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? Hermit crab sand over 2 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? Yes 79 Degrees F and 88 humidy


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? two Reptile under tank heating pads 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)? freshwater I use zoo med drinking water as well as salt water with open ocean salt and tap water conditioner for the salt water API brand


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Fresh fruits, vegetables and meats such as crab meat and occasionally a small piece of hotdog. I also give them carrots, cashews, almost and river shrimp as well as cocunut and cutter bone


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? A few months the other crab I got from the person passed away I still don’t know why. I’m afraid he might die too. Not sure what he is I think a purple pincher


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? yes. I think three months ago.


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? I’m not sure the size but I think it’s a 30. Here are the dimensions 23½x17½x13 inch.


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 and about it the size of a golf ball. They are a little bigger than a golf ball

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 5


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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? every week and by using a scooper that sifts through the sand. I then replace the sand with new sand. I throw away any old food and waste


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? yes but not in the water dish.


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.)?
I don’t know what happened but he was sitting in front of the food dish. I moved him out of his hole while I was cleaning it the day before. I think it might’ve done something. I made a new hole and put him in it hoping it will help. He hasn’t moved and his claw was limp. I’m super afraid I did something and I’ll never forgive myself.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.


.

Please help me I’m scared of losing him

This sounds like a molt, however the sabd is too shallow for a hermit crab so i would suggest making that deeper. If your hermit crab is dead however, it will smell like rotting fish. If he is dead you may not have done anything wrong, it happens
Don't mess with him though to reduce the chance of hurting him

Altaccforhermitsssss wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2024 6:03 am

This sounds like a molt, however the sabd is too shallow for a hermit crab so i would suggest making that deeper. If your hermit crab is dead however, it will smell like rotting fish. If he is dead you may not have done anything wrong, it happens
Don't mess with him though to reduce the chance of hurting him

Okay! So I bought some play sand I put a ton in and now it’s 6 1/2 inches! Almost 7. I plan to add the coconut fiber tomorrow it is shipping unfortunately. I checked on him today and blew on his legs he moved further in his shell so he is okay. That’s how I check because I get paranoid about losing them. I got natural play sand today and was super afraid I was going to lose him. I hope he is okay and will molt fine. The other one is molting as well so I hope now that it’s deeper they will feel more secure.

That’s great, thank you for listening to my suggestions and fixing them. I get scared for my hermits as well. Glad your hermits are doing good

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Hermit crab sand over 2 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? Yes 79 Degrees F and 88 humidy


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? two Reptile under tank heating pads and a heat lamp
Curly - Heat pads are on the back or side, and not underneath 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)? freshwater I use zoo med drinking water as well as salt water with open ocean salt and tap water conditioner for the salt water API brand
Curly - I'm not sure I understand what you are using for water?

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Fresh fruits, vegetables and meats such as crab meat and occasionally a small piece of hotdog. I also give them carrots, cashews, almost and river shrimp as well as cocunut and cutter bone
Curly - Be sure that you are offering sources of calcium. And animal protein daily - the more 'natural' a meat is, the less preservatives there are. Real crab (not the artificial flakes) and seafood, pork, chicken, beef, etc. Don't offer processed meats like hotdogs or cold cuts very often. Variety is key - you can offer all kinds of vegetables, fruits, greens, leaves, etc.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? A few months the other crab I got from the person passed away I still don’t know why. I’m afraid he might die too. Not sure what he is I think a purple pincher


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? yes. I think three months ago.


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? I’m not sure the size but I think it’s a 30. Here are the dimensions 23½x17½x13 inch.


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 and about it the size of a golf ball. They are a little bigger than a golf ball

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 5
Curly - HCA recommends 3 to 5 extra shells per crab. Be sure to read 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?
Nope!

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? every week and by using a scooper that sifts through the sand. I then replace the sand with new sand. I throw away any old food and waste


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? yes but not in the water dish.


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.)?
I don’t know what happened but he was sitting in front of the food dish. I moved him out of his hole while I was cleaning it the day before. I think it might’ve done something. I made a new hole and put him in it hoping it will help. He hasn’t moved and his claw was limp. I’m super afraid I did something and I’ll never forgive myself.
Curly - Sometimes crabs slow down before they need to molt. But if you are worried that he is weak or sick, consider isolating him from your other crab. You can also try offering high energy foods, such as honey and peanut butter.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.