Do I need to isolate my rescue crab?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:02 am

Hi! I'm taking a hermit crab from my friend, who doesn't want it anymore. I'm not sure how long she's had it, but I'm guessing more than a month. Do I need to isolate this crab? Thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:03 am

I guess it would depend on what conditions the crabby was kept in and whether it was alone. If its alone and kept in the same temp/humidity range as your main tank I wouldn't think it was necessary (unless, of course, it has mites crawling all over it or is otherwise visibly sick)Just my opinion -Beth

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:08 pm

I ISOed my adoptee for over a month last year. You generally have to assume (unless otherwise told) that these guys can come to you from less-than-perfect conditions (mine really did) and may do better to tank up on good food, calcium, and salt water (as well as fresh water, of course) before going into the main. Too, they may need the gradual increase in humidity as a new crab would and you won't be able to do that in the main tank.

saberkitty · Post by **saberkitty** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:48 pm

I agree with Nicole. I've adopted twice now, 2 crabs each time. Even if they came from excellant conditions, they've just been uprooted again coming to us and could use some down time. Although you might not have to go a whole 30 days. My first pair were iso'd for 2 weeks and are doing great in the main for about 2 months now. The new pair has been in iso for 2 weeks and will be there a while longer, they have "issues"!

saberkitty · Post by **saberkitty** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:59 am

If you have a way to seperate the 10 into 2, like with a plastic cutting board, it could go in with Ally just fine. I've had to do that. Just make sure they can't get over or under it.

PSUPrncess10 · Post by **PSUPrncess10** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:34 am

quote:Originally posted by Nicole:I ISOed my adoptee for over a month last year. You generally have to assume (unless otherwise told) that these guys can come to you from less-than-perfect conditions (mine really did) and may do better to tank up on good food, calcium, and salt water (as well as fresh water, of course) before going into the main. Too, they may need the gradual increase in humidity as a new crab would and you won't be able to do that in the main tank. I made 2 adoptions in the last month and ISOed both for the reasons Nicole outlined. The first 2 went in my 2.5 ISO and went right down and my next adoptions came with a 10 so they're in there... my basement looks like a petsmart with those tanks and my main haha