Strange Case of PPS

[DaTrininator]

I recently bought a hermit crab from a pet store and named him Shilo. He was a rescue crab and the tank had horrible conditions. So I put him in a tank and didn't disturb him. He buried for a week and distressed before coming up so I moved him into my 40 gallon with all the other crabs. He acted normal for a couple days then became extremely lethargic. I am pretty sure it is PPS, but he continues his normal eating and drinking habits. I read the PPS page and am feeding him crickets krill honey and cuttlebone but please help because I don't actually know if it is PPS. Just so you know he is a male pp with a painted shell.

[DaTrininator]

Also he is sometimes responsive to me walking near the tank but other times he is not.

[Matt]

Could be his personality, some pp's are very inactive during the day some aren't. Has he molted yet? If not just try to provide perfect conditions until he does. They can die or become sick suddenly until after their first molt. Just make sure he has a lot of room and many good shells to choose from.

[kornchaser]

Also he is sometimes responsive to me walking near the tank but other times he is not.

Mostly all my crabs are skittish when I walk by or skitter away when I reach in except when they are busy. If they're on the hunt for a great molting spot to dig a cave, they could care less if I walk by. Some are the same while eating, others aren't. Make sure he has HIS OWN hiding spot. Hermits 'call dibs' on certain places and can kick other crabs out. It wouldn't hurt to give him his own 'rights' to the place with simple gestures. Like moving other crabs away from him while he's digging, eating, chilling in HIS spot. As long as the excess attention isn't scaring him either with a possible onset of PPS.
Lethargic, slow response crabs highly benefit from high energy/fatty foods. Like peanut butter (alt; seeds or nuts that are crushed or powdered for ease of noming) or honey (alt; organic honey coated granola) or protein and calcium (alt; fresh/dried seafood, dried mealworms/crickets/grasshoppers, spirulina or powdered cuttle bone sprinkled on something yummy he may like.)! Hope this helps!
Also, could you post a pic of the new little one? It may help him for the more experienced crabbers to see him to help with suggestions.

[CallaLily]

If he's slowing down (like it sounds) it could be PPS (they're not in the clear until after they've successfully completed their first molt with you) or he may soon molt. Keep a close eye on him and if at any time he seems too weak to dig or defend himself, I would ISO. You can do this within the main tank in a clean food storage bowl with holes in the lid for ventilation or a clean 2-liter soda bottle with the bottom cut off and cap removed gently pushed down around him. I do not recommend handling him at all unless absolutely necessary. Like Kornchaser said, high energy foods, protein, and calcium may help. What you're feeding sounds good. I hope he pulls through. Good luck

[Matt]

I WOULD NOT ISO him. If he is still eating and drinking like you said then he needs to be able to do this. You could move him to a tank by him self and give him access to food and water but I would not put a 2 liter bottle or a bowl over him.

[CallaLily]

Let me be clearer, that was suggested IF he were too weak to dig down or defend himself. If he is still getting around and eating, I wouldn't ISO him either.

[DaTrininator]

I've been feeding them crickets,shrimp,honey and cuttlebone for a week and dug the start of a hole (to help him go under if he is too weak) and he went under I saw him up tonight in the food bowl and In The corner so I think he is gonna live