My Crab is out of his shell!

[HermitCrabFan]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Zoo Med Coconut Fiber, four-5 inches

2. Humidity gauge is usually around 60-80, when it gets below 70 I mist it. I have a "handheld" digital infrared temperature, it usually reads 86 in the day and 84 when it gets cold at night. It is currently at 86.

3. A heat pad and a heat lamp a few feet over the tank.

4. Fresh and salt, zoo med brands. My parents mix up the water, I do not know the ratio but they follow the instructions.

5. Fresh fruits, boiled eggs, freeze-dried krill. For the last couple of days they have eaten carrot, I usually change it every day or every other day.

6. Around 3 months, don't know the species.

7. Maybe a month ago he buried for a couple weeks. I do not know if he molted but I assume he did.

8. This crab is separated from the others, but the whole tank is 29 gal. He has a little section which is about 8+ gal. There is a cage lid with duct tape.

9. 4, small-medium size.

10.He has 10 shells.

11. My spray bottle I use to mist was kept in a room where freebreeze was sprayed, I went ahead and used it. I do not think that made a difference though, because the other crabs seem fine.

12. Every month I trade out some of the substrate for fresh. I have not changed out the whole tank yet because I have crabs molting.

13. No sponges, but I have a small shell in the water dishes to help them climb out.

14. A fake plant, but he's been around it before and it was just in the other section of the tank. Also shells, but again he's been around them.

15.No bathing, but because he was fighting with the other crabs he was in a cut-off milk galleon with 4 inches of coco fiber, 3 shells, a small piece of plastic plant and a water dish for 5 days until I could get a divider. He seemed fine and was active until just last night, before I added him back into his own section. (The cut-off container was in the tank with the rest of the crabs, so he had the same humidity and heat and stuff.)

16. Last night when I was placing him in his own section of the tank, he didn't seem very active. His antennas weren't moving much and he was sitting in his water dish, which had spilled out. I thought he was thirsty so I filled it half way. He sat in it for a few minutes before crawling out and sitting on a shell. He did not move for 20 minutes while I was rearranging the tank. Then I placed him in his own section, he did not move much for half an hour. After that he had somehow ended up on his back, and it took him 5 minute to figure out how to turn over. He crawled a few inches, into the hut (it's a plastic cup -- pet store was out of the kind I use, my friend suggested it, I cleaned it with fresh water.) and did not move for hours. I placed some carrot in the hut with him, and almost immediately he crawled out and over to the shell he was on before.

He stayed like that overnight, and a couple hours ago I saw him near his water dish. But now he is hanging on to that same shell, with his shell fallen off behind him. His antennas are not moving again, but he seems to be hanging on tight to the one shell. Is he dead? His abdomen is not curled. Two other crabs are molting, but the one I can see seems fine, just not very active. (He usually isn't after I change the dirt, but he is crawling back and forth on his stick, so that's usual for him.) Do I place the shell back on or leave him? Do I move him or cover him with a cup? Please help!

[Hermiearth]

You need to reshell him asap- gently back him into a shell. Keep him away from other crabs.


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[HermitCrabFan]

Okay, Henry's reshelled. My Mom said he moved his legs a bit when she placed him back. I don't know if he moved because he's alive or if it was cause he was taken off the other shell. His antennas aren't moving.

He was already sectioned off from the other crabs, because he kept getting into fights with another crab. I was scared they would hurt each other so there's a divider in the tank now, he's by himself. It's at 86 F, is that too hot? Should I move him into the milk galleon again and place him in a cooler part of the tank?

The main section where the other crabs are is usually around 86, and the very end is around 80. I have one crab who likes to hang around there. Should I place Henry, in his container there? In case it's too hot where he is?

EDIT: He moved! Before only his legs and head were out of the shell, now I can see a bit of his back. He usually sits like that. His shell is turned at an angle so he's pointed a bit up, so he wouldn't fall out if he was limp. I'm scared he's coming back out of his shell.

Should I cover him with a hut?

[Bean2011]

The best temperature for the tank is 80 degrees and 80 humidity. It is good that you have him separated. Maybe cover him with a hut so he feels more secure and make sure he has food and water nearby him. Water bottle caps/small shells work well for food and water dishes that are temporary.

[GotButterflies]

Hello I replied with GB for GotButterflies

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Zoo Med Coconut Fiber, four-5 inches

GB: Substrate should be 6 inches or 3 times the height of your largest crab (whichever is deeper). It should also be mixed with dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make the substrate sandcastle consistency.

2. Humidity gauge is usually around 60-80, when it gets below 70 I mist it. I have a "handheld" digital infrared temperature, it usually reads 86 in the day and 84 when it gets cold at night. It is currently at 86.

GB: Hermit crabs have modified gills and need the humidity to breath. Humidity should be 80 or above at all times. Temp should be imo 79-85. I don't let my crabitats go over 86. You can buy an Acurite guage from Walmart if you are interested They are $8, digital, run on batteries, and tell you temp and humidity currently as well as low and high for last 24 hours. You can find them in the home improvement section by the air filters.

3. A heat pad and a heat lamp a few feet over the tank.

4. Fresh and salt, zoo med brands. My parents mix up the water, I do not know the ratio but they follow the instructions.

GB: Unfortunately most products marketed for hermit crabs are not safe. You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, and chloramine as well as neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals. A lot of us use a product called Prime. As far as salt, you need marine salt, to mimic the ocean. A lot of us use a product called Instant Ocean which is what aquarium hobbyists use to make saltwater aquariums. It has the essential trace elements that hermit crabs need. You have to use the dechlorinator for both freshwater and marine saltwater. Both pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge in and safe enough for them to get out of.

5. Fresh fruits, boiled eggs, freeze-dried krill. For the last couple of days they have eaten carrot, I usually change it every day or every other day.

GB: Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
Safe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92556
Food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554

6. Around 3 months, don't know the species.

7. Maybe a month ago he buried for a couple weeks. I do not know if he molted but I assume he did.

8. This crab is separated from the others, but the whole tank is 29 gal. He has a little section which is about 8+ gal. There is a cage lid with duct tape.

9. 4, small-medium size.

10.He has 10 shells.

GB: The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per hermit crab. I personally recommend more. It never hurts to have more There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552

11. My spray bottle I use to mist was kept in a room where freebreeze was sprayed, I went ahead and used it. I do not think that made a difference though, because the other crabs seem fine.

GB: You used a spray bottle that was used for Febreeze? If so, I recommend getting a new bottle.

12. Every month I trade out some of the substrate for fresh. I have not changed out the whole tank yet because I have crabs molting.

GB: It is not necessary to clean the substrate so often. Just pick up poop, and food debris. Then change water frequently

13. No sponges, but I have a small shell in the water dishes to help them climb out.

GB: Pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge themselves into and safe enough to get out of.

14. A fake plant, but he's been around it before and it was just in the other section of the tank. Also shells, but again he's been around them.

15.No bathing, but because he was fighting with the other crabs he was in a cut-off milk galleon with 4 inches of coco fiber, 3 shells, a small piece of plastic plant and a water dish for 5 days until I could get a divider. He seemed fine and was active until just last night, before I added him back into his own section. (The cut-off container was in the tank with the rest of the crabs, so he had the same humidity and heat and stuff.)

16. Last night when I was placing him in his own section of the tank, he didn't seem very active. His antennas weren't moving much and he was sitting in his water dish, which had spilled out. I thought he was thirsty so I filled it half way. He sat in it for a few minutes before crawling out and sitting on a shell. He did not move for 20 minutes while I was rearranging the tank. Then I placed him in his own section, he did not move much for half an hour. After that he had somehow ended up on his back, and it took him 5 minute to figure out how to turn over. He crawled a few inches, into the hut (it's a plastic cup -- pet store was out of the kind I use, my friend suggested it, I cleaned it with fresh water.) and did not move for hours. I placed some carrot in the hut with him, and almost immediately he crawled out and over to the shell he was on before.

He stayed like that overnight, and a couple hours ago I saw him near his water dish. But now he is hanging on to that same shell, with his shell fallen off behind him. His antennas are not moving again, but he seems to be hanging on tight to the one shell. Is he dead? His abdomen is not curled. Two other crabs are molting, but the one I can see seems fine, just not very active. (He usually isn't after I change the dirt, but he is crawling back and forth on his stick, so that's usual for him.) Do I place the shell back on or leave him? Do I move him or cover him with a cup? Please help!

[GotButterflies]

Okay, so a few things come to mind. Perhaps he is getting ready to molt. Crabs can get an attitude right before molting. They also usually look for a larger shell to take down for a molt. You said you have 10 shells, but are they the correct kind that he/she likes? Please refer to the shell guide I posted for you

Give this guy some organic raw honey, protein and calcium along with marine saltwater (not the salt the you have) and freshwater. Give him a hide, and be as hands off as possible. Hopefully he will make it! Try to get him a larger shell asap too

[Freckles24]

I'm not very good with emergencies but my first thought when reading this was maybe he is too hot. I think I've read that crabs with let go of their shells to try and cool off? This probably isn't it but I would really try to get the tank down to 80 (that's what mine are happiest at anyways)

[HermitCrabFan]

I gave him some hardboiled egg (with yolk), and egg shell. I placed it in on a clam shell the size of a quarter about an inch away from him. He hasn't moved since we reshelled him. We always buy organic and I give them protein but after a few days of eating the same thing they don't eat it anymore. They only had carrot because they had been eating corn and krill for too long and didn't mess with it anymore.

I will turn off the heat pad closest to him, that should take his temperature down a few degrees. But my other crabs liked the temperature that way, and became inactive the last time it got to 80. I will still try it.

No, my misting bottle hasn't been used for anything else except their water. I just accidentally left it in a room that has an automatic sprayer, and sprays freebreeze every 20 min or so.

He's changed into the shells I have before, but changed back into his old painted one. I have different types and sizes of shells and I am saving my money to buy more types.

Should I take him out of the shell he's in now and place him in a bigger shell? He's limp which scares me but I know we could do it if we had to. He has 4 shells which are bigger, 5 are around his size or a bit bigger, and 1 which is a little smaller.

EDIT: Also, I just remembered: A week ago I saw he had no hairs on his legs, which I think is an indicator that he's preparing to molt. But when he was out of his shell I didn't see a molt sac.

[GotButterflies]

Crabs typically ditch their shells when they are too weak to carry them.

Do the organic raw honey, protein and calcium. Provide fw and msw. I would be as hands off as possible for him to possibly make it. It might be too late for this guy, but good luck!

In the meantime, do try to get the correct msw. The salt that you have is not correct.

[Freckles24]

I gave him some hardboiled egg (with yolk), and egg shell. I placed it in on a clam shell the size of a quarter about an inch away from him. He hasn't moved since we reshelled him. We always buy organic and I give them protein but after a few days of eating the same thing they don't eat it anymore. They only had carrot because they had been eating corn and krill for too long and didn't mess with it anymore.

I will turn off the heat pad closest to him, that should take his temperature down a few degrees. But my other crabs liked the temperature that way, and became inactive the last time it got to 80. I will still try it.

No, my misting bottle hasn't been used for anything else except their water. I just accidentally left it in a room that has an automatic sprayer, and sprays freebreeze every 20 min or so.

He's changed into the shells I have before, but changed back into his old painted one. I have different types and sizes of shells and I am saving my money to buy more types.

Should I take him out of the shell he's in now and place him in a bigger shell? He's limp which scares me but I know we could do it if we had to. He has 4 shells which are bigger, 5 are around his size or a bit bigger, and 1 which is a little smaller.

EDIT: Also, I just remembered: A week ago I saw he had no hairs on his legs, which I think is an indicator that he's preparing to molt. But when he was out of his shell I didn't see a molt sac.

I wanted to add I've never seen a molt sac on any of mine but I know they have molted several times. I think the lack of hairs just means it's been a while since they molted but not necessarily that they are about to.

[HermitCrabFan]

Thanks for all the help, but unfortunately he's dead. He never moved from the position we sat him in, and the death smell stunk up the tank. We think he might've been dead all along and had fallen out of his shell. Thank you for all your help, guys.

[GotButterflies]

Sorry to read this. Try to make the recommended suggestions ~ especially marine salt. Good luck!


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