HCA: Hermit Crab Association

We were doing a clean today (because we have an internal review at our school this week) and my student assistant pulled a rock out and collapsed a Molters tunnel. I initially thought the Crab was dead, but I saw some movement in the legs and antennae. Since all of our crabs are up, we didn't want a currently molting crab there for grabs, so we put him in an ISO tank.

I bought this tank for $3 from a consignment sale a few weekends ago so I don't have a lid or UTH right now. I do have salt/fresh waters, organic peanut butter/honey, their dry food mix (chia, crushed cuttlebone, eggshells, crushed seaweed, freeze dried mealworms, crickets, and shrimp, quinoa, rice, amaranth, millet, and chickpeas). I have it covered with press-n-seal and a light that emits a good amount of heat hanging overhead. I'm using an old thermometer (near the sub, tsk tsk I know) to see the general temperature of the tank. I also put in an old hygrometer, but it's so far off, it's basically useless.

It's not really an "emergency" since I know what steps to take, I've done this before, and it wasn't caused by tank conditions gone awry, but is there anything else I should do?








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I would suggest a proper bulb, like one in the blue or red spectra so you don't disturb your crab as much. And off needed, proper humidity gauge

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aussieJJDude wrote:I would suggest a proper bulb, like one in the blue or red spectra so you don't disturb your crab as much. And off needed, proper humidity gauge

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I was planning on using a night glow bulb and just use the light from the classroom to illuminate the tank a bit, but those things get HOT! I'd hate for a student to accidentally touch it...

I've got a new hygrometer coming, but it'll take a few days to get here. I know that the analog gauge I have reads right around 15% low. (It was reading around 63% when I left and was rising, so my guess is that it's right around 80%; not perfect but getting there.)


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Is it possible to switch them out once the day is finished... or even just get a small tote and keep it in the main tank?

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Well. He didn't make it. Came in this morning and I could already smell the stink. He was my first Crab in 2015. Sad today.


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Sorry for your loss!

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That is a bummer. Sorry to hear it. I'm sure your students are really bummed too.

So sorry!

Sorry for your loss. I'm sure he had a wonderful life in your care.