HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Ok, my crabs I have just gotten have scaly white things on its eyestalks. One of them has had them spread to the front of his eyes. I am sure he can hardly see. I was wondering......For cats and dogs, you can put olive oil on a Q-tip and swipe the ear to kill them mites. I think it sufficates them. Does anyone on here think that might work on these parasites on the eyes without harming them. Olive oil is pretty mild.

I wouldnt use olive oil, i don't think crabs come in contact with it in the wild. I'd try the cutip but use dechlorinated water. I would't risk it, since crabs are more sesitive than humans, cats or dogs. You never know what reaction might ocuur. Also if they had oil on their eyes i think they would try to wash it off. This wouldn't allow the oil to "suffocate" the parasites. Kyle

Interesting...there is a post somewhere on hermitcrabsrus about this very thing, and I don't think anyone has found a solution yet. Someone was waiting for a molt to see if they cleared up afterwards. They had some very clear pics of the scales, too. Maybe check there as well if you haven't yet? I haven't seen an update but you never know. Sounds like some type of parasite, but I don't know if they pose any danger, especially if your hermies can still find food and water and the like.

I have seen some pics of ruggies on here with the scaly eyestalks. From what I remember, it didn't really affect them behavior-wise. I wouldn't try to remove the scales. Several people on this forum had hermies like this. I don't believe that parasites were involved.

I have had a few Ruggie's that have had this on their eye stalks and I think it's just barnicle, nothing to worry about. It comes off by it's self.Sandra

The ruggies came to us like this, she says that it JUST appeared and began spreading.Are you sure its not a premolt fog on the eyes?

I have found a lot of people that say that their Ruggies have this same problem. No it is not fog, it is crusty. I have heard from others that when thier hermies molted, it was gone. None of mine have molted, so I will just have to wait and see.

I made a post a few days ago about this stuff. when I brought home 3 E's they all had that white stuff on the inside of there eye stalks. I really think its just barnacle.. and will come off when they molt.