Crab Stuck in Shell?

[sheilahunt80]

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, 6-8 in 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?
80 and 80

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Heating pads and day and night bulbs

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)?
Both fresh and salt

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Food is changed every 2 days. Lots of fresh fruit like bananas, blueberry’s, etc. Different Foods that I bought from crab suppliers on Etsy.

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

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?
20 gallon tank, mesh lid with hole for the humidity tubing

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3 crabs. 2 medium I’ve had for over a year and this new one I bought 2 days ago.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
At least 12-15

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Weekly, clean any poop, spray antimicrobial, fluff the tank and rearrange it (crabs seem to find it fun and interesting)

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 the 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.

Purchased a very large crab from pets mart 2 days ago. I’m really worried about it. It can’t retreat into its shell. The only thing it can do is pull its eyes in when it’s scared. I haven’t seen it move since we’ve had it. It hasn’t eaten, hasn’t done anything. I’m scared he wasn’t given any options for bigger shells at petsmart (and didn’t see any bigger ones there. I even put him amongst a bunch of shells that are perfect size for him and nothing. Hasn’t moved. I’m so worried he’s going to die in his shell Is there anything I can do or should I just leave him alone? He’s breaking my heart to see him. I really hope he’s not sick and doesn’t make my other crabs sick. I would be devestated.
.

[curlysister]

It is doubtful that he is 'sick' with something that he could pass to other crabs. Crabs go through so much before we get them, that they are usually stressed and sometimes can not recover. Large crabs have a particularly hard time. Your tank conditions look really good, so if he does not survive, it isn't anything you did or didn't do - it is all he went through before you got him. What type of shell is he in now? What type have you offered? If he got in the shell, he can get out, he's not stuck. You could try giving him some high energy food like honey to see if it perks him up.