Acting weird?

[Sebastian17]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and new to owning a hermit crab. I rescued Sebastian from a home that didn't take care of him very well. But now I have him in a beautiful tank with plenty of toys and sand. The only thing is he is hiding all the time, I haven't seen him eat or drink anything , so for the past 3 days I have had him I hand feed him to make sure he is eating. He stays still in his cage and doesn't move unless I take him out to feed him. When out he become a whole new crab and moves and eats when offered.

Please, someone tell me if he is molting and if so should I stop hand feeding him and leave him alone or if he is stressed over the move?

[soilentgringa]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and new to owning a hermit crab. I rescued Sebastian from a home that didn't take care of him very well. But now I have him in a beautiful tank with plenty of toys and sand. The only thing is he is hiding all the time, I haven't seen him eat or drink anything , so for the past 3 days I have had him I hand feed him to make sure he is eating. He stays still in his cage and doesn't move unless I take him out to feed him. When out he become a whole new crab and moves and eats when offered.

Please, someone tell me if he is molting and if so should I stop hand feeding him and leave him alone or if he is stressed over the move?

I would definitely recommend leaving it alone. Crabs really aren't pets to be handled or played with IMO.

What do you mean by toys in it's tank? They don't play with toys like ferrets or rats.

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[LadyJinglyJones]

Also, just in case you haven't seen it, here's the care sheet:

http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 51&t=92457

Check out other great info resourses in the FAQ section.

[GotButterflies]

Hello! Welcome to the HCA

Welcome also to the addictive world of crabbing!!

Is your tank heated to a minimum of 80 max 85? Does your tank have a humidity level of at least 80 minimum? Hermit crabs have modified gills and need humidity to breathe.

After those two things are met, I recommend you give your crab time to acclimate to it's new environment.

Hermit crabs are indeed prey animals, and I personally don't handle mine. When I was a teenager (many moons ago) I did though. For the time being I recommend you be hands off. He/she will not starve. What are you feeding it? Please check out the following links:
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

Please also check out the care guide that LJJ posted for you!!

[lenny22]

Hermit crabs are nocturnal so it is probably eating at night.

[aussieJJDude]

Welcome to the board! Hope you enjoy it here!

[Sebastian17]

Thank you everyone for getting back to me! I have everything he needs and now that time has gone by I have noticed him coming out to eat at night so now I'm not worried.

[LadyJinglyJones]

Yay!
Eventually you'll be ready to get him a friend... then you'll get to see the social interactions of crabboos, which are really neat.