Hello, I have crabs for about 4 days now. I have 3 small/medium clypeatus in a 5 gallon tank with all the stuff they need. My temperature is 75 and my humidity stays between 65/90.
I'm just asking if this is normal, two of my crabs are buriing themselves for the day and the other just stay in the middle of my thank and he is out of his shell (not completely but out like when they walk) and don't move for hours. When the night comes, he never stop looking at a too large shell. The other comes to the surface and just walking around slowly. I have many climbing things but they no one climb, they are just walking around.
New Crabs
Re: New Crabs
Hiding and digging are normal behaviors, especially for newer crabs.
Do try to keep your humidity above 70%. Anything below that for too long can damage gills. Your temperature is also at the lowest recommended for PPs and you may see more activity if you bump it up some.
More on humidity: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 26&t=92544.
PP care sheet: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 51&t=92452.
There are many other care articles here as well that are worth reading: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... m.php?f=51.
Do try to keep your humidity above 70%. Anything below that for too long can damage gills. Your temperature is also at the lowest recommended for PPs and you may see more activity if you bump it up some.
More on humidity: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 26&t=92544.
PP care sheet: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 51&t=92452.
There are many other care articles here as well that are worth reading: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... m.php?f=51.
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NeatHedgehog
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2015 2:08 pm
Re: New Crabs
Everything CallaLily said, especially about temp and humidity. Although not a long time crabber, I can attest mine are indeed much happier the closer to 80f and 80% humidity I can keep things. The occasional, accidental drop in temp or humidity won't kill them outright, but just the same, you wouldn't go for a hike in Alaska in your T-shirt whereas if you pop out the door for a minute to get your paper you're ok.
A couple particulars I wanted to point out, too. Do you have other shells for them to pick from aside from the one that's too large? Try swishing other shells in saltwater to promote interest in them.
And they are probably not climbing or very energetic because they're stressed after moving, and they're not taking to the borderline conditions in the tank very well. Boost your temp a couple degrees and keep the humidity over 75%, and give them some honey or honeyed oats to perk them up a bit (my fresh buys became much more lively after they ate some).
A couple particulars I wanted to point out, too. Do you have other shells for them to pick from aside from the one that's too large? Try swishing other shells in saltwater to promote interest in them.
And they are probably not climbing or very energetic because they're stressed after moving, and they're not taking to the borderline conditions in the tank very well. Boost your temp a couple degrees and keep the humidity over 75%, and give them some honey or honeyed oats to perk them up a bit (my fresh buys became much more lively after they ate some).
Re: New Crabs
Thank you for the information! Yesterday I bought an under tank heater that I put on the side. I just turned on my heating lamp plus the UTH and the temperature is now about 83! And for the humidity I bought also bought a spray yesterday so I think it will help! And finally for the shells I have about 7-8.