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 7" 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, located in the middle of the tank. 27°C, 84%


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Heating mat on the back on 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)? Fresh water, and salt water pools - unsure of brand at the moment


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Combination of fruits, veggies, softened pellets, cooked unseasoned meat. Replaced Daily


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? I've had 1 crab for about a year. And adopted 2 more a week ago in an emergency situation. Unsure of species but they're all on the larger side. Approx 4"


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? No


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 30 gallon tank with plexiglass lid


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 3..see above


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 4-6


[i][color=#A9A9A9]11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No


[i][color=#A9A9A9]12. How often do you clean the tank and how? , daily spot cleaning. New substrate approx every 6 months


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? Yes - boiled


[i][color=#A9A9A9]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.)? no


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

One of the 2 crabs that I adopted last week is in very poor condition. He seems to be missing 2 full legs, His large claw and the tip of one other leg. His color is pale red. He doesn't seem to move around at all unless I pick him up and move him. I'm unsure if he's eating or drinking. I found him naked early last week and used the container method to get him back in a shell where he's been ever since. I'm not sure what to do, if anything, to help him recover and molt so he can regrow limbs. Please help!


.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Coconut fiber 7" deep
Curly - Your crabs are large, so I'm not sure your substrate is deep enough. It should be at least 2-3 times as deep as your largest crab.

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, located in the middle of the tank. 27°C, 84%


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Heating mat on the back on 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)? Fresh water, and salt water pools - unsure of brand at the moment
Curly - Let us know when you know the brands. Many dechlorinators don't remove everything we need them to, and many brands of salt don't provide all the minerals needed.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Combination of fruits, veggies, softened pellets, cooked unseasoned meat. Replaced Daily
Curly - Crabs do best with a variety of foods. What brand of pellets are they? Most aren't a good source of nutrition, and some contain preservatives that may not be safe long term. As well as a source of animal protein, crabs also need a calcium source daily.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? I've had 1 crab for about a year. And adopted 2 more a week ago in an emergency situation. Unsure of species but they're all on the larger side. Approx 4"
Curly - Your tank may not be large enough for three crabs of that size. Here's our care sheet about that:

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=92541

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? No
Curly - Even the one you have had for a year hasn't molted in that time?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 30 gallon tank with plexiglass lid


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 3..see above


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 4-6
Curly - HCA recommends 3 to 5 extra shells per crab. Be sure you are offering the preferred types of shells.

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552

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


12. How often do you clean the tank and how? , daily spot cleaning. New substrate approx every 6 months


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? Yes - boiled
Curly - Sponges just harbor bacteria, and are not needed. If your pools/ water bowls are deep, be sure that your crabs have a way to crawl out.

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.)? no


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

One of the 2 crabs that I adopted last week is in very poor condition. He seems to be missing 2 full legs, His large claw and the tip of one other leg. His color is pale red. He doesn't seem to move around at all unless I pick him up and move him. I'm unsure if he's eating or drinking. I found him naked early last week and used the container method to get him back in a shell where he's been ever since. I'm not sure what to do, if anything, to help him recover and molt so he can regrow limbs. Please help!
Curly - If he is weak, consider isolating him from your other crabs. Crabs drop legs and their shell when they are weak, in a last ditch effort to preserve energy. Feed high energy foods like peanut butter and honey, and lots of animal protein. Be sure that your sub is deep enough, consider a larger tank as well.

Just two things I would like to add that I would do personally and a question.
You should mix in some sand with your coco fiber as well, I like to do a 5:1 ratio of playsand to coco fiber.
I would get rid if the pellets alltogether because they are just so packed full of preservatives and other ingredients. You can get meal mixes off of Etsy for your crabs!
What type of gauges do you have? Analog ones are usually inaccurate.
Good luck!

HermitGuy3 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2025 4:05 pm

Just two things I would like to add that I would do personally and a question.
You should mix in some sand with your coco fiber as well, I like to do a 5:1 ratio of playsand to coco fiber.
I would get rid if the pellets alltogether because they are just so packed full of preservatives and other ingredients. You can get meal mixes off of Etsy for your crabs!
What type of gauges do you have? Analog ones are usually inaccurate.
Good luck!

All play sand, all eco earth or a mix of the two in any ratio are all appropriate substrate.

And there are actually a number of commercial / pellet foods that are totally safe. Here is our care sheet:

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92555