Post purchase syndrome? URGENT

[Silas0526_]

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?
Cocofiber


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?
Humitity has been low (50-70) temp is roughly 81

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? uth on side and back


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)?
Distiled water, flukers saltwater

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Flukers medly treat for turtles, replaced 3 times a week

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About a month purple pincher

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

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 tank

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

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
5-10

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
No

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?
A new crab which may be sick

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.
A fairly new crab has a slight dead fish smell but flinches and does not fall out of his shell. He may have molted but probably not. Post purchase syndrome

[Silas0526_]

Not for sure PPS maybe surface molt?

[Silas0526_]

Not for sure PPS maybe surface molt?

[aussieJJDude]

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

How deep is it? Ideally you want the substrate to be deep enough to moult, 3x the height of your tallest crab. Usually for smaller crabs, works out to around 6 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?
Humitity has been low (50-70) temp is roughly 81

Humidity is very low. Ideally looking at consistent levels above 70%, ideally above 75%. Temp is fine.

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)?
Distiled water, flukers saltwater

Distilled water is fine, but the flukers saltwater is best and succinctly described as garbage. (Fancy table salt at best). Ideally you want salt made for saltwater/reef fish, many suggest instant ocean as its readily available and relatively cheap.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Flukers medly treat for turtles, replaced 3 times a week

Look at the food guide(s) if you haven't already. Offering just this medley is going to cause deficiencies in their diet long-term, but many warn against offering heavily processed foods all the time. The good thing is the crabs basically eat what we eat, so any table scraps is a good starting point for the crabs to ensure they get a balanced diet.

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 tank

If the tank has no solid lid, it may be the problem of the low humidity. A solid lid would be a good decision, and help ensure the crabs don't escape.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
A fairly new crab has a slight dead fish smell but flinches and does not fall out of his shell. He may have molted but probably not. Post purchase syndrome

Is the fish smell coming from the crab, or the tank? If from the crab, it could be a sign its overheated. Otherwise, if from the tank, it may be a piece of food that has been dragged off and starting to rot. Did the crab come out of its exo, or any hollow pieces of the body within the tank to suggest a moult?

[Silas0526_]

He does not come out of shell but is still alive. The smell comes from the crab. I forgot to mention, he also lost his large pincher. 12 hours after the fact, the smell did not worsen.

[Silas0526_]

He also does not move.

[Silas0526_]

Their substrate could be deeper...

[Silas0526_]

Their substrate could be deeper...

[Silas0526_]

Since his claw broke off, he will need an alternative diet. Any suggestions of soft or very small food other than their calcium powder?

[Silas0526_]

Lid has large cover that covers most of the lid. He hangs out around the heater, which may be the problem for overheating. The medly treat has 3 different things in it but I will try an alternative diet. Substrate is about 2.5 inches so i think it has room for improvement. I will probably try a different type of salt water, too.

[Jlmills525]

Here's the safe food list https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 25&t=92557

quick fix can be eggs, either raw or hard boiled (no salt or spices) the shells can be given for extra calcium also.
natural peanut butter, honey

[Silas0526_]

[Silas0526_]

[Silas0526_]

It is a risk either way. He is currently under the top of a bottle. Should i iso him or raise the humidity, or is it a surface molt and it is because the substrate ( i measured, was 2.5 inches deep) is very shallow? VERY URGENT

[Silas0526_]

How deep is it? Ideally you want the substrate to be deep enough to moult, 3x the height of your tallest crab. Usually for smaller crabs, works out to around 6 inches.


Humidity is very low. Ideally looking at consistent levels above 70%, ideally above 75%. Temp is fine.


Distilled water is fine, but the flukers saltwater is best and succinctly described as garbage. (Fancy table salt at best). Ideally you want salt made for saltwater/reef fish, many suggest instant ocean as its readily available and relatively cheap.


Look at the food guide(s) if you haven't already. Offering just this medley is going to cause deficiencies in their diet long-term, but many warn against offering heavily processed foods all the time. The good thing is the crabs basically eat what we eat, so any table scraps is a good starting point for the crabs to ensure they get a balanced diet.


If the tank has no solid lid, it may be the problem of the low humidity. A solid lid would be a good decision, and help ensure the crabs don't escape.



Is the fish smell coming from the crab, or the tank? If from the crab, it could be a sign its overheated. Otherwise, if from the tank, it may be a piece of food that has been dragged off and starting to rot. Did the crab come out of its exo, or any hollow pieces of the body within the tank to suggest a moult?

The info you have requested, below