New crab owner, need some help
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 2:07 pm
Hello! First time crab caretaker, it's been ~2 weeks and I'm having some issues.
For reference: 2 crabs, seem to be PPs, a bit over golf ball sized. 40 gallon tank, glass lid. Heat is at steady 80F from 2 UTHs attached to the sides above substrate, with thermostat. I've never seen humidity meter drop below 90% so mold is starting to be an issue but they should be breathing fine. I don't have a night vision camera yet, but can track their movements roughly from checking in the morning what has been moved around.
The substrate is the big problem. It seemed perfect at first, but it's compacted more than I expected so now it's too low. And despite the humidity and frequent spraying, it keeps getting drier, particularly on the warmer side of the tank. It currently still technically passes the finger test, but any hole wider than that is prone to collapsing, and it seems to be getting drier. I don't think I can currently replace or add substrate, or add water in any way that risks flooding, since one of the crabs has disappeared underground for over a week, so is quite possibly molting. What should I do?
Less serious an issue, crab #2 is incredibly skittish, only emerging in pitch darkness and immediately seeking cover if there is ever enough light for the slightest human vision. I knew they wouldn't exactly be snuggly pets, but it feels bad to be apparently so scary to them. Anything to be done here?
Finally, should I get another crab? On the one hand, I feel like I shouldn't get another when I'm already having trouble, and according to some numbers the tank is a bit small for three. On the other hand, with #1 (presumably) molting, #2 currently has no others for socializing, not to mention it's up in the air whether #1 will survive at all.
For reference: 2 crabs, seem to be PPs, a bit over golf ball sized. 40 gallon tank, glass lid. Heat is at steady 80F from 2 UTHs attached to the sides above substrate, with thermostat. I've never seen humidity meter drop below 90% so mold is starting to be an issue but they should be breathing fine. I don't have a night vision camera yet, but can track their movements roughly from checking in the morning what has been moved around.
The substrate is the big problem. It seemed perfect at first, but it's compacted more than I expected so now it's too low. And despite the humidity and frequent spraying, it keeps getting drier, particularly on the warmer side of the tank. It currently still technically passes the finger test, but any hole wider than that is prone to collapsing, and it seems to be getting drier. I don't think I can currently replace or add substrate, or add water in any way that risks flooding, since one of the crabs has disappeared underground for over a week, so is quite possibly molting. What should I do?
Less serious an issue, crab #2 is incredibly skittish, only emerging in pitch darkness and immediately seeking cover if there is ever enough light for the slightest human vision. I knew they wouldn't exactly be snuggly pets, but it feels bad to be apparently so scary to them. Anything to be done here?
Finally, should I get another crab? On the one hand, I feel like I shouldn't get another when I'm already having trouble, and according to some numbers the tank is a bit small for three. On the other hand, with #1 (presumably) molting, #2 currently has no others for socializing, not to mention it's up in the air whether #1 will survive at all.