Hermie Help

[KyMart]

Just bought the curiosity cube

I hope you and your crabs enjoy it! What color did you get?!

[laurabooz2006]

I rewrapped the lid in Saran Wrap a couple days ago and the heat stayed about the same which was around 78. The food from the hermit crab shack came in and wow was there a great selection!! I put green sand, cuddlebone and dried shrimp in the immediately. Sadly though they both buried themselves days ago and haven’t surfaced for any food or water. There have been no tracks in the sand or disturbed food. I did notice however most of the salt pool was empty and it’s a big heavy pool. I put moss all around the top, could it be sucking up the water and dropping it into the sand?

[laurabooz2006]

I hope you and your crabs enjoy it! What color did you get?!

Turquoise

[KyMart]

I rewrapped the lid in Saran Wrap a couple days ago and the heat stayed about the same which was around 78. The food from the hermit crab shack came in and wow was there a great selection!! I put green sand, cuddlebone and dried shrimp in the immediately. Sadly though they both buried themselves days ago and haven’t surfaced for any food or water. There have been no tracks in the sand or disturbed food. I did notice however most of the salt pool was empty and it’s a big heavy pool. I put moss all around the top, could it be sucking up the water and dropping it into the sand?

I don't think the moss would be dropping it into the sand, but it could be possible. The moss could be sucking up the water, and the water could be evaporating into the air, I would move the moss if I where you just in case; you don't want any flooding!

[KyMart]

I'm also glad about the new food, I hope the little guys love it!

[KyMart]

Turquoise

I love that color cube! I don't have one myself, but I already have like 6 cubes! I swear I'm going to end up with on of each color available!

[laurabooz2006]

I checked the hygrometer and it’s now 80% humidity in there with the lid covered. Is that good or too high?

[KyMart]

I checked the hygrometer and it’s now 80% humidity in there with the lid covered. Is that good or too high?

My humidity is around 75%-81% most of the time, 80% is a good humidity level! So glad to hear that your conditions are improving, I'm so proud of you!

[curlysister]

If the moss is hanging into the water at all, yes it could absolutely wick the water out and into the substrate!
Also, just for future reference, there is no such thing as 'too high' for humidity!

[KyMart]

If the moss is hanging into the water at all, yes it could absolutely wick the water out and into the substrate!
Also, just for future reference, there is no such thing as 'too high' for humidity!

That's what I thought! Mine always seems to be about 81%, which is really good! The moss wicking the water out into the substrate would be so stressful to me omg! My moss always dries out, and I have to keep rewetting it, or else my humidity drops! Every few days I have to do this, and I just wish the moss would stay moist!

[laurabooz2006]

Ok that’s a relief! These little guys are a struggle I hope they make it…. Or even just come up out of the sand again lol. Thanks again for the help!

[KyMart]

Ok that’s a relief! These little guys are a struggle I hope they make it…. Or even just come up out of the sand again lol. Thanks again for the help!

You're very welcome, I'm rooting for these little guys!

[laurabooz2006]

Ok so update they both came up from the sand and one must have molted because I found some parts in the substrate. That being said the one went back under a couple days ago and today we found his empty shell on the surface. We got really excited to see what she’ll ge chose to take its place but we’re quickly shot down with the realization that he hadn’t taken any of the shells. Im assuming it’s not a good sign that he’s abandoned his shell and is now running around naked under the sand? From what I’ve read they even molt in their shell so I get the feeling this isn’t great. Should I be doing anything?

[curlysister]

The vast majority of the time when people think a crab is underground without a shell, they have actually taken a different shell and gone underground in it. That said, if a crab is underground naked, it will not survive.
There isn't a right or wrong answer, but if you are going to dig him up, do it asap - if he does in fact have a shell, hopefully he won't have started molting again yet, if he was planning a back to back molt. Be prepared to isolate him, in case he is molting or if he is naked.

[laurabooz2006]

The only reason I knew he was absolutely naked underneath there is because we only had three other shelves in there, and all three of those shelves are still empty. I decided to dig him up because the other hermit crab was acting weird about not wanting to be in the substrate And was exclusively hanging on the trellis. I found a couple of bits and pieces of a hermit crab underneath there so the only thing I can assume is that the other hermit crab ate him while he was under there. I’m almost prone to believe that that same hermit crab, who ate him, also stole his shell when he was finished , because that hermit crab, it looks a bit different. So I removed all of the substrate and clean the tank with vinegar solution. I went to Petsmart and I got her another hermit crab because she would be heartbroken if she came home to him being gone. The other hermit crab in that tank the surviving one, immediately got on the new ones back should I be worried about that?