Beach sand 4.5” but our crab is small
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 I do I have a digital one that is located on the side right above the substrate level and it reads both and the temp right now is 82 and the humidity is 84 but when I take the lid off it can drop as low as 74
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes a 6x8” heating pad and placed on the left side right above the substrate level but we don’t have central air and our living room has been 76 so it’s almost warm enough without the heater.
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 have a salt water dish and a pure water dish. I use bottle water for the pure but don’t use a dechlorinator with it. Am I supposed to? For the saltwater I filled a
Gallon of distilled water and mixed in 1/2 cup of Instant Ocean.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I started with JurrassiPet JurrassiDiet then I got coconut and I just received a fruit salad today so he hasn’t tried that yet. I change out the food every other night.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
We got him July 23rd at a local county fair. I believe he’s a purple pincher. The paper they gave us to take home just said he was a tree hermit crab.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No he hasn’t molted yet.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I started with a 5 gallon aquarium the day after we got him but after researching I found out he needed more space so we switched to a 10 gallon which I switched out I think on the 29th. I bought a screen lid which I later found out was no good so I ordered a plexiglass one but haven’t received it but in the mean time I have covered the entire top of the lid with books in order to trap the humidity in.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
There is only one and his shell is about 1.25 inches.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I put 4 in there. They were the first that I bought but since then I ordered another 12 from Etsy. He moved one of them about 4 inches across the sand the other night ago so I don’t know if maybe he was trying it on?
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Every couple days I scoop the poop out but I bought a deodorizing probiotic spray but haven’t used it yet since we switched to a new tank.
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?
Yes everything is new. But I boiled everything in distilled or salt water and baked some items.
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.)?
In his tank he has a coconut hut in the corner, a coconut fiber carpet is hung on the back wall which I mist to keep the humidity up, 2 big fake plants from top to bottom on the left side, multiple little plants buried in the sand around the tank, 4 sisal braided ropes that I attached together and attached to the top of the side and it goes to the middle of his tank where I buried it in the sand, a plastic container wrapped in jute twine and bottom lined with burlap attached to the upper right wall for a second level which I will fill with moss when it comes. There is a jute twine net that I made coming off of one side of the box down to the sand and a cholla stick leading to the other side. There are also 3 additional cholla sticks leading to different climbing places. I’m thinking about hanging burlap down another wall but I feel as if this should be adequate toys for him to climb and play on but
Since we brought him home he has been very inactive. I’m nocturnal myself so I’m up Super late and he hasn’t come out to play while I’m awake except 2 times. The
Day after changing aquariums I couldn’t find him but found a mound of sand so I think he buried himself so I thought maybe he was going to molt but after a couple days I saw tracks in the sand. Today I found him in his new upper level which I lined with burlap so when I add the moss that’s supposed to arrive tomorrow it won’t fall through. I noticed in the corner he has torn up maybe eaten the burlap. Is that bad for
Him. I was excited to see fake plants
Unburied and dug up sand though.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Our little Hermie constantly seems exhausted. He has shown signs of play on only a couple of nights. When we woke up today we found him in his new upper level basket. I put coconut up there to attract him towards it. I read that hermit crabs sleep inside of their shells but he is hanging half way out. Like I can see his eyes. And he hasn’t moved all day long. It’s 3:08 and he’s still in the same exact place. Still hanging halfway out of his shell. What’s wrong with our little Guy? I feel as if I’ve provided a good home for him so I don’t know why he’s so idle and hanging half out of his shell. My 8 year old son and I are so worried And don’t know what to do. Is he dying? Thank you for your help.
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