Crabs not using water

squid · Post by **squid** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 6:10 pm

Hi everyone,
I’ve had my 4 PPs for about a week now, and it doesn’t seem as though they’ve been drinking/using the salt/fresh water at all, as there is no sand in either bowl? I won’t be able to make any drastic changes until the weekend (eg changing the bowls so they’re more accessible/changing salt/using tap water and primer instead of bottled water). Will they be ok until then?

I know it’s not going as well as I’d hoped so far, but I really am trying my best, and thought that I had everything under control but apparently not. I just want what’s best for my crabs

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Motörcrab · Post by **Motörcrab** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 6:25 pm

So far I have never seen any of our purple pinchers go swimming in any of the waters. We only see them climb on the side of the bowl and wet a leg or two to get a drink. On occasion they may fall in by accident but never intentionally go swimming as far as I can tell. Their water is rarely gross after a few days.

Our strawberries on the other hand usually go for a dip at least twice a week. After 2-3 days their pools need to be changed out from all the poop and sand they drag into the pools.

squid · Post by **squid** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 6:27 pm

Thank you so much! I will try and get bowls where it is easier for them to do that (right now there’s quite a gap between the rim of the bowls and the beginning of the water)

Not quite sure what I’d do without this forum

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Motörcrab · Post by **Motörcrab** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 6:36 pm

As long as they can easily climb in and out of the dishes they should use the water as needed. I usually keep the water about 3/4" from the top of the pool. That way they the bubblers don't spray water all over the tank as much. Plus it gives some room for the water to rise if they do decide to swim.

Add some crafting mesh as ladders for them to use to get in and out of the pools. CAREFULLY poke, drill, or melt holes into plastic containers near the top and add a few zip ties to attach the chafting mesh to the sides.

This forum is awesome. I couldn't tell you how much I learned on here in the year and a half I have been a member.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association