My Hermit Crab Has Lost 4 of its Legs

[rayxwonderland]

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

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, they are on the left of where my heat mat is, temp is between 70 and 80, humidity is 70 and 80 (but more or less around 75)

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

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, fresh is bottled and same with salt

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
replaced every two days or so, feed mealworms, fruits, veggies, fish food, calcium, etc.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
i got my first crab a couple weeks ago (he is fine), the other one i just recently ordered, and when i took him out he was active but when he moved around four of his legs cam off (both purple pinchers)

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
no

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

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 ( first is medium size ish, second one is very small, just got him tho so he's never really been in it

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

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
daily water and food changes, clean tank whenever needed (wipe down, change sub if needed, etc)

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, just switched them from a bin to a glass tank, then bought this new crab

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.

just got new crab from mail, took him out, he seemed fin, active and perfect, then 4 of his limbs came off, plz help, should i freeze him or try to nurse him? Should i put him in a separate tank? If i were to nurse him how would i do so? How long would it take to get all his legs back?

.

[jonathon1989]

This is most likely Post Purchase Syndrome. And I can gues that the mail travel didnt help. You need to put the crab into an ISO Tank and place it under a hideout, making sure it is subermerged into darkness so it can molt and regenerate limbs. Once the crab has molted it will be out of danger. If it loses its front pinches you will have to feed it by hand using a cuetip. The HCA has information on PPS and it is full of valuable information. I highly sugesst you read it. http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92531


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[Hollym2247]

How is the crab doing? I had a crab drop all but three limbs after a disturbed molt. I put him in isolation for about 9 months (he was a big guy, took a while to molt) and fed him honey and bee pollen in addition to regular foods. After his next molt, he has all his legs, albeit different sizes. Now he’s totally normal.


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