fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
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?
eco earth and like 10 inches
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?
the tat has been a little cool bc me heater broke and i’m getting a new one but temp 70 (normally 80)
humidity 80 s and 90s
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
not right now but getting a new one ultratherm
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)?
instant ocean and prime for salt and fresh
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
fruits nuts seeds and protein
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
couple months and pp
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
looks like he just did
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
55 gal with mesh lid and paper towels for humidity reasons
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
21 (multiple sizes but mostly small)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
i don’t have exactly 3-5 shells per crab because no one has room for like almost 100 shells but i do have like 60-70 because most of my crabs are in similar size shells if that makes sense so they still have more than enough
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
almost a year because the tank was new
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?
just decor
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.)?
no
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
i know i should put this under bugs but i’m freaking out because my crab has bugs !!!! they are little white bugs but this crab was u death round since i got him and i didn’t see any when i got him but i barely saw them now so i could have missed it but i have a lot of crabs so give me the best advice for getting rid of them and are these ones harmful for you know
i figured i’d get a fast response in this forum sorry but please help!!!
.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
eco earth and like 10 inches
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?
the tat has been a little cool bc me heater broke and i’m getting a new one but temp 70 (normally 80)
humidity 80 s and 90s
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
not right now but getting a new one ultratherm
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)?
instant ocean and prime for salt and fresh
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
fruits nuts seeds and protein
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
couple months and pp
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
looks like he just did
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
55 gal with mesh lid and paper towels for humidity reasons
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
21 (multiple sizes but mostly small)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
i don’t have exactly 3-5 shells per crab because no one has room for like almost 100 shells but i do have like 60-70 because most of my crabs are in similar size shells if that makes sense so they still have more than enough
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
almost a year because the tank was new
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?
just decor
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.)?
no
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
i know i should put this under bugs but i’m freaking out because my crab has bugs !!!! they are little white bugs but this crab was u death round since i got him and i didn’t see any when i got him but i barely saw them now so i could have missed it but i have a lot of crabs so give me the best advice for getting rid of them and are these ones harmful for you know
i figured i’d get a fast response in this forum sorry but please help!!!
.
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
There is a lot to address here, but more than likely it is due to the fact that you are using just ecoearth. A lot of times when eco earth is moistened with dechlorinated freshwater INSTEAD of dechlorinated marine saltwater, it can get overrun with springtails. They are harmless.
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
Answered GB for GotButterflies.
crabs_lex wrote: ↑Sun Sep 06, 2020 4:47 pmSince 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?
eco earth and like 10 inches
GB: If using just EE, I recommend mixing with dechlorinated marine saltwater to make it sandcastle consistency. Many people do use just EE. I personally recommend Playsand mixed with EE 5:1 ratio. You then moisten it with dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make it sandcastle consistency.
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?
the tat has been a little cool bc me heater broke and i’m getting a new one but temp 70 (normally 80)
humidity 80 s and 90s
GB: This is important. You need to know what the humidity and the temperature is for your crabs. IMO, minimum heat and humidity should be 80/80. Hermit crabs have modified gills and need the humidity to breathe.
You can buy an Acurite guage from Amazon, digital, runs on batteries, tells you temp and humidity currently as well as low and high for last 24 hours: https://smile.amazon.com/AcuRite-00325- ... 184&sr=8-2
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
not right now but getting a new one ultratherm
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)?
instant ocean and prime for salt and fresh
GB: Both pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge in and safe enough for them to get out of.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
fruits nuts seeds and protein
GB: Hermit crabs can eat a lot of the same things that we eat. Just check to make sure the item is on the safe list. Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
You also want to provide one or more calcium sources at all times. Examples would be Cuttlebone, Organic Eggshell, Oyster Shell, Lobster Exo, Shrimp Exo.
Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid
Safe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92556
Food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
couple months and pp
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
looks like he just did
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
55 gal with mesh lid and paper towels for humidity reasons
GB: Please remove the paper towels so the crab doesn't eat them. With mesh lids you can always cover them with Press-N-Seal, or tape Ziploc bags on them to help keep the humidty in. I personally love glass tops. Please note that with glass tops you cannot set heat lamps on them – it will cause the glass to crack.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
21 (multiple sizes but mostly small)
GB: Really? How large is your tank?
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
i don’t have exactly 3-5 shells per crab because no one has room for like almost 100 shells but i do have like 60-70 because most of my crabs are in similar size shells if that makes sense so they still have more than enough
GB: The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per hermit crab. I personally recommend more. It never hurts to have more There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 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?
almost a year because the tank was new
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?
just decor
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.)?
no
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
i know i should put this under bugs but i’m freaking out because my crab has bugs !!!! they are little white bugs but this crab was u death round since i got him and i didn’t see any when i got him but i barely saw them now so i could have missed it but i have a lot of crabs so give me the best advice for getting rid of them and are these ones harmful for you know
i figured i’d get a fast response in this forum sorry but please help!!!
GB: I already addressed this - I'm pretty sure it is just springtails - due to using moist EcoEarth. They are harmless.
.
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
Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
they are very small little white bugs they are circular and crawling around the crabs
how do i address this
how do i address this
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
If they are small and circular then they are food mites. Here is a link on them: viewtopic.php?f=67&t=92530
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
Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
thank you so much!
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
Yw!
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
GB, she said it's 55gal. I would think that's small for 21 crabs unless they are tiny.
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
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
Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
i believe so too but with my crabs only ab half are up at a time and i have a lot of room on a second level
i’ve never had a unsuccessful molt
and most of them are like the size of a quarter to a half dime
except for 3 mediums
and so far out of all the crabs i only found one more with the mites
i’ve never had a unsuccessful molt
and most of them are like the size of a quarter to a half dime
except for 3 mediums
and so far out of all the crabs i only found one more with the mites
Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
also i looked at the guideline and since i have a lot of room on a second level my tank is not very overcrowded
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
Second levels don't count. Only molting space matters, since that is where the problems happen when overcrowding.
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
I just discovered last night I have food mites in my tank too. I was changing their food, and pulling out the little plastic mats their dishes are on. I noticed little black bugs crawling around. As long as they clean up the crabs' leftover messes they can stay rent free lol.
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
i think they are the other kind of mite
they don’t go after food at all
i have all crabs isolated and am constantly checking to make sure no one else is infested
and the tank guideline say you can up to 50% more crabs with a second level so that’s what i did
i’ve never had any problems with the amount of crabs i have (and ik when they get bigger they won’t all fit in the 55 gal but that a few years away)
also has anyone here felt with these bad mites? i have cleaned out the big tank and put them in a bare iso tank that will be cleaned out daily to get rid of the mites and ive bathed them both twice but i don’t want to over do it and stress them
they don’t go after food at all
i have all crabs isolated and am constantly checking to make sure no one else is infested
and the tank guideline say you can up to 50% more crabs with a second level so that’s what i did
i’ve never had any problems with the amount of crabs i have (and ik when they get bigger they won’t all fit in the 55 gal but that a few years away)
also has anyone here felt with these bad mites? i have cleaned out the big tank and put them in a bare iso tank that will be cleaned out daily to get rid of the mites and ive bathed them both twice but i don’t want to over do it and stress them
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
Are the mites actually attached to the bodies of the crabs? Or are they just hanging around in the substrate?
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Re: fresh molted has bugs!!!!!
they are crawling around the opening of the shell/ inside
they are small round and white as snow
both the crabs that have the mites were originally from a pet store so whatever the ones from the store have i’m guessing they have
they are small round and white as snow
both the crabs that have the mites were originally from a pet store so whatever the ones from the store have i’m guessing they have