HCA: Hermit Crab Association

When I picked up one of my crabs just now I noticed that He was missing part of one leg! I know this isn't usually a big deal, especially if it's not one of their pinchers, which it wasn't. But now I'm concerned because I've had my crabs for around 2 years and I've never had any of them just drop half a leg. Also, I noticed that all of his leg tips look white and brittle. What does this mean? Please tell me it's a molting sign and not some sort of disease! He's the only crab that shows these symptoms. He's not lethargic in any way though...all of my crabs have been moving around as usual, and this one has been digging a little. Any comments on what this is?

I don't believe they can drop half a limb so it's more likely that it was broken while digging or climbing. Brittle exo would be caused by a deficiency in calcium, cellulose or chitin, something in that area. What kind of diet is he getting?

I think you need to offer more calcium sources. I have a dish in my tank full of Calci-Sand, cuttlebone pieces, and crushed oyster shells. Clean eggshells would be good too. You might want to try having a set-up like that where the crabs can choose what kind of calcium source they like. Baby shrimp and krill are good for them but it's more beneficial to have a variety for them. Also check out http://www.epicurean-hermit.com for a list of even more foods that you can give your crabs. I try to offer commerical food only once or twice a week now. I purchased a crab, Sunshine, with brittle legs that broke off at the joint on two of her limbs. She needed two molts to fix the problem but she's fine now.

Krill especially is a really good source for chitin, but a calcium bowl would help, I agree. My crabbies go nuts for the crushed oyster shell (I also throw in extra crushed exo peices, sand dollars and broken cuttle bone in there too) and offer a bowl at all times. I think it's really helped with healthy molts, too. I have fewer casualties.

Okay, thanks for the tips. I will try to keep a calcium bowl for them...I never had before because a) I tried calcium sand once and it molded like crazy and b) I thought that there was enough calcium in the crab island brand food. But I will try now. Do you get crushed oyster shells in the pet store? Is there a brand that is preferred? Oh, I just remembered, I think I do have some cuttlebone that I bought a long time ago and didn't use so I'll put that in there too.

You can just get some crushed oyster shells like what they sell for birds. I like getting mine from www.petdiscounters.com , but you certainly don't have to. Oh! And since you're a little further to the west than I am (in upstate, NY) then you might also try www.petguys.com I imagine the shipping would be very reasonable for you, and their prices are really very good.

If you mix the Calci-Sand in a deep-sided dish with the oyster shells, etc. and keep it dry, it shouldn't mold. I've been getting my oyster shells from www.thehermitcrabpatch.com but the other stores are great too.