worst day ever.:(

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:44 pm

Last night I found my largest crab Houdini dead in the 'tat at about 2 am. He had been really lethargic for the past few days and sitting in the salt water bowl for hours at a time so I knew it was coming. So I checked everyone else to see if they were ok, i-Pinch was not. She was just kinda hanging out of her shell moving very little so I hand fed her honey dipped in cuttlebone powder and she ate quite a lot of it. I just woke up with a splitting headache and found her dead.

To top it all off I switched out the moon glow bulb for the day one and it (the day one) burnt out! [smilie=cry.gif] [smilie=crybaby.gif]

I have no clue whats going on, 2 deaths in one night just does not seem right to me.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
---- Eco Earth x2 bricks, 7" on the deep end and 3" on the shallow end.

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?--- Humidity gauge is half way up the tank and reads between 73% and 79%. Temp is about 2" from the substrate reads between 75* and 80*.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?---Exo Terra 75 watt heat glo (8am-12am) Exo Terra 75 watt night glo (12am-8am)

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)?---I use Insto Chlor by Jungle Laboratories, 1 drop per half gallon. Instant Ocean 1/4 cup per half gallon.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?--- I feed only fresh food: Shrimp, oranges, unsalted nuts, banana chips, peas. Pretty much any fruits and veggies I have around the house.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
--- Both were PP's about 3 weeks

7. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? --- 30g glass tank with hood.

8. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
--- 6 including the 2 dead ones. Size ranged from small to small large.

9. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
--- about 15, I am having a hard time finding more of the right sizes.

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

11. How often do you clean the tank and how?---N/A
12. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?---No.

13. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?---No.

14. 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 pretty much leave them alone.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:39 pm

Aww! Im so sorry about your losses! It sounds like just one of those things...?? Nobody has infections right? These can spread. And also, check for any mold. Just in case.

bksbuddha · Post by **bksbuddha** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:46 pm

I'm so very sorry you lost both of them. One is hard enough, but 2 at the same time is awful. I'm not seeing anything off in the tat & believe it's PPS, 3 weeks isn't that long. Some of them just can't handle the stress. How long have you had the others? I do hope that they continue to thrive for you. And I hope your headache goes away soon! [smilie=hug.gif]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:54 am

If you still have your receipt take the bulb back to the store... if not write the manufacturer. I did ... I had moon glos that kept burining out fast and so I returned one to the Petstore and another I sent back to the company for a replacement.

Hermit_of_Hermit_Crabs · Post by **Hermit_of_Hermit_Crabs** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:15 am

I would definitely agree that PPS is what caused them to die when they did. The PPS period in my experience lasts on average around 5 weeks give or take a few weeks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:42 am

So sorry for the deaths!

I agree that they both passed from PPS. There are different views as to how long PPS actually lasts. Most people believe it lasts from 4-6 weeks. Others of us (including Tammy at crabbagepatch.com) believe that it lasts up until the completion of the first molt with you.

Since both crabs have been with you for only 3 weeks. PPS is the most likely cause of their deaths. PPs are thje hardiest of species, normally, but even they can succumb to it. One of my large PPs, that I have had for a little over a month, passed away this past week, so I feel your pain.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:59 pm

Thanks everyone [smilie=grouphug.gif] I guess PPS makes sense. I was just in shock to lose 2 crabbies in one day. Everyone else seems to be pretty good....for now. I feel a lot better now that the deaths are not my fault. At least they passed in better conditions then the cup they were in at wallmart.

Unfortunately I did not keep the receipt or the box the bulb came in, live and learn I guess.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:32 pm

Buy another the same thing... then use that receipt and box to return it.