Brief background before all the questions:
I got Wash in February and he's been through one successful molt in a 10 gallon tank. I just recently (about a week ago) moved back home from the University for summer break and (4-5 days ago?) got a 30 gallon tank upgrade. When I put Wash in the new tank, he just stopped doing everything and, from what I could tell, got really sick. Like he just wouldn't move around or do anything like eat or drink outside of being mildly responsive to shadows and/or me reaching into the tank. After a couple days of this odd behavior, I thought there was something wrong with the new tank and promptly moved him back into the old 10 gallon, where nothing had changed since. He showed a little improvement, he drank from both water dishes and became more responsive and would walk around a little now and then. But he got worse, until tonight.
Ok, question time (for the new 30 gallon):
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I used a mix of Zoo Med Eco Earth and Quickrete Play Sand. Maybe EE 2:1 PS. Wash always scraped the sand off of himself so I figured I'd try a bit more EE this time.
Roughly 7 inches deep. Sand castle consistency, though he never dug in it.
When I was mixing the sub, it gave off a fragrant smell that was very similar to Copenhagen brand chew tobacco (I used to know someone who used it and the smell is
pretty recognizable). I didn't think anything of it at first.
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?
I have one electronic dual Thermometer/Hygrometer that I ordered online. I don't exactly remember the brand off-hand. Located about an inch above sub level. Temp
ranges from 78-85 depending on the day, Humidity moves between 80-95% but typically stays on the high end.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I use a Zoo Med Reptitherm UTH 20-30 gallon. I had a Moon Lite bulb too if needed for extra heat/viewing at night.
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 water were available in decently sized pools. Treated with Tetra BettaSafe Dechlorinator and shaken well. I used Instant Ocean Sea Salt for the salt
water, 1/2 cup per gallon of water as the instructions say.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I typically use a variety of food (supplied from HugsForHermits) as well as fresh fruit, broken chicken bones, raw shrimp when I can as well as other fresh seafoods.
Anything that I can get a hold of that's on that safe food list really. It gets changed every other day or when the food goes moldy. I've never had a negative response from
the little ones on food.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I've had Wash since February 7th. He's a Purple Pincher, medium sized I think (golf ball?).
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Wash finished a successful molt 7 weeks ago, it lasted 7 weeks too, coincidentally.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
The Crabitat is a 30 gallon glass aquarium. It has a glass lid with a plastic piece for a third of it that I cut slits into for air and humidity control. The 10 Gallon is
the same setup just smaller.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Wash was the only one put in the 30 gallon. His "brother" Waldo is still down for a 7 week molt (so far) in the 10 gallon. Wash is about golf ball sized and Waldo is a bit
smaller
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
There are lots of shells provided for them, of varying sizes. Around 2-3 good hand fulls. Wash had a couple favorites that he would change into every now and then.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not that I am aware of. I recently moved into a garage-turned-bedroom (about a week ago). Wash has been here before earlier in the year (spring break).
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I usually spot check daily messes like food bits and poop. I wipe out any mold that pops up where buried goods are and scoop out the sub there. If the glass gets too smudgy
I'll take a dry cloth and wipe down the glass. I haven't done any deep cleans at all, I haven't really had any reason to so far.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges, I hear they've got a bad rep.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
A large piece of Mopani wood that I boiled and soaked in salt water, some fake plants and a fake climbing vine (also boiled). Everything else was pulled straight form the 10
gallon
15. 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.)?
Wash's sudden lack of everything is/was extremely out of character for him, even when he's getting ready to molt. I strongly suspect the EE because of the funky smell, but
I've never heard/seen anything of bad EE mix so I really don't know.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Not really an emergency, I just want to know what caused my little guy's departure
