Naked Crab Behavior - any advice?

[Guest]

Yesterday I found one of my largest PPs NAKED sitting in the fresh water bowl. I just about had a heart attack. I quickly review the crab care FAQ and sprang into action. Superman (the crab in question) dumped his shell and I had no idea which one it was so I iso'ed him with several shells and tried the cup trick. He seemed very active but it was probably protest activity - picking him up without hurting the tummy or getting pinched was a challenge. Then I left for work.

Unfortunatley Superman didn't make it. I found him where I'd left him still naked and stiff.

I hadn't seen him for 4 weeks and thought he was molting but when I saw him yesterday he didn't look any different so I don't think he did molt. He was one of the first 3 we ever brought home (back in July). We lost one within 3 weeks (PPS) and the other has succesfully molted and is doing great. I'm not sure what went wrong. Any advice?

[Hermit_of_Hermit_Crabs]

Please fill out this template so we can better help you.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

7. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

8. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

9. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

10. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

11. How often do you clean the tank and how?

12. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

13. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

14. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?

[Guest]

Please fill out this template so we can better help you.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
4-6 inches combo of sand and EE

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? Gauges are near middle and read 80-85 degrees temp and 80-85% humidity

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? UTH

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? both fresh and salt, both declorinates, salt is made with instant ocean

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? quality crab food from Crabbage Patch along with fresh fruits/veggies - changed every two days

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 4 PPs and 2 Straws since July of 07

7. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? home is a 75 gallon tank with plexi lids and humidifiers

8. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 6 - 1 large, 2 meds, 3 small and 1 tiny

9. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? LOTS in all sizes - I'm a shell snob

10. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? no

11. How often do you clean the tank and how? I wipe down the glass with declorinated water when needed. No deep clean since the tank came together in August.

12. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? Sponge for each dish - changed monthly

13. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No

14. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)? Don't bathe them and don't handle the crabs

[Hermit_of_Hermit_Crabs]

My first thought of why your crab went naked is the temperature. 80-85 degrees is definitely on the high side. Since you have Straws and PPs I would shoot for you 77-79 degrees at night and 78-84 during the day.

[Guest]

I agree the temp is a little too high.

I did read something else that made my eyes bug a bit. You need to change your sponges far more frequently than that. They are breeding grounds for all kinds of bacteria. General practice from what I gather from those with sponges is to sterilize them every few days. I personally don't use them. I'm a bit of a nervous Mommy when it comes to stuff like that.

[Guest]

Thank you for the advice - since I have the humidifiers in place, I was thinking of dumping the sponges anyway.

On the temp - the weather outside is cooling off the house at night for me so I'll stop worrying about it. I guess we'll just chalk this passing up to "dunno" and move forward. Superman and Spidercrab hung together a lot - I need to get Spidercrab a new buddy.

[Guest]

Oh my god... You named him Spidercrab? I LOVE it! lol

[Guest]

learn something every day, i didnt know about sponges being dirty. how do you clean them or how often do you have to replace them

[Guest]

I personally don't have them but I think the general practice is to boil dechlor water and then drop them in and leave them in for a few minutes. I also believe that this is usually done every 3 days. Once again, I don't have them, so if anyone else has any other suggestions, that would be helpful.

[Hermit_of_Hermit_Crabs]

If you feel you must use sponges the best way is to soak them in spring or salt water. Then let them air dry until completely dry. Then you pop them in the microwave for 1 minute and they are clean. However, I would advise against sponges. A bubbler is a much more efficient means of maintaining proper humidity and it also cheaper in the long run.