Molting above ground, i may have killed him

[carrieaurquhart]

1st time hermit owner. I found crab falling out of shell, thought it was dead, it was just exoskeleton that was shed. I tried to wash out the shell with soap and water so it could be reused and the hermit came out for air. I put him back in the tank and isolated him. Do you think he will make it after I tried to flush him out? I feel awful.


1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Sand, about 2 inches. I realize now I need more than i have.

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, 75 to 80
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Reptile heat pad

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 and salt, salt mixed according to internet directions, sea salt mixed with water. I think it was 1tsp per cup?
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Hermit crab pellets, various fruits, nuts, veggies. Every other day or so

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Had him for about 4 months, blue claw crab

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
1st molt
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
50 gallon fish tank with plastic lid it comes with

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 small about a quarter size
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 5

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Once a month or so earlier if needed? Scoop out old food wash out bowls
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes, rinse them in hot water
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Yes I put dirt in there, then removed it because it dried out like a rock
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.)?

I have NO IDEA what I am doing and there is so much information on the internet that contradicts itself. I need help.

[curlysister]

The information found on this site is all very good, you really don't need to go to any other sources. Look at the care sheets, they have a lot of really good information. Pellets are not considered safe food, they contain too many additives and preservatives. Sponges in the water bowls aren't needed, and generally just breed bacteria.

Just to clarify a couple of things above:

What kind of sand is it? Play sand? Hermit crab sand?
Are both your temp and humidity in the 75-80 range?
What brand of salt are you using? Are you using a dechlorinator for both the fresh and salt waters?

[carrieaurquhart]

It's sand from Florida where we got them, I'm not sure about humidiry, I'll check. I used Mediterranean sea salt. No I don't have a declorinator

[Hermiesguardian]

It's sand from Florida where we got them, I'm not sure about humidiry, I'll check. I used Mediterranean sea salt. No I don't have a declorinator

Sechem Prime is recommended to dechlorinate the fresh water and the salt water. Instant Ocean is recommended to make saltwater.

[carrieaurquhart]

Thanks I'll try those. Any idea if he will live?

[JoeHermits]

If he’s already molted he’ll be using his energy to recover. Make sure he has darkness, his shed exoskeleton, and good temperatures and humidity.

It’s pretty much just wait and see from here. Surface molts are very stressful, and most hermit crabs can’t survive multiple surface molts in a row.


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[carrieaurquhart]

Thanks! I put a cup over him. Hopefully he'll be alright. Do you know how long it takes them to recover? I'm trying not to mess around in there and bother him too much, but I read you have to isolate them or the other crab may eat him. I got more sand/coconut fiber mix to put in there to avoid this is the future. He's never been very active, barely moves or eats.

[JoeHermits]

He could end up sitting under that cup without moving for months. It varies from crab to crab.


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[carrieaurquhart]

Ok thanks! I will definitely leave him alone until I smell rotten fish smell.

[curlysister]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Sand, about 2 inches. I realize now I need more than i have.
C/ You need to have at least 6 inches, or 3x as deep as your largest crab, whichever is deepest. It needs to be kept moist enough that it will hold it's shape (ie- sandcastle consistence). Many of us mix in some Eco Earth to help keep the moisture.

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, 75 to 80
C/ Thermometer and hygrometer are essential. Temps should be 75-80, and humidity should be at least 80%.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Reptile heat pad
C/ The heat pad goes on the back or side of the tank, not on the bottom.

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 and salt, salt mixed according to internet directions, sea salt mixed with water. I think it was 1tsp per cup?
C/ Dechlorination of tap water is necessary, both for the fresh and salt waters. Salt water needs to be made from Marine Salt, such as Instant Ocean. The correct ratio of Instant Ocean is one Tablespoon per 2 cups of dechlor water.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Hermit crab pellets, various fruits, nuts, veggies. Every other day or so
C/ Pellets are not safe. Be sure to read the nutrition section for a complete list of safe and not safe foods, as well as the food pyramid. Hermit crabs need protein, calcium, as well as fruits and vegetables.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Had him for about 4 months, blue claw crab

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
1st molt
C/ If a crab doesn't have enough proper substrate to bury himself to molt, he will surface molt, which it sounds like your crab has done. This is always risky. Ensuring proper conditions with deep enough substrate will help prevent this in the future.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
50 gallon fish tank with plastic lid it comes with

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 small about a quarter size
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 5

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Once a month or so earlier if needed? Scoop out old food wash out bowls
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes, rinse them in hot water
Sponges aren't necessary, and most of us don't use them.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Yes I put dirt in there, then removed it because it dried out like a rock
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.)?

I have NO IDEA what I am doing and there is so much information on the internet that contradicts itself. I need help.

Read all the care sheets on this site. If you do that, you literally won't need to look at any other info online! LOL.

[carrieaurquhart]

Thank you! I bought more substrate mix, and a hydrometer. I noticed they never eat the pellets so no prob there. I've read through all the care sheets so I can fix the crabitat asap! Thanks for everyone's help.

[carrieaurquhart]

Just an update if anyone is curious, he made it. He finished molting under the cup and came out when he was finished. I gave him egg shells, fish, and a fruit and grain mix. He is doing great, running all over the aquarium. Now the other guy is hiding. Maybe he is molting too!

[fandt94]

Just an update if anyone is curious, he made it. He finished molting under the cup and came out when he was finished. I gave him egg shells, fish, and a fruit and grain mix. He is doing great, running all over the aquarium. Now the other guy is hiding. Maybe he is molting too!

That’s great news!! Thanks for the update

[Hermiesguardian]

Yay!!

[GotButterflies]

That is great news!