HCA: Hermit Crab Association

This is a strange and interesting story of survival. It is hard to follow but I will do my best.
On March 31st a friend and I were in my hobby room early doing scrapbooking. I had not checked my crabitats yet for that am. As we were talking i noticed one of my tank lids was open about 3 inches. In a panic I looked everywhere to see if a crab had gotten out. This tank is the only one whose lid I can't lock and I guess the weight on top had not been heavy enough. I could not find a crab out of the tank anywhere so I quit worrying. I couldn't count them because some were down molting, etc. Anyway not finding one I quit worrying.

Last night I accidentally uncovered Captain Kirk, my largest E. He was in the same tank . mentioned above. He looked great and was as friendly as ever. His color was very good. He had the hairy legs and dark black nails so I knew he had just molted recently. He wasn't very deep but he was sitting on a lot of exo. I decided to put him in my ISO tank which I always keep heated and ready. (Just not quite as hot)

Today, April 18th, I was at the computer which is beside the tank mentioned above on a big long table. Two boxes of stamping and scrapping supplies are under the table beside me but where the tank sits. I kept hearing a strange noise in the box. I thought it was my dog but finally got up to check and saw her asleep behind me.

You guessed it, there was a crab in the box!!! The only time the lid has ever been ajar was on the 31st of March. The crab seemed okay amazingly enough. Without thinking about the difference in humidity I quickly put him in with Captain Kirk. My hobby room stays about 76 degrees and about 60-70% humidity. ( I live in Florida and this is like a Florida room, one we don't air condition much) The tanks of course are always set differently for the crabs. Anyway, I put the rescued crab in with Captain Kirk. He was munching exo and stopped for a minute and then went back to munching. The newcomer who I have named Lucky drank lots of water and then Captain Kirk PUSHED SOME EXO AT HIM!!! I thought he was starting a fight with Lucky but he was SHARING!!! Lucky ate some then went to hide. Captain K is resting and there is still exo left. It is too much for one crab so I know he stole some of it.
Okay, how was that for a wild story??? I just hope Lucky makes it.

That is awesome. I'm hoping my lil guys molt soon so that i know i am doing things right. Good Vibes Heading your way

awwww this is a great story

Wow...almost 20 days with pretty much no food or water? That's incredible. I'm so glad you found him before any more time went by. My lid has some holes that I have to remember to keep covered, and I'm always PARANOID that I'll forget one night, and I won't know that any got out until it's too late!

Lucky is still doing pretty good I think. He and Captain K have eaten a lot of exo today and both are hiding under some greenery I put in my ISO. I also added some fresh soft cut up pears rolled in Gardners hermit crab food and crushed cuttlebone.And of coarse changed the water. I peeped under the greenery and they are huddled together. It is amost like the bigger one is helping the little guy to recover. Tonight I put four heavy things on the Iso and the tank that doesn't lock. I have heard that they will climb up the silicone corners and that is what he had to have done.

Lucky, indeed! That's sweet that the other one was sharing his exo.

Do most people use tank clips to hold their lids on? I have a screen lid that hinges in the middle. Do you think they can lift it?

Awesome story! So glad he's OK!

What a wonderful story of survival and friendship =) Maybe they shall remain good buddies after ISO =)

I am going today or tomorrow to get a tank lid that locks. The kind I use has three screw like things in the front and an insert on the side where you can clip a light. I tried the tank clips but it kept tearing little holes in the screen. Today Lucky is looking out the front of the tank at me while I type. I hope they stay friends too. My ISO tank is 10 gallons so I may leave them in it a little longer. I will write down the brand of the lid when I get a new one.

hermitmommy wrote:Do most people use tank clips to hold their lids on? I have a screen lid that hinges in the middle. Do you think they can lift it?

Awesome story! So glad he's OK!

Yes i have heard of crabs getting out of tanks with those kind of lids. you could set a book or something on it so they couldn't lift it.

Sounds like Lucky's name is very appropriate. The fact that your hobby room is fairly close to their desired temp and humidity was certainly a big plus.