Hermit crab naked without shell submerging in salt water dish?

[hayleyg10]

Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks!


1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

I use eco earth substrate and it is 6inches deep.

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, the gauges are located in the middle of the tank on the back wall close to the ground. The temperature is constantly at 70 degrees, and the humidity is usually anywhere from 70% at its lowest to 80% at its highest.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

I use a heating pad on the back wall of my tank towards the left side.

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)?

I provide fresh water and salt water for my hermit crabs, and it’s treated with seachem prime decholinator, and the saltwater is made using Instant Ocean according to the box’s directions.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

I feed my crabs a variety of food from veggies, dried fruits, walnuts, dried shrimp, pellet mix, and calcium blocks.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

The crab I’m worried about I have only had for a little over a week, I bought it from petco as a companion for my other crab who I have also only had for about 3 weeks. I don’t know the species of either.


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

The crab I’m worried about has not molted while in my care, but has been displaying some signs he might be preparing to molt.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

They are kept in a 20 gallon glass tank with a mesh lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

There are 2 crabs in the tank and each are about an inch long.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

There are currently 7 extra shells of varying size, opening shape, and weight available.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?

I clean the tank daily (remove scraps of food, change water). A more thorough cleaning is done every 5 months.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

No.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

Since setup, no. A few shells have been added but were thoroughly boiled before being put into the crabitat.

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.)?

During the daytime I let the crabs have their space and quiet. I turn their light on when I wake off and turn it off before bed. The only time I open the crabitat is to mist the tank 3 times a day and once before bed to change their food. At night they always become active.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

My newest crab has been streaking around the tank the last few days. The first time it happened I let him have his space, and didn’t turn the light on for the day so as to not bother him. I later found that he had moved back into his shell. All has been fine but I noticed he changed shells again a few days ago. I thought things were going good, he found a new shell and was active. Today I found him naked again, very close to a bigger shell. I stopped and observed as I thought he would move into it, however he walked straight to the saltwater dish and submerged in there for a while. Right now he’s out of the water and hovering around the food dish, which I might add hasn’t been disturbed in 2-3 days, also slightly concerning me. Is there anything I can do? Is he preparing to molt? I feel he might be stressed coming from the conditions he was kept in at petco, but he goes back and forth into his shells. I appreciate any help!!

[curlysister]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

I use eco earth substrate and it is 6inches deep.

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, the gauges are located in the middle of the tank on the back wall close to the ground. The temperature is constantly at 70 degrees, and the humidity is usually anywhere from 70% at its lowest to 80% at its highest.
Curly - 70 degrees is on the cool side of the range, 75 to 80 degrees would be better. 70% is also a bit low for humidity, 80% is also better.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

I use a heating pad on the back wall of my tank towards the left side.

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)?

I provide fresh water and salt water for my hermit crabs, and it’s treated with seachem prime decholinator, and the saltwater is made using Instant Ocean according to the box’s directions.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

I feed my crabs a variety of food from veggies, dried fruits, walnuts, dried shrimp, pellet mix, and calcium blocks.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

The crab I’m worried about I have only had for a little over a week, I bought it from petco as a companion for my other crab who I have also only had for about 3 weeks. I don’t know the species of either.


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

The crab I’m worried about has not molted while in my care, but has been displaying some signs he might be preparing to molt.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

They are kept in a 20 gallon glass tank with a mesh lid.
Curly - If you cover the lid with saran wrap/ plastic wrap, it will keep the humidity in better.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

There are 2 crabs in the tank and each are about an inch long.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

There are currently 7 extra shells of varying size, opening shape, and weight available.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?

I clean the tank daily (remove scraps of food, change water). A more thorough cleaning is done every 5 months.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

No.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

Since setup, no. A few shells have been added but were thoroughly boiled before being put into the crabitat.

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.)?

During the daytime I let the crabs have their space and quiet. I turn their light on when I wake off and turn it off before bed. The only time I open the crabitat is to mist the tank 3 times a day and once before bed to change their food. At night they always become active.
Curly - What type of lamp do you use? Heat lamps can zap the humidity.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

My newest crab has been streaking around the tank the last few days. The first time it happened I let him have his space, and didn’t turn the light on for the day so as to not bother him. I later found that he had moved back into his shell. All has been fine but I noticed he changed shells again a few days ago. I thought things were going good, he found a new shell and was active. Today I found him naked again, very close to a bigger shell. I stopped and observed as I thought he would move into it, however he walked straight to the saltwater dish and submerged in there for a while. Right now he’s out of the water and hovering around the food dish, which I might add hasn’t been disturbed in 2-3 days, also slightly concerning me. Is there anything I can do? Is he preparing to molt? I feel he might be stressed coming from the conditions he was kept in at petco, but he goes back and forth into his shells. I appreciate any help!!
Curly - A crab will drop it's shell if it is too weak to carry it. Your conditions are pretty good, so it very well could be Post Purchase Syndrome from the conditions and stressors it has been through at the pet store and before. A crab without a shell will die. Put him n a bowl with a mm or two of water and a couple of appropriate sized shells. If he won't go back in a shell on his own, you will need to gently pick him up and put him in a shell manually. Keep his conditions optimal and feed healing foods, including calcium. Probably best to keep him isolated from your other crab, while he is in the weakened state.

[Tamara christ]

This is EXACTLY what happened to me when I got my very first two crabs .i looked in the tank one day and my crab was in the water bowl naked . Sadly to say , my crab died . I was never sure why he did this and no one could explain it .


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[hayleyg10]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

I use eco earth substrate and it is 6inches deep.

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, the gauges are located in the middle of the tank on the back wall close to the ground. The temperature is constantly at 70 degrees, and the humidity is usually anywhere from 70% at its lowest to 80% at its highest.
Curly - 70 degrees is on the cool side of the range, 75 to 80 degrees would be better. 70% is also a bit low for humidity, 80% is also better.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

I use a heating pad on the back wall of my tank towards the left side.

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)?

I provide fresh water and salt water for my hermit crabs, and it’s treated with seachem prime decholinator, and the saltwater is made using Instant Ocean according to the box’s directions.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

I feed my crabs a variety of food from veggies, dried fruits, walnuts, dried shrimp, pellet mix, and calcium blocks.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

The crab I’m worried about I have only had for a little over a week, I bought it from petco as a companion for my other crab who I have also only had for about 3 weeks. I don’t know the species of either.


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

The crab I’m worried about has not molted while in my care, but has been displaying some signs he might be preparing to molt.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

They are kept in a 20 gallon glass tank with a mesh lid.
Curly - If you cover the lid with saran wrap/ plastic wrap, it will keep the humidity in better.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

There are 2 crabs in the tank and each are about an inch long.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

There are currently 7 extra shells of varying size, opening shape, and weight available.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?

I clean the tank daily (remove scraps of food, change water). A more thorough cleaning is done every 5 months.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

No.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

Since setup, no. A few shells have been added but were thoroughly boiled before being put into the crabitat.

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.)?

During the daytime I let the crabs have their space and quiet. I turn their light on when I wake off and turn it off before bed. The only time I open the crabitat is to mist the tank 3 times a day and once before bed to change their food. At night they always become active.
Curly - What type of lamp do you use? Heat lamps can zap the humidity.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

My newest crab has been streaking around the tank the last few days. The first time it happened I let him have his space, and didn’t turn the light on for the day so as to not bother him. I later found that he had moved back into his shell. All has been fine but I noticed he changed shells again a few days ago. I thought things were going good, he found a new shell and was active. Today I found him naked again, very close to a bigger shell. I stopped and observed as I thought he would move into it, however he walked straight to the saltwater dish and submerged in there for a while. Right now he’s out of the water and hovering around the food dish, which I might add hasn’t been disturbed in 2-3 days, also slightly concerning me. Is there anything I can do? Is he preparing to molt? I feel he might be stressed coming from the conditions he was kept in at petco, but he goes back and forth into his shells. I appreciate any help!!
Curly - A crab will drop it's shell if it is too weak to carry it. Your conditions are pretty good, so it very well could be Post Purchase Syndrome from the conditions and stressors it has been through at the pet store and before. A crab without a shell will die. Put him n a bowl with a mm or two of water and a couple of appropriate sized shells. If he won't go back in a shell on his own, you will need to gently pick him up and put him in a shell manually. Keep his conditions optimal and feed healing foods, including calcium. Probably best to keep him isolated from your other crab, while he is in the weakened state.

Thanks for your help! The crab moved into his shell shortly after posting this but was just hanging in it and not moving. I moved him to a cocohut so he could have some privacy rather than being out in the open. The next day he moved to the opposite side of the tank into a corner and since has been sitting there not moving in his shell. He doesn’t respond to touch or vibrations, nor light. I don’t smell the typical “death scent” so I’m not sure if he’s passed? Could he be surface molting?