Not moving...not responding to my touch...

[Latoshia]

Ok so abt 3 days ago i noticed one of the bush/trees in the tank had slowly been loosened out of the substrate. So when i changed their waters etc i decided to try and reset it in the substrate. I was unsure of where 2 of my crabs were and unfortunately one was barely under the substrate where i went to replant. I accidently dug him up (the tip of his shell was sticking out but i didnt see it until it was too late) Once it was too late i put him out of the way and replanted. He didnt do a lot of moving but moved nonetheless and ultimately went to the opposite sode of the tank. A couple days have passed and hes never redug and he hasnt had a lot of activity. Last night he was on the side but still nonchalantly moving here and there. This kornong he was in the same place just a cpl inches away. Tonight i noticed he hadnt moved. Although hes adjusted or something because his legs will be in a diff position etc. I just changed the food. I picked him up slightly and no movement. So i lifted him and still nothing. I can touch his legs and move them slightly ad there's no response. The legs just lay where i moved them to. Hes still in his shell decently tightly. But hes not moving or giving any response to me...is he dead?

[Latoshia]

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[Hermiearth]

You will smell it if he is dead- you need to put a soda bottle cut in half over him with the cap off for air exchange to keep the other crabs from getting to him.


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[GotButterflies]

How long have you had the crab? It could have either been destressing or getting ready to molt. Whenever situations like this occur, the worst thing you could do is handle them. Perhaps he/she is going to pull a surface molt. Do the soda bottle like Hermiearth mentioned. Then leave alone.


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[Latoshia]

Guys i dont know whats going on. Another one is unresponsive as well. Shes not responding to anything, just like big claw
2 in less than 24hrs....

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[daws409]

Oh no! I suggest filling out the emergency template so we can see your tanks conditions. Link: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102

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[Latoshia]

Oh no! I suggest filling out the emergency template so we can see your tanks conditions. Link: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102

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Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions by coping and pasting this list into a New Topic. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. Thanks!

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Sand and eco earth, a good 6inches

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? Yes 2 guages on both sides, humidity is always over 90% i recently changed my heating source to an uth the one from reptilebasics and my heat hovers at 80 with it.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? I have both, i use instant ocean and tetrasafe for the declorinator

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Fresh fruit and veggies, shrimp, coconut etc

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? I believe a pp, i got them at the same time, i believe over a month now

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? No ive never experienced a crab molt

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 20gal. Glass lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 4,small prpbably a quarter

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? Many, probably 15 or more

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I spot clean
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No, i clean them out and dry with paper towel
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
I changed the heating source
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

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[Hermiearth]

Oh no! I suggest filling out the emergency template so we can see your tanks conditions. Link: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102

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1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Sand and eco earth, a good 6inches

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? Yes 2 guages on both sides, humidity is always over 90% i recently changed my heating source to an uth the one from reptilebasics and my heat hovers at 80 with it.

H: I would cali rate your hydros. Just to be safe.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? I have both, i use instant ocean and tetrasafe for the declorinator

H: I think tetra safe is ok, maybe another crabber will chime in.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Fresh fruit and veggies, shrimp, coconut etc

H: Sounds like you definitely need more calcium. Make sure to provide cuttlebone, many crabbers just stick it in the sub like a surf board and the crabs will much on it. You can also provide crushed oyster shell. You should also give more protein like dried insects, bloodworms, meat, etc.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? I believe a pp, i got them at the same time, i believe over a month now

H: So I think it's possible that your losses could be from PPS (post purchase syndrome) which occurs after the crab is shipped from its home to the pet store and just can't handle the stress. Although typically crabs start dropping limbs pre death with PPS.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? No ive never experienced a crab molt

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 20gal. Glass lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 4,small prpbably a quarter

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? Many, probably 15 or more

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I spot clean

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No, i clean them out and dry with paper towel

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
I changed the heating source

H: So you are sure that the tank is only at 80? A very high temp could explain what's going on- try moving the therm closet to the heat source. Also you didn't mention- is the UTH on the side of the tank above the sub? This is how it should be done and with it on the bottom it won't heat the air and can often cook digging crabs.

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

H: So I don't have a definitive answer to what's going on LMK about where the UTH is placed and also did you clean out the tank after purchasing and if so what did you use?

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[Hermiearth]

I replied with H


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[KayedeeLove<3]

Did your babies make it?

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[Latoshia]

They havent moved. Nothing smells strange so i just dont know what im supposed to do right now.

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[Latoshia]

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[Hermiearth]

Strange- It looks a little unnatural to me that they are hanging out of there shells like that. But definitely wait for the smell...


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[Latoshia]

Strange- It looks a little unnatural to me that they are hanging out of there shells like that. But definitely wait for the smell...


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Would they probably not be doing that of they were molting? Big claw(the one who first went under) is in his shell. But charlotte (the one that went down 2nd and extremely randomly) is still out of her shell and thats how i found her. I just dont understand why 2 of them, at the same time. I have done everything to give them everything they need.

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[Latoshia]

I thibk its important to add charlotte almost never retreated into her shell. She had never gone under ground either

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