My crabs wont come up! Help!

[Kels1513]

I have had Sebastian for about 3 months now. I won him at a carnival and had no idea what I was getting myself into. The pet stores do not give great advice for caring for them so I went on here to set up the right crabitat for him. I thought he was molting but around 1am a few weeks ago I saw him eating and the food had been touched so I knew he was coming up at night. I hadn't seen him for a week now and I thought he might be lonely so I got him a friend, Chester, and the second I put chester in the tank he went right under next to Sebastian. I am so nervous that I made a huge mistake...

Could Sebastian have been molting? Did I disturb the process by adding a new crab? Both have been underground ever since...I can hear them moving underneath but they never come up.

I am still checking on their food and 2 water dishes, humidity and heat.

Do any of you crabby pros have recommendations? Did I make a big mistake by adding a new crab? I was afraid to dig either of them up because yall say that is bad!! I'm nervous Chester might eat Sebastian...

Please let me know!
-A frazzled crab mom

[lenny22]

I think that they are both probably molting at the same time. I do know that hermit crabs are social animals, so getting another hermit crab i think was a good move in the long run if the molting goes well.

[GotButterflies]

#1 recommendation - DON'T DIG!!!!.....EVER!!!
#2 recommendation - DON'T WORRY!!!!

Really though...this is typical for these guys!! They dig to destress...they dig to chill out..they dig to molt...they know what they are doing!!! Many of us crabbers call our tanks "Pet Sand" during this time. Also..hermit crabs are nocturnal. This is typical behavior for hermit crabs. A great majority of my crabs dig down during the day, and surface at night. If they don't come up at night, I seriously don't worry, because I know my tank specs are fine. If you would like for us to check out your tank specs, fill this out here: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

Smile, and relax!!!

[mjjluver]

Something similar happened to me. One was down molting and the new guy dug down in the exact same spot! I was scared the first molter would get cannibalized. Fortunately the didn't happen and they both came up good as new!

[Kels1513]

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
You have all really put me at ease. I just love these little guys! I'm happy I didn't make a mistake and I hope they both come up soon
I just keep smelling the tank to make sure it doesn't smell like dead fish. eek!

I will relax and keep doing what I am doing. You guys are all so wonderful! I'm glad I joined the crab world.

[Kels1513]

Thank you so much! here are my answers:

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Coco fibers and calcium sand

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. Humidity is around 70-80
Temp is 70-80 as well

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A heating pad 4 watts on the side of the tank and a daytime bulb and night time bulb.

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)?
Fresh water is dechlorinated by letting it sit overnight (I read it evaporates over night.)
I also have Safe soak that I spray occasionally
Salt water that I buy at Petsmart

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Blueberries
carrots
celery
egg
shrimp
a mixture of food I got on etsy that is made for crabs - all organic
egg shell for calcium

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
2 PPs 1 I've had for 3 months the other a week

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Not molted yet...that I know of. but have been underground for 2 weeks, the other 1 week.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon tank with a reptile net to climb and coconut to hide under. big fresh water pond with shells under so they don't drown. wire lid with saran wrap over it to keep in humidity. twice a day I open it to let fresh air in.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs- both the size of a ping pong ball, one is slightly smaller than the other but not by much

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I have a ton of shells...like 15

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
I don't think so!

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean it every week. Check for mold exc. I just scoop it out.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
no sponges, I heard they were bad. water dishes are low enough they can get out easily but still fill their shells with the water they need.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Just a unicorn statue

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.)?
When they were above surface I let them climb on my hands for exercise

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

[daws409]

I responded with a D.

Thank you so much! here are my answers:

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Coco fibers and calcium sand

D- How deep is it?? It should be at least 6 inches deep or 3x your largest crab. Whichever is deeper. Calcium sand is bad for them. It can harden like cement when wet. Your best bet would be to get some play sand from home depot, lowes, or walmart. You CAN use straight play sand, straight ee (eco earth) or a combo of both. Also make sure your cocofiber is the ground up kind not the chunky kind.

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. Humidity is around 70-80
Temp is 70-80 as well

D- anything below 75 can cause them to slow down. Most strive for 80/80. If you have analog gauges, I suggest switching to digital. They're more accurate IMO. You can get a brand called Accurite from Wal-Mart under $10. Their kept with the air filters.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A heating pad 4 watts on the side of the tank and a daytime bulb and night time bulb.

D- lights tend to zap humidity. Zoomed and most other brands do lil to nothing for heat. If possible I would upgrade to an ultratherm heater. http://Www.reptilebasics.com or http://www.beanfarm.com is the cheapest. You'll want the largest that will fit along the back and above the sub.

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)?
Fresh water is dechlorinated by letting it sit overnight (I read it evaporates over night.)
I also have Safe soak that I spray occasionally
Salt water that I buy at Petsmart

D- you'll still need a dechlorinator to remove ammonia, chlorine, and other heavy metals. Most use a product called Prime. For salt, you'll want an marine grade salt since they have much needed minerals. Most use instant ocean for this.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Blueberries
carrots
celery
egg
shrimp
a mixture of food I got on etsy that is made for crabs - all organic
egg shell for calcium

D- that's great! Make sure your feeding organic as much as possible.
food guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... #p852657on
Safe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 57#p852660
Unsafe list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 56#p852659

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
2 PPs 1 I've had for 3 months the other a week

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Not molted yet...that I know of. but have been underground for 2 weeks, the other 1 week.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon tank with a reptile net to climb and coconut to hide under. big fresh water pond with shells under so they don't drown. wire lid with saran wrap over it to keep in humidity. twice a day I open it to let fresh air in.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs- both the size of a ping pong ball, one is slightly smaller than the other but not by much

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I have a ton of shells...like 15

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
I don't think so!

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean it every week. Check for mold exc. I just scoop it out.

D- clean how? All need is to remove poo and drug away foods.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
no sponges, I heard they were bad. water dishes are low enough they can get out easily but still fill their shells with the water they need.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Just a unicorn statue

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.)?
When they were above surface I let them climb on my hands for exercise

D- they are prey animals. Being handled just stresses them out IMO. It's better to be hands off as much as possible.... For exercise, have you considered a modified hamster wheel?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

[GotButterflies]

Hello again! There are a few things that I would like to mention. Substrate should be mixed with dechlorinated msw or dechlorinated fw to make the substrate sandcastle consistency.

I also highly recommend the digital Acurite gauge! They are $8 - can be purchased through Amazon as well Show temp and humidity currently as well as the last high and low over the past 24 hours!

You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, chloramine and neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals. Prime does all of that. If you don't get prime, that is fine - just make sure it does all of the other stuff I mentioned.

Most commercial products targeted for hermit crabs are unfortunately not good. Please avoid them! Definitely recommend Instant Ocean like Daws recommended!!

Also, Please do not spray safe soak. You would want to spray dechlorinated fresh water. Salt does not evaporate. You do not want a build up of salt in your tank.

Edit: Is the unicorn statue safe? To be safe it would need to be a fish/aquarium product imo
I would also like to mention that with your fw and msw pools, they should be deep enough for your crabs to fully submerge in, and safely get out of.

As far as shells....that's great...but are they the right kind? LOL...please check out the shell guide! Once again, commercial marketed hermit crab shells in the store are usually not preferred shells. You can check ebay, etsy, our shopping resources guide, joanns, hobby lobby, michaels Here is the shell guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552

Also, mold is not harmful to the crabs..just us Usually if you just leave it..it will eventually die off

[Kels1513]

Thank you so much for your replies! I have purchased Prime and Instant ocean. My newest crab, Chester came up 4 days ago and is a very active little guy! He already switched shells and LOVES popcorn! It is the cutest thing. (the popcorn is organic and plain.) I got a modified hamster wheel but so far all he wants to do is hide behind it! He loves climbing his reptile net though and will hang on it all day.

My unicorn in the tank is for an aquarium so I think he is totally safe. The crabs like to hide behind him.

I think my crab Sebastian may be molting still because he has been under for about 3-4 weeks now. I hope the little guy makes it out safe!

Thank you for all your help. You guys are great people!!!!