Crazy Crabbie??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:53 am

I got my crab from a pet store by the ocean back in June with another crab. The first died very shortly after I got him which I just attributed to the shock of living in the aweful pet store and then being moved to a new place. My current crab is a growing small and has been all over the place lately. I came home yesterday after work and while I was changing his food and water, noticed a little naked crab staring at me. I was shocked. Since this is my first crab I have no idea what to do. I would like to take him out and try the cup method but I'm afraid that I might hurt him. The shell he's been in is a small and the other shells I have are all mediums. I've noticed that he has been in the water a lot; I have to refill it at least 4 times a day. Also, I have never seen the little guy molt. He buries himself but only during the day and he's back out, running around again at night. I feel bad, he always looks like he wants to get out. I currently have him in a 10 gallon tank with LOTS of toys. Any suggestions about what should I do with the lil maniac?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:31 pm

1. Substrate used? Coconut Fiber

2. Humidity % level in crabitat? 60%

3. Temperature of substrate in crabitat? Unknown

4. Temperature of crabitat? 75

5. Location of gauges? Inside crabitat halfway between bedding and lid

6. What is your heat source? room temperature stays at 75

7. Types of water available? I use tap/bottled water with a dechlorinator
occasionally put an instant ocean bath in tank as well

8. Dechlorinator used? yes

9. What do you feed? Hermit crab food from the pet store and occasionally he gets cooked meats and some veggies

10. How long have you had the crab in question? 6 months to the day

11. Do you know the species? C. Rug

12. Do you bath them, if so how often and with what? Usually (but not lately) once every one to two weeks and I use dechlorinated tap water

13. What type of housing are they in? Tank? Plastic box? Tank

14. What size is your tank? 10 gallons

15. How many crabs are in the tank? What size are they? Just him

16. How deep is the substrate? about 5 inches

17. If you take your hermies out daily to exercise, do you mist their gill area first? He does not come out daily

18. Has there been any cleaners, paints, perfumes, air fresheners, candles, or smoking near the crabitat? No, his tank is isolated

19. How often do you clean/sterilize and how? Once a month. I remove all toys and substrate and disinfect with essential oils and vinegar and boil all toys

20. Any unusual odors? No

21. Do you use sponges? Are they rinsed daily with dechlor water? Are they exchanged every 2 days for a sterile one? I don't use sponges anymore

22. Do you feed fresh food? When do you remove it? Yes and it is removed and replaced once a day

23. Are your hands clean before handling? always

24. Has there been anything new added to your crabitat recently? No, nothing new

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:54 pm

Well there are a couple of things that might do it. You seem to be doing well, but you probably want to get your humidity up higher. You can spray it, or make a humidifier. It should be between70-80% at all times. Also, your temp could be alittle higher. If you can't, it is ok. But that may make them a little more active. BUT 75 is pretty good. Although my crabs tend to be much more active around 80*. And lastly, you r hermie needs a friend. This is a huge reason! My hermie Wally was alone for 2 months and did nothing. But I got 2 new guys, and he is much more active now. You have room, I have 4 PP's, 2 small, 2 tiny all in a ten gallon. They are fine. So work on those things, and you will definately see a change in the activity level!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:55 pm

Thanks for the feedback guys! I'm gana work on getting the lil guy back into his shell and then I'll be sure to get him some new friends

blaze88 · Post by **blaze88** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 3:50 pm

You should also not use comercial food as the main food. I have my own all natural food that you can order from me. Just PM me. Or you can just use freash meat, vegtables and fruits. The preservatives in commercial foods build up in crabs' bodies and eventually kill them. A little bit won't hurt but over a lifetime comercial food is very bad.

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 6:07 pm

although there are areas for improvement in your crabitat, know that ruggies are notorious for streaking. i know you may feel like you're hurting him by picking him up to use the cup method, but it is important that he reshells himself. you can use a big spoon if you like, or grab him by his claws/legs (not the soft abdomen).

Caroline

troppo · Post by **troppo** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 6:35 pm

Hi Kmanazir

,

With bathing,it's not really necessary. As long as your crab has access to 2 dishes in the tank,one with fresh dehlor water,the other with salt water,then your crab will bathe himself when needed,and it's fun to watch.
I'm worried about the use of essential oils in tanks,it may leave residues that can be harmful/fatal to hermit crabs.
Also,am just curious,what kind of toys do you have in the tank?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:47 pm

Okay, so after thoroughly stressing out all day, I came home from work and began searching for my naked crab in the FB. I looked for about 15 minutes, gently moving all the substrate around and out pops my little crab from a new shell. He did it all on his own, just took a day.

Thank you all for your support and help. I gave him some new sand and added a new "rock" with instant ocean water in it. He is currently exploring his new area and seems to be enjoying himself. He also comes all the way out of his shell now when I pick him up.

I will definitely work on getting a few more crabs to keep him company. Thanks again for all the support. I can't believe how big he's getting!

Willow · Post by **Willow** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:51 pm

Since he's a Ruggie, you should have the salt water in the crabitat at all times. Only PPs can get away with not having salt water all the time.

blaze88 · Post by **blaze88** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:59 pm

Really? Oh I thought all crabs could get away with a break from salt water. Thats intresting. Well there is always more to learn about crabbies.

Really though I would go on a shell shopping spree.

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:37 am

[quote="blaze88"]Really? Oh I thought all crabs could get away with a break from salt water. Thats intresting. Well there is always more to learn about crabbies. quote]

I would actually say that all crabs, even PPs, need access to a marine salt water 24/7. I know that I never see my 5 or 6 PPs drink from the fresh water, they prefer the salt water hands down. if you were to deprive a couple species of crabs salt water, PPs would fare the best i think, but in my opinion you should always have both waters in your tank.

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:43 am

and btw, about the comment "I can't believe how big he's getting"

Hermit crabs actually don't grow constantly over time, only while molting.

blaze88 · Post by **blaze88** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:41 pm

Well about salt and PPs the thing is PPs live in woooded areas, not by the ocean. They only go to the ocean every breeding season. (I have no idea how often that is.) That is however when they get their salt water supplies.

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:46 pm

blaze88 wrote:Well about salt and PPs the thing is PPs live in woooded areas, not by the ocean. They only go to the ocean every breeding season. (I have no idea how often that is.) That is however when they get their salt water supplies.

actually, i was under the impression that PPs were found in florida's mangrove swamps...

Caroline

blaze88 · Post by **blaze88** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 2:53 pm

well they are probably there too.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Crazy Crabbie??

Crazy Crabbie??

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