Crab drinking water from condensation from humidity on walls

[Lordhermitcrab]

I found my crab Cavor picking up droplets of water from the condensation from humidity on the glass tank walls.

Is this a sign that there's no water?

See, I've put pools in lately and I haven't noticed the crabs using them at all. Of course, there's one for salt and one for fresh. The nearby vibrations from the air pump have been neutralized with a pillow.

Perhaps the crabs are perturbed by the bubbles coming out of the airstone I have attached to the bottom?

[amart24]

Nah, he probably just found it and thought "Hey neat water".

[hermitcrabdc]

Drinking water off the wall isn't unusual. They'll even eat sand off the walls sometimes.
I don't see my crabs in the pools much either, and I've had pools for 2 years. Some crabs like them more than others. There's also the chance that they're drinking from the pools while you're asleep. They do most of their eating and drinking when we're sleeping.
Bubbler pools shouldn't scare them from the dishes. If you think it is you may try turning off the pump for a few days and see how they react

[Lordhermitcrab]

Thanks for the advice.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

Mine drink water off the walls all the time. Especially Thor.

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[wodesorel]

I had a couple that would sit in the humidifier outflow and drink from that!

[Lordhermitcrab]

I've seen three in total now do it. I really worry that they're not using the pool and at the risk of death via dehydration.

Through testing, I have exposed many of the crabs to the pools and the gravel ramps, and they've had no real trouble getting out.

Maybe the water's too cold?

[megmaholm]

If your tank is a good temp, the water is warm enough. Any sign of them going in or using the pools, like sand at the bottom or anything?

I wouldn't worry too much. They'll drink when they're thirsty and some are just weird - I have plenty that think condensation and sand off the glass is gourmet and better than anything else I offer. :roll:

[Lordhermitcrab]

There could be new sand in the bottom of both pools, but I can't be sure. Getting the pools in required some pre-emptive digging by myself and I got a little bit of substrate in there, myself. But who can say whether they've added to it? No one.

I figure that if they really need it, they'll probably find it eventually.

EDIT:

I think they actually found it now. One is dipping into with a leg on the edge, so he's drinking the water. I think my jumbo, Frasier, has been in recently, too, because his shell was clean 20 minutes ago and now its plastered with substrate, as if it was cover with water...

[marandashermies]

There is a very good chance they are using the pools at night. the crabs in my 20g NEVER use the pools during the day, but the following morning, they are full of sand.
My Straws are kind of a different story...they are probably in the pools for about 65% of the night. If they are not submerged sitting on top of the air stone, they are on the ledge or climbing the vines next to the pools. I have one crab who even sleeps on a vine that sits right on the ledge of my fw pool. He tucks in and will sleep for 12-14 hours there. I also see them use the pools in the daytime, but not nearly as much as the night.

However, I think PP's do a lot more nocturnal swimming/drinking. But they know the pools are there and will use them. Unfortunately, its usually when we aren't looking :roll: