First time post molt, help is my crab dead!?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2024 11:21 am
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?
-A mix of cocofiber and play sand. 5-6 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?
-yes heat is 78 degrees, humidity is 80-90. Heat pad is located on side of tank.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes a lizard/hermit crab tank heat pad attached to the outside of one of the tank panels
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 water from the pre-made petsmart bottles
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
A mix of hermit crab medley from petsmart and I add in carrots, apples, etc replaced after a day or two
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Roughly 3 weeks and unknown
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Did an above surface molt 24-36 hours ago. Now is in post molt
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
- a five gallon fish tank. The open parts of the fish tank lid are closed off with clear wrap
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
-two. Both small, the smallest is about the size of a quarter and the bigger one between the size of a quarter and 50cent coin (this is the one molted/molting)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
5-7
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Once monthly, haven't cleaned out yet
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No
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.)?
N/a
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
After the crab molted I left the previous exoskeleton as I read they like to eat it after. Yesterday morning he was up standing in his old shell. When I came home from work he was half out the old shell looking like he was eating his previous skin. He has been stuck in the same position since then and went from pale pink to a yellow/black coloring. There is some smell coming from the tank. The crabs antennae are limp. He looks to be about half the size of his previous exoskeleton. Is my crab still alive? I have photos but don't know how to attach them
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
-A mix of cocofiber and play sand. 5-6 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?
-yes heat is 78 degrees, humidity is 80-90. Heat pad is located on side of tank.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes a lizard/hermit crab tank heat pad attached to the outside of one of the tank panels
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 water from the pre-made petsmart bottles
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
A mix of hermit crab medley from petsmart and I add in carrots, apples, etc replaced after a day or two
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Roughly 3 weeks and unknown
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Did an above surface molt 24-36 hours ago. Now is in post molt
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
- a five gallon fish tank. The open parts of the fish tank lid are closed off with clear wrap
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
-two. Both small, the smallest is about the size of a quarter and the bigger one between the size of a quarter and 50cent coin (this is the one molted/molting)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
5-7
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Once monthly, haven't cleaned out yet
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No
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.)?
N/a
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
After the crab molted I left the previous exoskeleton as I read they like to eat it after. Yesterday morning he was up standing in his old shell. When I came home from work he was half out the old shell looking like he was eating his previous skin. He has been stuck in the same position since then and went from pale pink to a yellow/black coloring. There is some smell coming from the tank. The crabs antennae are limp. He looks to be about half the size of his previous exoskeleton. Is my crab still alive? I have photos but don't know how to attach them