New Hermit Crabs

[Allie0876]

Hello! I bought my son 2 hermit crabs from PetSmart almost 2 weeks ago. The crabs buried themselves in the substrate within a day, but there were signs of movement at night. The last week though, I see no evidence of movement in the tank at all. How long do I let them be until I worry? Could they both be molting?

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

The substrate is a mix of play sand and coconut fiber. It's currently 3 inches deep. I want to make it deeper, but I am waiting for the hermit crabs to come out first.

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. It's located inside the top corner of the tank. Humidity could be a little high? It usually reads 90-95. If I open the lid, the humidity gets too low. I'm not sure of the solve for high humidity. Temp sits between 75 and 80.

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

Yes, we have a heat pad (I can't remember the exact name.) It's attached to the right side of the tank window above the substrate. It's on the outside of the tank.

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)?

There are both types in the tank.
I use distilled fresh water and Fluker's soaking salt directions to make a salt water mix with the distilled water.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I currently have been combining fresh cut fruits and veggies with a little commercial food. It's replaced daily.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 2 crabs for 2 weeks. I am unsure of the species.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Unsure if they are currently molting.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon glass tank with a glass lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2. One is slightly larger than the other. They both seem relatively small. I am unsure what constitutes small v large though.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I currently have 3 extra shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned it yet since the crabs could be molting.

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?
No

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.)?

Not yet! We haven't seen the crabs sadly.


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
We haven't seen either crab for 2 weeks. The first week we could tell the crabs or at least one of them was moving a little at night. The last week, I see 0 evidence they have moved around at all. The sand is undistrubed. The food and water show no signs a crab ate or entered the dish. The first week, we would see the sand look different or see the food slightly moved. Nothing for many days. I'm a bit worried about them but don't want to bother them if they are perhaps molting. Should I just assume they are fine? Do a welfare check? I'm just looking for tips on what to do. Thank you!

[jonathon1989]

Hello! I bought my son 2 hermit crabs from PetSmart almost 2 weeks ago. The crabs buried themselves in the substrate within a day, but there were signs of movement at night. The last week though, I see no evidence of movement in the tank at all. How long do I let them be until I worry? Could they both be molting?

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

The substrate is a mix of play sand and coconut fiber. It's currently 3 inches deep. I want to make it deeper, but I am waiting for the hermit crabs to come out first.

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. It's located inside the top corner of the tank. Humidity could be a little high? It usually reads 90-95. If I open the lid, the humidity gets too low. I'm not sure of the solve for high humidity. Temp sits between 75 and 80.

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

Yes, we have a heat pad (I can't remember the exact name.) It's attached to the right side of the tank window above the substrate. It's on the outside of the tank.

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)?

There are both types in the tank.
I use distilled fresh water and Fluker's soaking salt directions to make a salt water mix with the distilled water.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I currently have been combining fresh cut fruits and veggies with a little commercial food. It's replaced daily.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 2 crabs for 2 weeks. I am unsure of the species.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Unsure if they are currently molting.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon glass tank with a glass lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2. One is slightly larger than the other. They both seem relatively small. I am unsure what constitutes small v large though.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I currently have 3 extra shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned it yet since the crabs could be molting.

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?
No

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.)?

Not yet! We haven't seen the crabs sadly.


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
We haven't seen either crab for 2 weeks. The first week we could tell the crabs or at least one of them was moving a little at night. The last week, I see 0 evidence they have moved around at all. The sand is undistrubed. The food and water show no signs a crab ate or entered the dish. The first week, we would see the sand look different or see the food slightly moved. Nothing for many days. I'm a bit worried about them but don't want to bother them if they are perhaps molting. Should I just assume they are fine? Do a welfare check? I'm just looking for tips on what to do. Thank you!

Welcome to The Hermit Crab Association. Land Hermit Crabs can molt for months at a time. Ive had hermit crabs molt for two months. Its best to leave them alone and make food and water available to them for when they resurface. In order to molt, hermit crabs need darkness to produce a momting hormone. If disturbed they will produce an anti molting hormone that will build up in their body and kill them. Hope this helps. Jonathon


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[Pumpkincrab]

Welcome to the HCA!
Some pointers:
We recommend using Prime Dechlorinator for the fresh water and Instant Ocean salt for the salt water.
3-5 extra shells per crab!
Crabs have a very wide diet! Sadly, "hermit crab pellets" have harmful preservatives and additives in them that aren't safe for crabs, nor meet their full nutritional needs. A crab's diet should include: Protein, calcium, fruits, veggies, fats, leaf/plant litter, chitins. All of these contribute to healthy molts and better yet, no fights! (Not feeding all they need can lead to cannibalism, sadly, in some cases) You can make your own foods, but I recommend buying from sites like Etsy!

Again, welcome, and nice to meet you! <3

[keeliaa]

your crab friends are most likely purple punchers considering you got them at petsmart. distilled water doesn’t contain the minerals that the crabs need. most people use tap water, and then a dechlorinator. a lot of us use the brand prime. and i am not sure if that salt is safe either (most products marketed for hermit crabs are actually dangerous!) but instant ocean is what basically all of us use. whatever you use it needs to be marine grade not for aquariums.


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[Allie0876]

Thank you for the tips! I have prime and another dechlorinator for our fish, so I will start using that for the water. I'll pick up instant ocean too! I'll add more shells this week. Hopefully we see them in a few weeks! I'll let them be