When to take my crab out of isolation

Boofenheimer · Post by **Boofenheimer** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 6:44 am

Hi all. I'm a brand new crab owner (3 months) and one of my crabs molted on the surface. I moved him to an isolation tank two weeks ago, and it's been tense, since I don't know what I'm doing. His old exoskeleton is laying around in pieces, and he doesn't seem interested in it any longer. I've caught him with his little legs hanging over the water dish, and yesterday he was completely out of his shell, abdomen and all, in the food dish. He saw me and jumped back in his shell. However, he no longer squeezes up tight in his shell for protection, and no longer has a big claw. He curls up loosely with his legs dangling a little and it seems like he would be easy to drag out of his shell if the other crabs were so inclined. How do I know when his new exoskeleton has hardened, when he's able to protect himself in the main tank, and why in the world is he climbing completely out of the shell to get into the food dish? Thanks!

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 8:18 am

Hermitcrabs streak for a few specific reasons, ill fitting shell, abdominal irritation from a wound or something in the shell, off climate conditions in the enclosure and the hermitcrab just being too weak to carry the shell.Because of the series of events you have described it definitely looks like the crab is just too weak to carry its shell for very long at a time.You need to keep the ism tank dimly lit and the temp and humidity need to be kept at 80 to reduce any possible stress on the crab at this time.I would recommend offering some raw or organic honey in a bottle cap twice a week for the next two weeks and some mushed bananas these two foods are high energy east to digest super foods the honey also contains a natural anti-bacterial/ anti-microbial agent that the hermitcrab can use to help heal from any possible infections.The fact that the crab surfaced molted suggests that something was or is off with your tank conditions it would help me a great deal if you could copy and post the questionnaire found here so that I can get a better picture of what caused the crab to surface molt in the first place.

Boofenheimer · Post by **Boofenheimer** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 8:42 am

Thanks Crabber85. He surface-molted because I'm an idiot. He buried himself as soon as I bought him, and wouldn't come out to play, so I kept digging him up. I left him with no alternative but to molt on the surface, before I finally figured out I was making a mess of his molting efforts. I'll go get him some honey and bananas, thanks for the info. Anything other tips are appreciated. 1) How long have you had your crabs and how long have you been caring for this particular crab in distress?*3 months, with 2 other tank-mates.2) What size is your tank and what kind of lid do you have? * 10-gallon, standard aquarium lid w/fluorescent light.3) What are you using for heat? Please be specific and include fixture type, watt or mat size and where the heat source is mounted.*undertank heater mounted on one side (not sure of the wattage)4) What kind of substrate do you use in your tank and at what depth? Is it dry or damp and sand castle consistency?*moist mixture of coconut fiber and sand, yes sandcastle, about 3 inches deep5) Do you dechlorinate your fresh water and if so, with what product? Do you offer aquarium salt water in addition to fresh water? Again, what product?*I offer dechlorinated fresh water, and dechlorinated salt water. Unsure of product names (I'm at work)6) What do you normally feed your crabs?*pellet food, plus fresh stuff (mango, apples, bananas, corn meal, shrimp, peanut butter)7) Do you bathe, mist or handle your crabs at all?*I don't bathe or mist, I figure they know when they need some water. I handle them almost daily if they're out and about and don't mind, but not if they're closed up or buried. I've learned that much.

What are the temperature and humidity readings? Please be specific and include high low fluctuations if you're aware of them.*temp between 75-80, humidity about 70-80.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:52 am

Your welcome for the help its what I'm here for.Thanks for copying and answering the questionnaire.From what I see there really isn't much wrong with your set up though the substrate needs to be a minimum of six inches deep, the commercial hermitcrab food needs to be checked for Ethoxyquin, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, BHA and BHT all of these are used as preservatives but are extremely toxic to hermitcrabs as they are actually pesticides which can not discriminate between the insects they are meant to kill and the crabs they are being fed to so if any are present in your hermitcrab food then it will need to be tossed asap, the peanut butter needs to be organic as the regular variety contains a lot of things like table salt that are harmful to the crabs when ingested on a regular basis other than that I don't see anything wrong.As I said before the only thing you can do for your crab is to leave it alone and just wait it out, it has a good chance of pulling through but you've have to minimize any undue or unnecessary stress on it to give it the best chances at recovery.I would just leave it in iso for the next three to four weeks at minimum as it may decide to burrow back down again which is not at all uncommon for hermitcrabs who have sustained exo damage or limb loss from an interrupted molt, they usually try to molt again and begin the repair process as quickly as possible.

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 8:10 am

On sticky foods such as honey give a tiny (like a drop) amount at a time since your crab is weak and missing the big pincher. if too much is given it could become stuck in the honey, peanut butter, ect... But like crabber said these are very good things to give to help strengthen him just keep an eye on it so it doesn't become stuck. Make sure since it doesn't seem to want to finish the exo you provide other forms of calcium as well. Shrimp tails are good also egg shells and mine like it when I get a cuttle bone and use a shredder to make it more like a powder its easier for them to eat that way.

Boofenheimer · Post by **Boofenheimer** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:11 am

Update: So, my crab was previously leaving his shell at night to eat, then climbing back in. He no longer climbs back in. He's been streaking for a week. I've been giving him the recommended bananas and honey twice a week (see conversation history). He's extremely active - eating, bathing, digging, but he's doing it all without a shell. There have been no changes in temperature or humidity, still holding at 70-80. His original shell is in the tank, along with 6 others that are slightly larger, of various shapes. I'm not comfortable with him running around unprotected like this. Any ideas?

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:30 am

@Boofenheimer, hermitcrabs only streak for a couple different reasons, irritant in the shell such as a sharp/broken edge on the whirl, the crab is overheated, infection or injury on the soft abdomen which results in swelling or inflammation and the crab is just too weak to carry the shell.The last reason is the most common because it normally results from a disturbed molt where the crab sustains significant bodily injury.If its too weak to carry a shell it will opt to go without one in order to preserve some of its strength and energy.The only other thing you can try is putting a few drops of their salt water into each shell this can entice a reluctant crab to try on shells and keep them on. Please continue to update us on the crabs condition.

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 7:04 am

Are all the shell the same variety just different sizes? If so try to get some different shells. Though usually they will opt for a not so perfect shell over no shell at all. Have you checked the crab's abdomen while it's streaking to see if it has any injuries red/swollen areas?Also when you put your hand in the tank does it feel warm (not hot) and moist? If not your temp and or humidity gauges may be off and giving you a false reading.

Boofenheimer · Post by **Boofenheimer** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 7:20 am

The shells are two different sizes, larger than his current shell. Three are the same shape as the one he vacated, the other three are a different shape. I have not looked at his abdomen. He keeps it curled up when I'm working in the tank (changing water, food, checking temp and humidity). I'll give it a try though. From the feel of the tank, it is quite humid and warm, not hot.

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:24 am

Its been a few days, has anything changed?

Boofenheimer · Post by **Boofenheimer** » Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:56 am

Nope. He is still active, but naked. Plenty of shells to choose from, put a little salt water in each to entice him. He's developed a favorite spot in the tank, behind a piece of driftwood at the base of a plant, and stays there during the day.

Boofenheimer · Post by **Boofenheimer** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 12:56 am

Update: He buried himself in the sand last night in his favorite spot. Hopeful for another molt...