Hello I'm well Semi new crab owner had one for bout 4 months then bought 2 small ones

[Naebug]

I recently purchased 2 small hermit crabs and I have had them for about 3 months and all of a sudden the one small one just died does this mean my other 2 will they are in the same 10 gallon tank I pay slot of attention. To them and make sure the temperature is exactly 78 to 79 and the humidity is never been below 79 to 85% what am I doing wrong please help om devastated I have salt water that I mix from reef salt and tap water I condition and fresh food there has to be something I don't want to lose my older one he's medium size and the small one thank you

[curlysister]

Had he molted in your care yet?
Where did you get him from (ie- what were the conditions prior to coming into your care)?
What do you have for substrate and how deep?

[Jaydick484]

Are you sure it was dead? I didn't know about the whole limp thing until I read about it on another page here.

[Naebug]

Well her pinchers were falling off and there was a funny smell and I tried to hold her in my hand and her body just come out of the shell I was in awww I know the other little crab that came with it would rock her I separated him and she went to a bigger shell I think she might of either was scared or just cold I don't know I keep it nice and warm and watch them all day and night they are in my bedroom I noticed she wasn't really active when I gave them their salt bath the day B4 I just don't know now I'm afraid to take my eyes off the other 2 hermie the biggest one he stays in his coconut but does come out at night he is a loner likes to be left alone he's molted and all I was worried bout him at 1st I got him from a pet store only one they had first crab I ever owned I think Ihes been here 6 months now the other ones just a few

[Naebug]

Well her pinchers were falling off and there was a funny smell and I tried to hold her in my hand and her body just come out of the shell I was in awww I know the other little crab that came with it would rock her I separated him and she went to a bigger shell I think she might of either was scared or just cold I don't know I keep it nice and warm and watch them all day and night they are in my bedroom I noticed she wasn't really active when I gave them their salt bath the day B4 I just don't know now I'm afraid to take my eyes off the other 2 hermie the biggest one he stays in his coconut but does come out at night he is a loner likes to be left alone he's molted and all I was worried bout him at 1st I got him from a pet store only one they had first crab I ever owned I think Ihes been here 6 months now the other ones just a few

[curlysister]

Yes, it does sound like he had passed away.
Crabs go through so much before we get them, and are not kept in good conditions. They often cannot overcome what they have been through, and are susceptible to what is deemed 'post purchase syndrome' until at least their first molt with us.
Please do not bathe your crabs. You should have a fresh water and a salt water pool, and they will go in and take what water they need. Be sure to read the 'water' care sheet, it explains what type of dechlorinator and marine salt you need.

[Naebug]

Hello and thankyou for the post and yes I went on crab central before hand thanks so much for the info all my crabbies are thriving thanks to all the info on here and online I had them in their PPS tank and recently moved them to their forever home it's a 75 gallon I would like to put some leaves in it I have large amounts of trees here I live in West Virginia on a beautiful farm so I'm surrounded by nature can u give me some ideas on which are safe I have oak maple and burning bushes and birch and even poplar and a beach tree which leaves and branches and o grape vines the wild ones that grow in trees of course thatnkyou

[curlysister]

Have you looked at our 'safe foods' list? It has trees on it too.
I give mine leaves from my yard, as I know they aren't treated with any chemicals or pesticides. Oak, maple, poplar, grape, squash (zucchini, pumpkin, butternut), lilac, raspberry, strawberry, clover, etc. I also dry leaves in summer to feed in winter.