HCA: Hermit Crab Association

aimeeding 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?
6 inches of Fluker's hermit beach

CL77-Is it moistened to sand castle consistency using dechlor fresh/salt water? Also, that sand is safe, but pretty expensive. You can use play sand instead, and you can get 50 lbs of it for $5-$6.

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?
Middle of the tank, 60% humidity and 80 degrees

CL77- 60% humidity is too low. Crabs have modified gills and need moisture in the air to breathe. I see you use a heat lamp. That can zap humidity. Can you ditch the heat lamp and add a uth on each side of the tank instead (in addition to the one on the back)? Then you can saran wrap the entire lid.


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
UTH along the back wall + dome light

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 water- bottled

CL77- Bottled water is fine, but expensive. I would still add a dechlorinator/heavy metal detoxifier to it. Bottled water is pretty unregulated, so you never know what's in there. You can use tap water with a dechlorinator (like Prime) instead. You'll also need a marine salt water pool. A popular marine salt is Instant Ocean. Follow the directions on the bag/box.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Hermit Grub complete mixes, every other day

CL77-No need to replace dry foods everyday if they aren't moldy. Also, make sure you offer a variety of foods. Lots of protein and calcium should always be available. Check out the safe food list for some ideas.

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

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
She usually molts every 6 months. She had been down for 2-3 weeks before another crab dug her up.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10gal tank, wire lid covered in Saran Wrap

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2, fit in the palm of my hand

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

CL77-Are they the correct type of shells? Purple Pinchers usually prefer shells with round openings, like turbos.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I replace all the sand every 6 months

CL77-No need to do a deep clean unless there is a bacterial bloom or flood.

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.)?
I used to have a salt water dish in the tank, but the crabs never used it.

CL77- just because you don't see them using it doesn't mean they aren't. Most PPs are toe dippers, and never actually get in their pools and fully submerge.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
My crab is molting and she now has white fuzzy mold on her. She is NOT DEAD. She is out of her shell in a plastic isolation container since the other crab dug her up 2 weeks ago. I believe she originally buried herself 2 weeks before that. The container has about 3/4" of moist sand in it and the shell she originally buried herself in. The container is in the tank. I have noticed her moving her limbs slightly every day since I have moved her to the container.

Should I remove the mold? My only idea was to dip a paintbrush in Prime water and brush it off. I appreciate any advice in this delicate situation.

CL77- that's good you isolated her. You'll need to get her back into a shell asap. A crab without a shell will not survive. Here is the care sheet on how to do that (it also describes how to clean her off):

https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 7&t=122302

You'll need to get the humidity up asap. If it is consistently below 70%, it can cause stress and/or death. If you can still maintain a temp of 75° without the lamp, I wouldn't use the lamp at all. The temp will still be warm enough, and the humidity should rise. Then grab a uth for each side of the tank instead when you can.