Noticably smaller crab

[3littleherms]

I have one crab that is very small compared to my others. I haven't seen any signs of him shedding in a really long time and he's been in the same shell for maybe 5 months. Is there something wrong with him? He acts normal.

[KyMart]

I have one crab that is very small compared to my others. I haven't seen any signs of him shedding in a really long time and he's been in the same shell for maybe 5 months. Is there something wrong with him? He acts normal.

I would say he's fine, some crabs just settle on shells they like and stay with them until they physically can't anymore (like they wear holes in them!), as some crabs grow slower then others! I've had 2/3 of my crabs for about 3 months, and those two have molted with me, one has grown and is now bigger, the other stated about the same size! He used to be a little bigger then her, but now he's a LOT bigger! It's crazy how much it depends on the crab, they all have different rates of growth!

[curlysister]

What kind and how deep is your substrate? When was the last time he disappeared underground for any length of time?

[3littleherms]

I think it's about 3 inches deep? It's sand mixed with coconut fiber. He buried himself resently. Maybe a month ago.

[KyMart]

I think it's about 3 inches deep? It's sand mixed with coconut fiber. He buried himself resently. Maybe a month ago.

Three inches of substrate is not enough for a crab to safely molt with others in the tank, six inches of substrate or 2x your largest crab (whichever is bigger) is the recommended amount of substrate to have in your tank by the HCA. You can go to a hardware store and get a bag of playsand for children's sand boxes, they usually sell it for $5 per 50 lbs, and that should be more then enough for your crabs tank.

[curlysister]

If he buried himself, and he is small, he may not have had to be down for long in order to have molted. You really shouldn't see them 'shed', they will do that underground and stay down until they eat their exoskeleton. If your crab is really tiny, three inches might be three times as deep as he is, but if he doesn't feel that he will be safe underground (ie- there is enough sub that another crab won't find him while he is underground) he might be putting off molting. Adding some substrate, and ensuring it is moistened so it is 'sand castle' consistency, is a good idea.

[KyMart]

If he buried himself, and he is small, he may not have had to be down for long in order to have molted. You really shouldn't see them 'shed', they will do that underground and stay down until they eat their exoskeleton. If your crab is really tiny, three inches might be three times as deep as he is, but if he doesn't feel that he will be safe underground (ie- there is enough sub that another crab won't find him while he is underground) he might be putting off molting. Adding some substrate, and ensuring it is moistened so it is 'sand castle' consistency, is a good idea.

I agree with what CurlySister said! Adding 6 inches of substrate wouldn't be a bad thing as long as all crabs are above ground, who knows, maybe he will tunnel down and molt immediately!

[3littleherms]

Mmmm, I've been thinking of moving them into one of the 40 gal tanks I have. The one there in right now is to small for 6 in and it would only leave maybe 2 or 3 inches at the top. I've just been needing to find a place to put it. Are crabs sensitive to how much space they have or do they not care?

[KyMart]

Mmmm, I've been thinking of moving them into one of the 40 gal tanks I have. The one there in right now is to small for 6 in and it would only leave maybe 2 or 3 inches at the top. I've just been needing to find a place to put it. Are crabs sensitive to how much space they have or do they not care?

Space matters, but so does the amount of substrate! Hermit Crabs are tree crabs, so they prefer to have space to borrow in the substrate, places to hide on top of the substrate, and places to climb above the substrate! I would recommend a tank with all three, it will be most beneficial to your crabs long term, and make them feel more secure and enriched!

[3littleherms]

Right now they have a coconut hide and a coconut fiber climbing mat. There are also some faux Fishtank plants. Thru also have both fresh water and salt water bowls that they can get in and out of. And a small wheel.

[KyMart]

Right now they have a coconut hide and a coconut fiber climbing mat. There are also some faux Fishtank plants. Thru also have both fresh water and salt water bowls that they can get in and out of. And a small wheel.

Sounds good! Have you thought about a boxwood climbing wall? I have the 9x19 lavender boxwood climbing wall and 10x10 purple boxwood climbing wall which are listed below, but I also included links to the regular boxwood climbing wall, and the difference sizes of each!

9x9 Regular Boxwood:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/781987811/ ... eenery-mat

9x19 Regular Boxwood:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1360927114 ... -9x19-mild

9x9 Lavender Boxwood:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1251065510 ... -9x9-grass

9x19 Lavender Boxwood:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1265070683 ... 9x19-grass

20x20 Lavender Boxwood:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1519311497 ... 0x20-grass

10x10 Purple Boxwood:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1016873466 ... mbing-wall

[KyMart]

Please keep in mind that you can cut boxwood to make it for spaced perfectly!

[3littleherms]

Thank you! I'm figuring out the logistics of getting the 40 gal into my room, but any tips on how to keep moisture in since it had no top? I can diy myself a lid just fine but something temporary might be good.

[curlysister]

Thank you! I'm figuring out the logistics of getting the 40 gal into my room, but any tips on how to keep moisture in since it had no top? I can diy myself a lid just fine but something temporary might be good.

Plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) taped over the top works really well. It's all I used in my first two tanks!

[KyMart]

Thank you! I'm figuring out the logistics of getting the 40 gal into my room, but any tips on how to keep moisture in since it had no top? I can diy myself a lid just fine but something temporary might be good.

Getting bigger tanks into your room, especially when you have a small room like me, can be so frustrating to figure out! As Curly said, saran wrap is a great option! Just so you know, you can buy 50 lbs of playsand at most hardware store for $5 a bag, I have a 40 gallon breeder, and I used 100 lbs of playsand and 3 bricks of EE in my tank, so I think 100 lbs of playsand would work great for your tank, and you would probably have some extra!