Not eating

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
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Hermiesguardian
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Not eating

Post by Hermiesguardian » Sun Dec 17, 2017 4:34 pm

The last several days it doesn't seem like my crabs are eating. I used to catch them but not for days. Not even popcorn. Or honey. Or food I got from hermie's kitchen. I even put one by the food. A few minutes later he was hiding somewhere. I got the temp and humidity up so I'm hoping to see more activity. They've been hanging out up against the tank where the heater is.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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LadyJinglyJones
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Re: Not eating

Post by LadyJinglyJones » Mon Dec 18, 2017 2:46 am

Sometimes crabs go through times when they're less energetic about eating. It can be linked to moult cycles - they'll slow down a bunch.

Also, they may just be eating reeeeally tiny, dainty pinches.

You can try smoothing out the sand around the food at night & see if there are any crab foots prints in the morning.

Either way, try not to worry. We all see periods of seemingly low food intake from time to time. :)
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Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
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Lewisthecrab
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Re: Not eating

Post by Lewisthecrab » Mon Dec 18, 2017 9:37 am

It's ok. My crabs didn't see treat for like DAYS and then I discovered a secret food cache! It could be that.
"To boldly go where no crab has gone before"

Current Crab population: 3
Tank size: 10 gallon

Current residents: Lewis(male), Nico(male), Alexa(female)

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Re: Not eating

Post by Hermiesguardian » Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:12 am

Lewisthecrab wrote:It's ok. My crabs didn't see treat for like DAYS and then I discovered a secret food cache! It could be that.
I don't think so. Even the popcorn is still there. A little shriveled but still there.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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Re: Not eating

Post by GotButterflies » Mon Dec 18, 2017 3:52 pm

Is their tank warm enough?
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Re: Not eating

Post by Hermiesguardian » Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:22 pm

GotButterflies wrote:Is their tank warm enough?
I finally got the tank warm and humid. Even put a blanket on top.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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Re: Not eating

Post by GotButterflies » Tue Dec 19, 2017 7:36 pm

Now that their tank is warm enough they should start to move around in the next day or so which will lead to them eating again


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Re: Not eating

Post by Hermiesguardian » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:45 pm

GotButterflies wrote:Now that their tank is warm enough they should start to move around in the next day or so which will lead to them eating again


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Thanks. I have a question. With the insulation on all sides of the tank, including the lid, how do they get any daylight?
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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Re: Not eating

Post by GotButterflies » Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:22 am

They need 12 hr day & 12hr night.


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Re: Not eating

Post by Hermiesguardian » Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:28 pm

GotButterflies wrote:They need 12 hr day & 12hr night.


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I know but if the tank is covered in insulation and a blanket, how does that happen? If I take off the insulation and blanket, then it's too cold.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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Re: Not eating

Post by aussieJJDude » Wed Dec 20, 2017 6:25 pm

Do you have any lighting that you could use?

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Re: Not eating

Post by LadyJinglyJones » Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:55 pm

A goose neck lamp or old aquarium hood would be ideal. You can clear a little space over the top where the light can shine in. Incandescent bulbs give off heat, so where the light shines won't become a heat sink so long as the bulb isn't too far away. You can use your hand to make sure of this.
"Gaze upon the rolling deep..."
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(

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Re: Not eating

Post by Hermiesguardian » Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:45 pm

LadyJinglyJones wrote:A goose neck lamp or old aquarium hood would be ideal. You can clear a little space over the top where the light can shine in. Incandescent bulbs give off heat, so where the light shines won't become a heat sink so long as the bulb isn't too far away. You can use your hand to make sure of this.
But won't that kill the humidity? Wouldn't flourescent be better?
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi

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Re: Not eating

Post by aussieJJDude » Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:46 pm

Hermiesguardian wrote:
LadyJinglyJones wrote:A goose neck lamp or old aquarium hood would be ideal. You can clear a little space over the top where the light can shine in. Incandescent bulbs give off heat, so where the light shines won't become a heat sink so long as the bulb isn't too far away. You can use your hand to make sure of this.
But won't that kill the humidity? Wouldn't flourescent be better?
If its not pressed up right next to the lid - aka gap for heat to escape - it should have little affect on humidity.

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Re: Not eating

Post by GotButterflies » Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:57 am

Hermiesguardian wrote:
GotButterflies wrote:They need 12 hr day & 12hr night.


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I know but if the tank is covered in insulation and a blanket, how does that happen? If I take off the insulation and blanket, then it's too cold.
Can you add another or different heater?


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Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com

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