My hermit crab hasn’t moved in two days. I don’t know if he is okay or dead and I’m scared

[HermitCrabDad]

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? Hermit crab sand over 2 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? Yes 79 Degrees F and 88 humidy


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? two Reptile under tank heating pads and a heat lamp

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)? freshwater I use zoo med drinking water as well as salt water with open ocean salt and tap water conditioner for the salt water API brand


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Fresh fruits, vegetables and meats such as crab meat and occasionally a small piece of hotdog. I also give them carrots, cashews, almost and river shrimp as well as cocunut and cutter bone


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? A few months the other crab I got from the person passed away I still don’t know why. I’m afraid he might die too. Not sure what he is I think a purple pincher


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? yes. I think three months ago.


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? I’m not sure the size but I think it’s a 30. Here are the dimensions 23½x17½x13 inch.


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 and about it the size of a golf ball. They are a little bigger than a golf ball

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


11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Nope!

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? every week and by using a scooper that sifts through the sand. I then replace the sand with new sand. I throw away any old food and waste


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? yes but not in the water dish.


14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? no


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.)?
I cleaned their tank yesterday and fed them some crab meat as well a carrot and their normal diet powder.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I on’t know what happened but he was sitting in front of the food dish. I moved him out of his hole while I was cleaning it the day before. I think it might’ve done something. I made a new hole and put him in it hoping it will help. He hasn’t moved and his claw was limp. I’m super afraid I did something and I’ll never forgive myself.

[Altaccforhermitsssss]

The sand is too shallow, your crabbie cant properly molt, but unless he stinks really bad he may be molting or just sleeping, mine freeze from time to time as well. Im not the most experienced though, so if anyone else can add more info it may help more

[HermitCrabDad]

Thank you! I will add more sand into the enclosure. Sorry about the panicking I just was super afraid.

[GotButterflies]

I responded in bold to help you.

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? Hermit crab sand over 2 inches

GB: Substrate, (playsand mixed with eco earth 5:1 ratio), should be 6 inches or 3 times the height of your largest crab (whichever is deeper). If you have Es substrate should be at least 10-12”. Substrate should be mixed with dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make the substrate sandcastle consistency. I personally mix mine with dechlorinated marine saltwater.

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? Yes 79 Degrees F and 88 humidy

GB: What kind of gauge do you have? IMO temps for these guys should be 80 degrees. 79 is okay at night.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? two Reptile under tank heating pads and a heat lamp

GB: No heat lamp. Remove it. Heating pads should be on back of tank, and or sides.

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)? freshwater I use zoo med drinking water as well as salt water with open ocean salt and tap water conditioner for the salt water API brand

GB: Unfortunately most products marketed for hermit crabs are not safe. (Bottled hermit crab saltwater and Zoomed hermit crab saltwater are not sufficient products for them). A lot of us use a product called Instant Ocean which is what aquarium hobbyists use to make saltwater aquariums. It has the essential trace elements that hermit crabs need. You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, and chloramine as well as neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals. A lot of us use a product called Prime. As far as salt, you need marine salt, to mimic the ocean. You have to use the dechlorinator for both freshwater and marine saltwater. Both pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge in and safe enough for them to get out of.
Double dish water pools:
viewtopic.php?f=127&t=113691


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Fresh fruits, vegetables and meats such as crab meat and occasionally a small piece of hotdog. I also give them carrots, cashews, almost and river shrimp as well as cocunut and cutter bone

GB: Hermit crabs can eat a lot of the same things that we eat. Just check to make sure the item is on the safe list. Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
You also want to provide one or more calcium sources at all times. Examples would be Cuttlebone, Organic Eggshell, Oyster Shell, Lobster Exo, Shrimp Exo.
Make sure you cover all aspects of food pyramid
Safe food list:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Unsafe food list:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92556
Food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? A few months the other crab I got from the person passed away I still don’t know why. I’m afraid he might die too. Not sure what he is I think a purple pincher


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? yes. I think three months ago.


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? I’m not sure the size but I think it’s a 30. Here are the dimensions 23½x17½x13 inch.


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 and about it the size of a golf ball. They are a little bigger than a golf ball

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

GB: The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per hermit crab. I personally recommend more. It never hurts to have more There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552


11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Nope!

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? every week and by using a scooper that sifts through the sand. I then replace the sand with new sand. I throw away any old food and waste

GB: It is not necessary to replace sand. Just scoop poop. They look like brown frowns.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? yes but not in the water dish.


14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? no


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.)?
I cleaned their tank yesterday and fed them some crab meat as well a carrot and their normal diet powder.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I on’t know what happened but he was sitting in front of the food dish. I moved him out of his hole while I was cleaning it the day before. I think it might’ve done something. I made a new hole and put him in it hoping it will help. He hasn’t moved and his claw was limp. I’m super afraid I did something and I’ll never forgive myself.

GB: Try to fix recommendations. don't handle. Make sure you cover all aspects of the food pyramid. Don't remove them from holes, never dig or rebury.