HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi All. I am new to the group but I have visited many posts and forums as an observer over the last several weeks.
Last year during spring break I got two PP's for my kids, typical beach shop set up. I asked them to do some research to make the right habitat and I had believed they did. After a few months of living in a tote, with no heat, no humidity, no sub, and using table salt in a tap water pool; one died. The death was reported to me by the kids and I didn't think much of it, sadly.
Then, a couple months later, one of the kids thought our larger crab(Pinchy) was too hot and soaked him in ICE WATER. The little guy was brought to me hanging out of his shell, lifeless. My instinct was to warm him up, so I blasted him with a hairdryer...yes, a hairdryer. I thought he was surely gone but he began to move and I saw an antenna flick. At that time I did some of my own research and decided he needed to be cared for by me.
For about six weeks now, he's been living in a 10gallon tank, the heat and humidity are at 80/80, safe water, a variety of food, 6 inches of sub, extra shells and all the other basic needs. He has a companion now too. Surprisingly, he seems to be flourishing. I have even changed his name to "Scrap Iron" since he's obviously a tough one. It's obvious to me now that he was languishing in a torture prison, but considering all that he went through I am pleasantly surprised that he is doing well. He's made a shell change, and he seems to have gone down for what will be his first molt(down 6 days now).
I have also been totally captivated by these animals. They are fantastic creatures, and I truly wish I had educated myself on the proper care and environment to avoid the loss of his first companion and making him go through a very horrible time.
Each day, I find myself watching the tank like it was a favorite tv show, every climb, antenna flick, and pool visit makes me feel like a proud dad.

Considering the trauma that he went through, has anyone experienced a crab coming back and behaving normally from so much?

Thanks to each of you.

Again, cannot say I am disappointed in a new owner!
Great job, you've learned some tips!

Definitely, don't allow young kids to handle hermit crabs, or give them the freedom to do it whenever wanted.
I'm glad you took charge, nice work!

stellaplusrocky wrote:Again, cannot say I am disappointed in a new owner!
Great job, you've learned some tips!

Definitely, don't allow young kids to handle hermit crabs, or give them the freedom to do it whenever wanted.
I'm glad you took charge, nice work!

--------------------------
Yes, the crabs are now off-limits to the kids. Have you personally experienced a crab coming back to a normal level of health after some type of trauma?

That he stayed alive for a week, didn't drop limbs, and then buried to molt are all excellent signs. Molting though is their most dangerous time, a lot can go wrong and it takes a lot of energy to pull off. I think there is a good chance he will be okay but there is no way to know for sure unless he comes back up in a few months. Totally healthy looking crabs can die during a molt, and one that has been through trauma is obviously at more risk.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

RyanScott81 wrote:

stellaplusrocky wrote:Again, cannot say I am disappointed in a new owner!
Great job, you've learned some tips!

Definitely, don't allow young kids to handle hermit crabs, or give them the freedom to do it whenever wanted.
I'm glad you took charge, nice work!

--------------------------
Yes, the crabs are now off-limits to the kids. Have you personally experienced a crab coming back to a normal level of health after some type of trauma?

Yep, Henry lost his shell, got attacked, had his shell stolen five times, and survived!
He loves to sit about, and eat popcorn!

RyanScott81 wrote:Hi All. I am new to the group but I have visited many posts and forums as an observer over the last several weeks.
Last year during spring break I got two PP's for my kids, typical beach shop set up. I asked them to do some research to make the right habitat and I had believed they did. After a few months of living in a tote, with no heat, no humidity, no sub, and using table salt in a tap water pool; one died. The death was reported to me by the kids and I didn't think much of it, sadly.
Then, a couple months later, one of the kids thought our larger crab(Pinchy) was too hot and soaked him in ICE WATER. The little guy was brought to me hanging out of his shell, lifeless. My instinct was to warm him up, so I blasted him with a hairdryer...yes, a hairdryer. I thought he was surely gone but he began to move and I saw an antenna flick. At that time I did some of my own research and decided he needed to be cared for by me.
For about six weeks now, he's been living in a 10gallon tank, the heat and humidity are at 80/80, safe water, a variety of food, 6 inches of sub, extra shells and all the other basic needs. He has a companion now too. Surprisingly, he seems to be flourishing. I have even changed his name to "Scrap Iron" since he's obviously a tough one. It's obvious to me now that he was languishing in a torture prison, but considering all that he went through I am pleasantly surprised that he is doing well. He's made a shell change, and he seems to have gone down for what will be his first molt(down 6 days now).
I have also been totally captivated by these animals. They are fantastic creatures, and I truly wish I had educated myself on the proper care and environment to avoid the loss of his first companion and making him go through a very horrible time.
Each day, I find myself watching the tank like it was a favorite tv show, every climb, antenna flick, and pool visit makes me feel like a proud dad.

Considering the trauma that he went through, has anyone experienced a crab coming back and behaving normally from so much?

Thanks to each of you.

I think alot of us have gone through a similar situation. My 18yr old daughter went to Florida for a week, came back with 2 crabs, in one of those small "tanks". Just a tad of sand. I didn't even think of researching. They were hers. She gave them to a friend when she left for college but a month later the friend gave them back. So it was up to me to take care of them. That's when I researched. Oh boy!! I'm still amazed they lived like that for 3 months. For a creature that stresses so easily, they sure are hearty. I now have 6 crabs in a 90 gallon tank.

Hermiesguardian wrote:

RyanScott81 wrote:Hi All. I am new to the group but I have visited many posts and forums as an observer over the last several weeks.
Last year during spring break I got two PP's for my kids, typical beach shop set up. I asked them to do some research to make the right habitat and I had believed they did. After a few months of living in a tote, with no heat, no humidity, no sub, and using table salt in a tap water pool; one died. The death was reported to me by the kids and I didn't think much of it, sadly.
Then, a couple months later, one of the kids thought our larger crab(Pinchy) was too hot and soaked him in ICE WATER. The little guy was brought to me hanging out of his shell, lifeless. My instinct was to warm him up, so I blasted him with a hairdryer...yes, a hairdryer. I thought he was surely gone but he began to move and I saw an antenna flick. At that time I did some of my own research and decided he needed to be cared for by me.
For about six weeks now, he's been living in a 10gallon tank, the heat and humidity are at 80/80, safe water, a variety of food, 6 inches of sub, extra shells and all the other basic needs. He has a companion now too. Surprisingly, he seems to be flourishing. I have even changed his name to "Scrap Iron" since he's obviously a tough one. It's obvious to me now that he was languishing in a torture prison, but considering all that he went through I am pleasantly surprised that he is doing well. He's made a shell change, and he seems to have gone down for what will be his first molt(down 6 days now).
I have also been totally captivated by these animals. They are fantastic creatures, and I truly wish I had educated myself on the proper care and environment to avoid the loss of his first companion and making him go through a very horrible time.
Each day, I find myself watching the tank like it was a favorite tv show, every climb, antenna flick, and pool visit makes me feel like a proud dad.

Considering the trauma that he went through, has anyone experienced a crab coming back and behaving normally from so much?

Thanks to each of you.

I think alot of us have gone through a similar situation. My 18yr old daughter went to Florida for a week, came back with 2 crabs, in one of those small "tanks". Just a tad of sand. I didn't even think of researching. They were hers. She gave them to a friend when she left for college but a month later the friend gave them back. So it was up to me to take care of them. That's when I researched. Oh boy!! I'm still amazed they lived like that for 3 months. For a creature that stresses so easily, they sure are hearty. I now have 6 crabs in a 90 gallon tank.

----------------------
Thanks for sharing the story. This gives me hope for my little trooper.

wodesorel wrote:That he stayed alive for a week, didn't drop limbs, and then buried to molt are all excellent signs. Molting though is their most dangerous time, a lot can go wrong and it takes a lot of energy to pull off. I think there is a good chance he will be okay but there is no way to know for sure unless he comes back up in a few months. Totally healthy looking crabs can die during a molt, and one that has been through trauma is obviously at more risk.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

--------------------------------
I have not seen any signs of distress or injury, and he even looked and moved well before he burrowed. He ate with gusto, taking down lots of peanut butter, dried shrimp, he pulverized a walnut and his cuttlebone too. He nibbled at a few fresh veggies and fruit, but it was clear that he was more interested in fats and protein. I got to see him adding shell water and doing some soaking also. Now that he is down I give the tank a good sniff every day just to see if I can detect a telltale odor, so far so good. When he comes up, you will all hear about it.

Thanks

Hi RyanScott! I am late to the party, but I just wanted to say Welcome to the HCA!

I also wanted to mention that molting takes time...and no matter how worried you get...don't dig!!!

I know you have another crab at the moment as well, but when our crabs are down, we refer to our crabitats as "Pet sand"

GotButterflies wrote:Hi RyanScott! I am late to the party, but I just wanted to say Welcome to the HCA!

I also wanted to mention that molting takes time...and no matter how worried you get...don't dig!!!

I know you have another crab at the moment as well, but when our crabs are down, we refer to our crabitats as "Pet sand"

------------------------
Thanks very much! I am happy to have finally come out of the bushes and be a member here.

Since my original post, I have been very careful to not disturb the tank and let the molting process take its course. The night before last, my big guy came up, ate, changed shells again, and made a shallow burrow under a branch. Yesterday evening, he was moving around a bit and I got a pretty good look at him; he appears to not have molted. He was down for just two weeks, so that was to little time, and he does not have fresh leg tips or new hair. He has slightly less color and is a wee bit ashy looking, but he still looks good. He ate some more also, mostly some coconut, and a little shrimp.
So, I'm just going to keep monitoring and being patient. I believe he is doing well overall, and if there was something to be concerned about it would have already been present.

Meanwhile, I am gathering materials for a new set up in a 37 gallon tank. Once I feel like he is stable after his first molt and his tank mate comes up, I'll get it set up and move them in. Eventually, I will add one more tank mate and let the 37 gallon set up run for a while.

Thanks again.

Sometimes they will change shells right before or after a molt. Great job on being patient! You have to have patience to be a crab owner/caretaker! LOL

We are here for you if you need guidance!

Congrats with the hermits!