New Hermit Crab is not moving at all?

Zooylew · Post by **Zooylew** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:21 am

Hello!I'm very new to this so if I'm posting to the wrong place please tell me! But lets get to the question....My sister got three PP hermit Crabs. So I know a bit about hermit crabs but my sister does not and really it was an impulse buy. She was complaining and complaining all because I got a new Ball Python and my Mum just couldn't take it anymore. Any way she ended up getting all three kind with painted shells. The two biggest are both very active and we have seen them both drink and eat. But the one we call little lady bug because thats whats on his shell hasn't come out what so ever. Not to drink or eat and I thought this was strange so I asked my sister if he had been moving around or if they had to dig around to find him. She said he wasn't moving but didn't have to dig around. I smelled him to see if he was dead but he didn't smell and isn't grey, or floppy. His colors are all bright and purply so I'm sure he's not dead but everything is all good with the other ones and the tank is all set. So could his shell be to small, or could he be sick? Oh and just to let you know I have been binge reading on how to care for them and everything so my sister has someone who can help her. But is he sick should I tell the pet store he came from so I can bring him to the vet?

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 7:58 am

Unfortunately vets wont treat hermitcrabs because they are considered insects and as such don't have any real treatments that can be offered.It sounds like the poor hermitcrab is just very stressed which is common with newly purchased crabs because they have to endure neglect and poor care for months on end getting to us that by the time they do they are sick and just need rest.This is why we have a mandatory four week iso period where the crabs are completely left alone all you do is just change out the food and water and keep the temp and humidity at 80 for both.Make sure to offer fresh fruits, shrimp, krill and some raw or organic honey during this time and if the crab has it in him he will pull through.

Zooylew · Post by **Zooylew** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:17 pm

Oh... I didn't know vets wouldn't treat them... thats to bad. When I'm older and if I decide to be a vet I'll make sure I study real hard to I can add Hermit crabs to my care list! Sadly When I was checking on them today because my sister was away to feed them, give them water, and fresh veggies with a bit of fruit and I noticed a weird smell. Turns out Little Lady Bug has in fact past away. Kaleigh is going to go back to the pet store tomorrow to talk to the manager. Thank You for the help!

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:30 pm

Your welcome and I'm sorry for your loss, if you need any more help will be here.

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:32 pm

Most places will refund you or give you a new hermit crab with in so many days if you have your receipt. When you get a crab look for active ones that want to one out at you when you pick them up, fighting one's! Your crab died from post purchase stress or p.p.s. make sure you have natural shells for them to change into, like turbo type. You don't want them in those painted shells they are toxic to them. The paint can chip off and thy eat it and will make them sick and over time can kill them

Zooylew · Post by **Zooylew** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 12:17 am

He was dead when we got him... Apparently when my sister got them she just missed the main care taker of them so she had a guy help her and the main person had written a note to the boss about little lady bug possibly being dead so don't sell him but to leave him alone just in case. Turns out she was right... so my sister is going to the pet later today to get one. I keep telling her about the shells and she just wont pay attention to what I'm saying. But we have some old shells we found over the years and I'm tempted to boil them to sterilize them then put them in their tank...