Molting above ground, i may have killed him

[PinchersAndShells]

I wanted to add on with some links and other notes that may be some help, and where to find certain items, sorry if this bothers you Curly!

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.
P&S: Play sand from stores such as Home Depot or Lowes works great and is fairly cheap. You can get it for $5 for a 50 lb bag. Eco Earth, or coconut fiber, is cheapest in the form of a solid brick that you place in dechlorinated fresh or salt water that expands. It can be found online or at pet stores.

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.
P&S: As Curly stated, salt water needs marine salt made for saltwater fish. Not table salt, which I'm pretty sure is what Mediterranean sea salt is. Also be sure to avoid freshwater salt. Good dechlorinator and sea salt brands can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92553

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.
P&S: The safe food list can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557

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
P&S: We recommend 3-5 shells of appropriate size and type per crab. Favorite kinds of shells and those to avoid can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552

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.
P&S: Sponges don't help with the humidity, and there is debate on whether or not they actually harbor bacteria in the water dish. The crabs need to be able to completely submerge in the water dishes anyway, with a way in and out. You could throw the sponges out or dry them and place them elsewhere in the crabitat as a snack.

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
P&S: Eco Earth works much better than dirt, as it does not dry like cement.

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.
P&S: Basic care sheet can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=51&t=92457 and additional notes for your species of crab can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=51&t=92452

[curlysister]

Doesn't bother me at all to have someone add on, or give their own answers. Sometimes I give the links, other times I just tell people where to look. It may have been more beneficial for the OP to have had the info added earlier, closer to when the problem happened, rather than 6 weeks later.

[hprmom]

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 terrific!


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