HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I need to refresh my substrate badly. We have had the house not he market and it's been crazy. Anytime I have a chance to change out the substrate to add back in moisture and depth at least one crab is down molting so I wait.

I found one crab harassing another shell-less crab yesterday. The crab w/out a shell had a cracked pincher and had thrown some limbs (I believe either way they are missing). I put him in a separate ISO with shells. He is back in but I am not sure when to reintroduce to the general population.

Not sure if he was chased up at the end of his molt but am concerned my substrate is getting to shallow and the humidity is really low.

Any advice would help. Thanks! Jana

Tank Details:
75 gallon tank. My crabs are between Medium and Large (towards the larger size) we normally have a mixture of sand/coco finger and soil mixed together to a sandcastle consistency. About 12-14" which is on the deeper side but works for us.

They have fresh drinking water and salt water bath. Access to crushed calcium, many shells, food from Hermit Crab Patch ( I think it is some sort of buggy mixture at the moment).

Hi! Please fill out these questions so we can help address areas of concern. I know you've touched on some points but these answers will give us some ideas of what is going on overall in your tat.

One thing to be aware of is that you should never have to change your substrate out in the tank. Beneficial bacteria and a little "ecoystem" forms which helps to break down waste. The only reasons you would ever change sub or for bacterial bloom, flooding, or parasitic mites.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102

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I probably should have stated more clearly. When I refresh I take the coconut fiber and poop that is dry at the surface scoop off a bit and then mix it all back with moist coconut fiber and add whatever moisture is still needed until it is moist enough and at 12-14".

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Soil/Sand/Coconut Fiber, 12-14" (usually at the moment it is more like 10")

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? My gauge is broken and needs to be replaced. Normally it is a bit above the soil where the crabs normally hang out.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? We have a bulb heater and a back of the tank heater. They are currently off. Temp in the house is 74-76 degrees

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)? Fresh and salt, dechloniator. Salt is added with API aquarium salt 1/8 tsp per 32 oz and dechlorinator is ReptiSafe (8 drops to 32 oz)

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? it is replaced daily or every other day. Fresh fruits and veggies, frozen brine shrimp, occasional fresh shrimp and random foods from Hermit Crab Patch. I can compile a list later if necessary.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? All 6 crabs are PP we have had them for 4-5 years.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Not sure there are six of them that are up and down and they are my sons. While I usually care for them as far as food/water/humidity etc I don't know them that well nor am I able to identify them as individuals.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 75 gallon, screen tops

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 6 golf ball to tennis ball

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 10-15 empty. Will be measuring tonight to make sure we have enough of the types they seem to like but they should all fit.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Usually just scrape the poop off the top and when needed add in Coconut fiber heavily moistened with salt water to avoid mold, the coconut fiber is mixed with the dryer sand/soil int he tank so it is a sand castle consistency.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? No

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

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.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
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HCADirectors

Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: The HCA

Keep him in ISO for a while if you can. It's more work, but it'll guarantee his safety. It could have been anything that caused the attack - molting, shell, etc. The crushed claw is a sign that another crab was out to do serious damage. If you can, waiting until he molts so he can repair his claw and grow back his limbs would be the best idea. He'll be pretty defenseless until then and whichever crab went after him may go back to finish the job. It's really hard to say for sure. If he has to go back in because of the move, give him at least three or four days (a week would be better) in case it's end-of-molting that caused the problem, and bathe him before he goes back in.

I do the same with my sub and it makes a difference. Trying to schedule it around molts is so hard though!

You should really keep your your heat mat on and your tank lid covered with something solid..just cause your house temp is a certain temp doesn't mean it's the same in your crab tank & it doesn't keep your humidity up which they need to breath. They also could be lacking in proteins. Try feeding organic peanut butter, baked chicken w out seasonings you know...

And I totally missed the salt the first time! The API isn't harmful, but it's not very beneficial. Natural sea water has over 70 elements and only the marine fish mixes like Instant Ocean replicate this. Freshwater salt is pretty much just one element - sodium chloride.

Knowing the humidity level is super important - too dry and it can cause physical damage to their gills.

Thanks all!

He is in ISO now.

The heat mats were turned off in summer when it would get pretty darn hot at times and the crabs were staying on the side of the tank away from the mats. When they were on it was 80’ish and when off it was about 76 in the tank. 76 was a little below but since they were avoiding it was off. Now that it is cooling down it will go back on and the heat lamp will go on if necessary.

I DO need covers. I have been able to remoisten their substrate well enough until now. Weather the molting taking longer or me not being as attentive (bad me) it has really dried too much.

I am pretty sure that one of the foods I feed them from Hermit Crab Patch is a protein combo but I will reverify and cook up some chicken. Is organic ground beef ok? Never thought of it but will have some tonight. Otherwise I can give them brine shrimp, shrimp or chicken.

I used to use Instant Ocean but Petsmart was out or quit selling it so I got the API. I will get some Instant Ocean again. Can’t stand the API anyway so it gives me a reason to toss it. I just saw the Hermit Crab Patch has some Instant Ocean as well. Wonder if it is the same thing

I am getting it all back up to par. Was trying to get the other guy settled then house went under contract and the new Fish I brought into a ISO tank got ICH. LOL I’m batting 1000. This house stuff fix throwing me off big time. These guys used to get all the pulp from our masticating juicer and we haven’t used it in months. I feel bad for them

Anyway since my son hasn’t been doing so great I put them up on the adoption site if an experienced crabber is available in my area. BUT either way I’m getting on it. Not sure what to do about the missing crabs though because I need some moisture in that substrate. I might be good enough underneath the surface.