Surface Molt? Death? Not sure

[svandoren]

Hello!

I am a new crab owner (purchased my two crabbies on 9/25/2015). My crabs are our class pets in kindergarten and have been pretty still during the day but there are obvious signs of activity when I get there the next morning (they're in different spots, holes have been dug, etc.). One of them, Junior, has always been more shy and still. Last Wednesday, he switched to a new shell from his old one. The following day, he had switched back. Now he is sitting on top of the substrate perfectly still and was limp when I lifted him a couple centimeters. His big claws. Face, and front walking legs are all out of his shell like he had been sitting or walking. I haven't noticed a smell but he's only been like this since pretty recently (he was fine yesterday but was like this when I got to work at 7 am or so, and its now 1:10). Is he molting on the surface? Is he dead? What should I do for him??

[Laurie LeAnn]

Is he not moving at all when you pick him up? Most crabs when they die fall out of their shell and smell like dead fish. If he surface molts he will leave his shell. Is your tank covered with a lid, a regular fish tAnk lid , glass lid, plexiglass? Have heat mat, humidity correct..depth of the substrate ok..if you just got him he could be suffering from post purchase stress..theyneed to have that month of being in a quiet hands off area..Crabs are not very active during the day.

[svandoren]

I didn't lift him up enough to find out if he would fall out of his shell or not. He's still in the same spot. His antenna aren't even moving. I've isolated him as best as I can with a plastic bottle.

The tank had a mesh lid that I've covered in saran wrap. Humidity is somewhere between 70-80 degrees as is temperature (there is a heating pad mounted on the side of the tank). The other one seems fine.

[Laurie LeAnn]

Could be post stress.. nothing you can do really. Really needs to be in a tank by himself so if he lives he can get to food and water.Try feeding your crabs organic peanut butter, cuttle bone ( in bird section) boiled eggs,boiled chicken, plain air popped pop corn, raw honey..organic baby foods are good to. Skip the commercial crab foods, maple leaves that are dried out fallen off the tree and bug free. I rinse off pat dry and throw in.. crabs have them gone fast! Nuts w out salt are good I grate mine, my crabs love walnuts and peanuts..these will boost your crabs energy..pretty much anything you eat they eat just no seasoning.. just check the food list. Apple's berries YUMMY..No peels. Good luck w your crab..

[soilentgringa]

Hi. Please fill out these questions so we can help you address any areas of concern.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102

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[svandoren]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
A combo of sand and coconut fiber. Probably 4 inches 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?
Yes. Mounted at the top center of the back wall. It says 72 degrees with 75% humidity

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes. 10 gallon tank under tank heater mounted on the right side of the glass.

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. Use zoomed brand water conditioner and salt conditioner

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Currently using uo the supply of commerçial food given with the starter kit (I got a grant to get these for my class and didn't get to be choosy as to what it included). Supplemented with leftover fresh fruit from kids' breakfasts and lunches, boiled egg shells. Trying peanut butter today. Food is replaced daily

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Purple pincer, since 9/25

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?
10 gallon glass tank. Mesh lid covered in saran wrap as I don't yet have the finances for a glass lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 medium crabs

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

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not that I know of.

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Sift out waste and dirt as noticed.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
One sponge. Hasn't been cleaned as I got it less than a week ago.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Mopani wood,sponge, new deeper dish for salt water

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.)?
They are in a kindergarten classroom so things can get a bit noisy.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Junior has been sitting in the exact same spot for 24 hours. I lifted him yesterday and he seemed limp and didn't react. I put him down as soon as I noticed this.

[svandoren]

Update. Brought them home today to keep them away from the stress of the classroom. Junior fell out of his shell when moved and stunk. Pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
RIP Junior

[JulesRolyCrab]

I am so sorry for your loss, Svandoren, you did your best to help your crab.


There are a few areas of concern, to prevent any losses in future. When you are ready, try to provide some changes to ensure your other crab can live a long healthy life.

If you can raise the substrate level to 6 inches, it could promote molting and keep the crabs healthy.

You could try to insulate your heating mat to bring the heat up to the best range. Good humidity.

The water that is good for the crabs should be dechlorinated w/ a dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime. A salt that keeps the crabs healthy is Instant Ocean salt mix.

You should try to not use commercial crab food, it can harm the crabs. Great job with the fresh fruits and egg, stick with that and other food from this list:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
and for nutrition:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92554

Also, keep many of different sizes in the tank, non-painted. You can get a large bag of turbo shells (preferred by PPs) at Joann's, for a cheap price. Boil before use.

I would recommend removing the sponge, it can hose harmful bacteria.

Once you are ready with the tank, you should try getting your crab a friend. I am very sorry that you lost a crab, but you can ensure your other crab lives a long time and is happy. I hope I do not come across as being insensitive, and it is not my intention to do so. I hope everything works out!

[svandoren]

Not at all insensitive. In fact, I really appreciate the tips. One question: how would you suggest I insulate the heater??

[megmaholm]

Not at all insensitive. In fact, I really appreciate the tips. One question: how would you suggest I insulate the heater??

First you need to make sure your brand of heater can be safely insulated. If it's safe to do so, the way I do it is tape aluminum foil over it and then tape Styrofoam on top of that.

[JulesRolyCrab]

Not at all insensitive. In fact, I really appreciate the tips. One question: how would you suggest I insulate the heater??

And I am currently insulating by taping aluminum foil flat over the heater, but due the the approaching winter in a fairly cold state, it doesn't cut it. I am going to wrap some cardboard in aluminum and tape it over the aluinum foil currently there. But insulation of any form helps, and depending on where you live should be enough.

[soilentgringa]

Not at all insensitive. In fact, I really appreciate the tips. One question: how would you suggest I insulate the heater??

If you do insulate, make sure it one of the brands that are able to be covered. Foil, reflectix from Home Depot, even the car windshield shades can all be used as insulating material.



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