New crab not moving

[Mdestefano]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
play sand, 6 inches and some eco earth on top.

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 have an electronic gauge to measure temperature. It’s on the opposite side of the tank from my heat pad. It reads around 75 so I assume on the side with the heat pad it’s around 78. I don’t have anything to read humidity yet but it is quite humid in there and the tank is often foggy.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, I have a heat pad attached to 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 and salt are both available. The salt is instant ocean. It’s dechlorinated with a drop of seachem prime. In the four days I’ve had my hermit crab, I’ve only seen him go in saltwater and clean his shell.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I Have put a variety in there. Organic always. Blueberries, unsweetened coconut, earthworm castings, dried worms etc... I’ve only had my hermit crab for 4 days and I’ve yet to notice him eating anything.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
4 days and Ecuadorian.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I don’t know.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
It’s a 10 gallon tank with a glass lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
I have 1 small hermit crab.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
None yet but I have some being shipped.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
I don’t think so.

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven’t had to clean it 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?
Everything’s new. A lot of plastic objects that are meant for aquariums. I boiled everything before putting them in the tank.

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.)?
He was surprise gifted to me 4 days ago. I’ve never owned a hermit crab before and was unprepared for this. He was gifted in one of those small petstore setups that are obviously not okay. I quickly gathered supplies to provide the hermit crab with all the things he’d need. It took me two days to have everything fully set up. In the first two days I’m the small tank, he was very active and would spend most of his time moving around. During this time I didn’t see him eat and I saw him clean out his shell in salt water once.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
After the first two active days in the small tank, I moved him at night into the properly set up tank. He spent 1 hour climbing around his new things and adventuring. After an hour, he climbed onto a section on eco earth and dug down about one inch. This was three days ago at night. This was the first time he’d dug at all since I’d had him. Since three days ago, he hasn’t left his 1 inch deep spot. He’s pressed up against the side of the tank so I can see him. His legs and claws are out. For one full day he was buried an inch but this morning he was closer to the surface and his shell was exposed with no dirt on top. I know he’s alive because I’ve walked around the back of the tank and he will retract back into his shell quickly. I’m hoping that the fact that he’s closer to the surface now means he’s coming out of his funk. I know his lack of movement could be a variety of things, especially pps, but I’m hoping it’s just stress and he’s trying to acclimate. Has anyone ever dealt with this before upon purchase and any advice on what to do? I know messing with him at all during this stage could push him further into stress but I’m not sure what to do. I know waiting it out is really the only option but I’d love some advice because I would feel terrible if my new hermit crab died. Thank you for your help in advance.

[crabs_lex]

he could just be destressing or getting ready to molt i wouldn’t worry because many new crabs will want to molt right away once in the right home
he also just might need time to get used to it
my crabs and like always buried so i’m just used to it lol
but you should just let him do his thing and all your car it at conditions sound fine to me
i actually just got 2new crabs yesterday and it looks like one had buried down to molt and the other is described as yours is and i’m not worried at all

[Mdestefano]

Thank you for your feedback! That’s super reassuring to hear.

[crabs_lex]

anytime! let me know how he does