheet about water that explains details.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
right now I feed her the food that I got with her and hermit crab cakes there like pellets of food I don't know what else to give her i've only seen her eat once
Curly - Pellets aren't appropriate long term. Read through the 'nutrition' care sheet for everything you need to know about feeding crabs.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
ive had her since last month not sure what species but I know her big klaw stays purple

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

I HAVE NO CLUE
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

Shes in a tank mabye 30-40 gallons i'm not sure it has a open and close lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

I have one and shes like small medium
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

2 or 3
CUrly- HCA recommends 3 to 5 extra shells per crab. Be sure to look at the 'shells' care sheet to ensure you are offering the appropriate types of shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I just recently got her so I haven't like deep cleaned it but every few weeks 2-3 i scoop the dirt with like a cat scoop but its samll

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
yes i don't know how to clean them
Curly - You don't need sponges, they just harbor bacteria. Be sure your crabs have a way to get in and out of the pools, if they are deep.

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

nope
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.)?
She is normally very active climbing and all that stuff

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Hi, so I need help and don't know what to do. Okay so when i First got my hermit crab witch was a month ago she was not very active and would stay buried then one day she changed shells and was thriving for the past few weeks I haven't seen her at all and that wasn't like her so today I decided to go check on her because I was planning on getting another crab this weekend when I went to dig I saw her shell and saw her moving so I was like okay shes okay I came back to take her out to give her a bath and her shell was empty i saw her and put the shell down immediately she also had a hut over her but I was to scared to put it back over her being that she's out of the shell I thought that she was dead but I don't smell anything I don't want her to die im really scared I didn't want to take her out either because I don't know if she's molting
Curly - It is not recommended to dig up crabs - however your substrate may be more harmful than your digging him up. You should not bath crabs, they carry a mix of salt and fresh water in their shell. If your crab is currently out of it's shell, look at the 'naked crab' care sheet - it details what to do. You have a few things to do to improve your tank conditions, but the first priority is getting her into a shell.

Crabbie19 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 27, 2024 2:20 am

It sounds to me like your crab is attempting to molt. This is the process where they shed their exoskeleton and grow a new one. They usually bulk up on nutrients beforehand, sometimes change shells, and dig below the surface. The process can take several months and your crab is very vulnerable during it. It is important not to dig them up or disturb them as much as possible during this process. Also, if your crab was moving, that’s good news! If they passed away, you will know by the smell automatically (but that will take a few days to develop).

Based on your response, I would also add more shells for your crab to choose from. Additionally, hermit crabs are a social species that do not generally enjoy being alone, so getting them a friend would be good!

What used to be thought of a social behavior is not known to be more about resource sharing.
Also to note, that if a crab dies undergound, a person may not smell it at all.

Okay thanks for all your help. I left her alone in her crabitat and she went back into her shell. I don't think she's dead I don't smell anything. I put some more shells, and i'm looking to get her a friend or 2 but its just really hard where I live.

Ciara achee wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:25 am

Okay thanks for all your help. I left her alone in her crabitat and she went back into her shell. I don't think she's dead I don't smell anything. I put some more shells, and i'm looking to get her a friend or 2 but its just really hard where I live.

I'm glad she went back in her shell - a naked crab is an emergency, as they will die without a shell.
I hope that you make some changes in your tank, to ensure that this crab and any future crabs have the best chance at survival. Be sure to feed her some high energy foods, and a source of calcium - what she went through may be traumatic and deplete her energy.