Bad smell from alive crab?

[HermitCrabAddicted]

Just a bit ago I went to change the food out of my tank, and I smelled that bad smell when there is usually a dead hermit crab. I smelled it right at the moss pit, so I checked around it and under it, but I didnt find a dead crab. I then searched the moss pit, and found a alive crab. He backed up into his shell and all, but I thought I would smell him, and he smelled just like a dead hermit crab. I searched around in the moss and smelled that, and there was no smell to it(thinking maybe it was coming from the moss) This crab is clearly alive, backing up into his shell and coming out some, but he smells exactly like a dead hermit crab.

Would anyone know why he does? I recently did have a couple hermit crabs pass away sadly, but the shells they were in I cleaned and washed, so I know it wouldn't be that if he changed into one of those shells. Just kinda confused why he would smell like that lol. Thanks.

[aussieJJDude]

Needs a good soak in Sw, obviously hasnt been bathing and stay hygienic?

Did you happen to feed fish, the smell might be due to his claws having 'leftovers' and they starting to smell bad....

[HermitCrabAddicted]

Ok, I'll soak him in some sw and see how that does.

I gave some krill last night, but was dried, and doesn't smell at all what he smells like.

[aussieJJDude]

Or a freshwatrr soak, either couldnt hurt. Meant it more as a joke, but forgot to actually mention it was a joke. my bad...
In saying that, does he smell musty? could be he is overheated, overheated crabs tend to go musty and discharge brown liquids... Whats your temp/humidity? I pretty certain that all your other tank conditions are on point, so Im more curious about temp and humidity....


did you happen to feed fish in the last couple of nights?

[HermitCrabAddicted]

haha thats ok

The smell is more fishy, exactly like the smell when there is a dead hermit crab. But the temp usually stays around low to mid 80s, and humidity around 80%

[GotButterflies]

I personally don't recommend bathing. That can be very stressful to the crabs. How many crabs do you have? Is it possible you have a crab molting? A lot of people talk about how bad that stinks.

Moss can smell earthy. Food sometimes can get stowed away and buried and stink to high heavens. My crabs are notorious for that!

I would try not to worry if all tank specs are appropriate. We would be more than happy to check those out for you!

Just go to the forums and it's under the emergency template.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HermitCrabAddicted]

I didn't end up bathing him

I have 11 hermit crabs. I'm not sure if any are molting right now, I do have a few that are buried.

I'm not sure where the smell is coming from, I definitely smell it on that one crab, and smelled a little bit of it when I go near the tank and in some spots of the tank. I looked around for any food lying around, didn't see any. I ordered some foods from a shop on etsy, some of them have been a little fishy smelling, not sure if its just that lingering around or something else.

[GotButterflies]

I had to chuckle reading your post. The thought came across my mind to go pick up one of my crabs to smell it, but then I thought heck no, I don't want those claws near my face! Lol- you are brave! I don't handle my crabs, but when I've had to move one, they are very sure of themselves and have no problem showing me that!

I think maybe aussieJJDude is right about maybe the food is still on his pincher, or maybe it's food he's digesting...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HermitCrabAddicted]

It made me chuckle to while writing it haha. I try not to hold them just to not stress them, but I don't mind holding them lol. It might be the food, not sure. But I do really smell that smell above the moss pit.