Is my hermit crab depressed?

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
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crabsinacoat
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Is my hermit crab depressed?

Post by crabsinacoat » Sun Apr 03, 2022 7:41 pm

I currently have 3 hermit crabs in a large tank, around New Years one of my other crabs died and ever since then my smallest crab, Ghost, has been acting bad. He eats and drinks alright but he seems sad, and weak. He had to change into a smaller shell and still acts like it’s too heavy he barley moves around and can’t flip himself over, he was fine before my other crab died and I’m worried for him.
My other two crabs are acting very good they are active and eat plenty. My tank has both salt and fresh water and lots of food, many places to climb.
I’m so worried about him. He is much smaller then the other two so does he need a similar sized friend or just more crabs in general? Or is there anything else I can do for him?
If anyone has gone through something similar please give me advice, I want my poor Ghost crab to be happy


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CrabbyLover77
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Re: Is my hermit crab depressed?

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Sun Apr 03, 2022 8:51 pm

Hi there,

Would you mind filling out the emergency template so we can get a better look into your tank conditions? Thanks.

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102

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Topic author
crabsinacoat
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Re: Is my hermit crab depressed?

Post by crabsinacoat » Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:51 pm

1 eco earth 2-3/12 inches deep
2 no
3 a heat pad on one side of tank
4 salt and fresh, I mix 1/2 cup of sea salt per gallon
5 nuts lettuce, dried coconut strips, fruit and dried meal worms once or twice a week
6 pp I’ve had him for about a year
7 he molted last April
8 two bigger crabs and he’s a really small crab
9About 20
10 no
11 every few months
12 yes, I boil the sponges
13 no
14 he buried himself for about a month and is very pale now


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Topic author
crabsinacoat
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Re: Is my hermit crab depressed?

Post by crabsinacoat » Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:53 pm

I forgot the housing one, they are kept in a very large tank, maybe around 40 gallons the lid has some ventilation


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curlysister
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Re: Is my hermit crab depressed?

Post by curlysister » Tue Apr 05, 2022 11:15 am

To clarify, you don't have a thermometer or hygrometer in the tank?
He has not molted for a year?
Do you give them any source of calcium?
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers


Topic author
crabsinacoat
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Re: Is my hermit crab depressed?

Post by crabsinacoat » Tue Apr 05, 2022 12:21 pm

I had one in an older tank but It got moldy so I haven’t put one in their new tank, their current tank is much more ventilated so I guess I need to get another one.
He molted last April but he did go underground for about a month last January-February he could have molted but it felt like such a short time.
They do get some calcium I give them plenty of nuts and green lettuce leaves


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curlysister
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Re: Is my hermit crab depressed?

Post by curlysister » Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:26 pm

Crabs don't get 'depressed' as in sad. But of course crabs can become weak and lethargic.
I would recommend a thermometer and hygrometer so you know whether your crab has proper conditions to be able to breathe properly.
Your crab may not have enough substrate to molt - is it at least three times as deep as your largest crab? Is it moistened to sand castle consistency? A large crab may only molt once a year, but if your crab is that large, your substrate won't be deep enough at 2-3 inches.
Do you dechlorinate your water? What brand of salt do you use for the water?
Sponges in water just harbor bacteria, you can put them in dry for the crabs to munch on.
Crabs need protein and calcium daily, as part of a varied diet. Calcium sources include egg shells, cuttle bone, exoskeleton.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers

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