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?
Disinfected/sun-dried beach sand.
1-2inches

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?
I don't have any gauges

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A black heat pad on the side

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 bottled water and salt water for the molting crab


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Vegetables, crab food, fruits like strawberries.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About a year

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Started molting 2-3 weeks ago

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Plastic with a blue lid
About 7x4 inches

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4, two medium 2 small

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
3

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Every 2-4 weeks
Oven baked after removing everything

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes
Washed out with bottled water

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.)?
Bathe them every two weeks and let them climb often.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I accidentally found my molting crab and had to take him out since I was cleaning the sand. After i baked the sand, I set up an isolation chamber within the enclosure (had food, water, salt water, and spare shells). That was a week ago. I checked on the crab and could find him today. He's not in any shells and not in the sand. And since he's in the molting process I'm scared they may die. I dont smell anything so I dont think he's dead yet but I am not sure.

.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Disinfected/sun-dried beach sand.
1-2inches
Curly - We don't recommend using sand from a beach, as it can contain harmful bacteria, microplastics, etc. Play sand is cheap in 50lb bags. You can mix in some coco fiber if you want. It should be moistened with dechlorinated water so that it is 'sand castle' consistency.

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?
I don't have any gauges
Curly - Gauges are essential. Crabs have modified gills and need humidity around 80% in order to breathe. Temps should also be around 80F.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A black heat pad on the side
Curly - Your thermometer will tell you if this is enough heat, or too much.

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 bottled water and salt water for the molting crab
Curly - Bottled water is often unregulated. We recommend tap water treated with a dechlorinator. And marine salt to then make salt water. See our 'water' care sheet for more info.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Vegetables, crab food, fruits like strawberries.
Curly - Most commercial foods contain preservatives that can be harmful long term. Crabs need a varied diet that includes animal protein daily, as well as a source of calcium. They should be given fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, grains, greens, meat, etc. See our 'nutrition' care sheet for more info.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About a year

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Started molting 2-3 weeks ago

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Plastic with a blue lid
About 7x4 inches
Curly - This is too small to safely house crabs.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4, two medium 2 small

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
3
Curly - HCA recommends 3 to 5 extra shells per crab. See our 'shells' care sheet to ensure that 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?
Every 2-4 weeks
Oven baked after removing everything
Curly - If you have proper substrate, you don't need to deep clean the tank this often, just surface cleaning up the poop and bits of food that get dragged around.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes
Washed out with bottled water
Curly - Sponges just hold bacteria, they are not recommended.

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.)?
Bathe them every two weeks and let them climb often.
Curly - Crabs carry a mix of salt and fresh water in their shell, and bathing can disrupt this balance. Don't bath them, they will go in the water on their own. If you are going to take them out, we recommend waiting until at least after a successful molt or two.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I accidentally found my molting crab and had to take him out since I was cleaning the sand. After i baked the sand, I set up an isolation chamber within the enclosure (had food, water, salt water, and spare shells). That was a week ago. I checked on the crab and could find him today. He's not in any shells and not in the sand. And since he's in the molting process I'm scared they may die. I dont smell anything so I dont think he's dead yet but I am not sure.
Curly - You should not dig up molting crabs. If a crab is underground, do not disturb the substrate unless there is an emergency like a flood or bacterial bloom What did he look like when you found him? Had he eaten his exoskeleton? What type of container did you have him in for isolation?