Skeet

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
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mrsboobae2013
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Skeet

Post by mrsboobae2013 » Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:50 pm

I have a 6 hermit crabs my favorite name is skeet. I have yet to hold her or any of them. I got them because they was being thrown away. So my bf brought them home, everyone else stays buried. Skeet is always up out and about my brother in law picks her up for me im just scared of being pinched I guess. She is a tan color which confuses me is she a pp. she came in a little critter cage with another one named pete haven't checked dont know the gender yet pete stays in his shell. Also tan what is tan hermit crabs? but buried a couple weeks ago when i had coco husk when I got the new tank and put eco earth i was worried so my brother inlaw dug him up and put him in the new tank . since pete explored then buried in the eco earth. My Boyfriend boss called him back to get another crab named crank very small but dont know if it's a boy or girl crank is feisty and a pincher since put in the new tank i haven't seen crank but I know its a pp. Then his boss called again to pick up 2 more hermit crabs named molly and Ex dont know the gender but Molly is the biggest not jumbo or anything just bigger then my other ones she got here in a fancy shell but swapped out for a green turbo shell i think she had nails so i assume molly came up from a molt recently she is a pp she was out for a while but buried too from the time ex got in the tank automatically buried haven't seen ex since but also a pp. I went to petsmart to get a tank heater and seen the horrible condition the crabs was in i felt bad there was one i mean the smallest hermit i have ever seen in a big shell soon as the store clerk pick it up it shot in from research you should never buy a crab you can't see. Plus i didn't have any money to purchase a new shells for the lil guy so i seen another lil one bigger then the tiny guy who came out for me I named it juice dont know the gender either but color wise like a brown reddish since i put him in the tank has buried too. I posted a picture of skeet my big question is what type of hermit crabs are they and why skeet stays above ground and why the others stays under
I have a thermometer that reads 75-80 i mist the tank every other day. They are in a 20 gallon tank. Fresh water sea shell with sponge and a saltwater sea shell two different hermit crab food shrimp and pellets in different sea shells a heater something to hide in and rocks and pebbles and plants to hide Image

Still learning about them but want to understand there behavior i do have to move them and redo my setup to make it better

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soilentgringa
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Re: Skeet

Post by soilentgringa » Sun Jul 19, 2015 2:08 pm

Hi! The very best thing you can do for them when you first get them is leave them alone. They aren't a pet that you handle often, as they view us as predators who are coming to eat them. If you don't mind filling this out, we can help address areas of concern.

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soilentgringa
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Re: Skeet

Post by soilentgringa » Sun Jul 19, 2015 2:11 pm

Oh and also! They don't always dig down immediately, almost always but I had a crab for over 8 months that didn't.

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mrsboobae2013
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Re: Skeet

Post by mrsboobae2013 » Sun Jul 19, 2015 3:42 pm

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

Eco earth deep enough i cant find my biggest crab

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?

I have a thermometer which reads between 75-80 varies. No humidity gauge yet it place on the back of the tank

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

I have a aquarium heating pad by all living things also a lamp just for light

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)?

I buy bottle salt water for hermit crabs and fresh nursery water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

They have hermit pellet food
And shrimp for hermit crabs
The shrimp stays in one day whatever uneaten goes in the trash the pellet food every two days

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

I have had skeet and pete for a month. I have no idea they are both tan

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

Not that i know of haven't experienced that yet

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 20 gallon tank for a lid had to make my own so screen card board on edges half top with seran wrap to hold heat house is constantly cold due to summer

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

6 crabs in tank three the small of quarter two teeny size of a dime one a lil bigger then a quarter

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

5 at the moment

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

No not at all

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Just got tank and set it up haven't cleaned it yet except for excess food

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

One tiny i wash it with hot water

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

New crab

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.)

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

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Kleinerhejhog
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Re: Skeet

Post by Kleinerhejhog » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:44 pm

Hi, there, and thanks for joining the group!

I know some others will chime in, but I wanted to throw a couple things out there for you to get started on.

You want your substrate to be six inches deep minimum, deeper is always better. Crabs love to dig, and like to go deep when they molt. You can either stick with the eco earth, or add in some regular playsand.

You want to add a hygrometer as soon a possible. It is critical for crabs to have a minimum of 75% humidity; less can damage their gills. Higher is also fine, just watch for mold it you keep it super high.

Bottled salt water for crabs, in addition to being expensive, really isn't all that great for them. It's not harmful, but it doesn't have everything they need for long term health. What you really want is two things, Seachem Prime, for dechlorinating (or another dechlorinator that removes/treats chlorine, chloramine, and ammonia) and Instant Ocean. Both are available at pet stores. With those two products, you can safely use regular tap water, and your saltwater will be much more beneficial. Also, you'll find that it will end up being a lot less expenive; the smallest packages of each will last you a long time.

Eliminate the crab pellets, and feed from your kitchen. Many of the foods we eat are fine for them, as long as they are not seasoned. Check out the safe foods list, you'll get lots of ideas.

With six crabs, you'll want to make lots more shells available. Figure on 3-4 per crab, at least. JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby can be good places to find shells, as well as dollar stores sometimes.

Sponges are not neccesary, and unless you sanitize them daily (not just rinse) they can grow bacteria, and not the kind we want in our crabitats. Most people think they are simply not worth the effort required to keep them safe.

Maybe most importantly, don't get overwhelmed! There's sooo much information to learn, and most of us have had that 'I'm not sure I can do all this' moment. Just take it one step at a time, and remember we are here to help, and are more than happy to. :)

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mrsboobae2013
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Re: Skeet

Post by mrsboobae2013 » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:30 pm

Yay cause i really didn't know much about them Im still shocked i have 6 now im really a foster parent Skeet loves to be out and on someone im just scared of holding her

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lauraroberson
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Re: Skeet

Post by lauraroberson » Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:05 am

I know it's been a while since you posted this and you may have already figured it out. But no one else has mentioned it.. But from you photo it looks like, at least that one, is an Ecuadorian not a PP.
7 PPs & 2 Es
75 gal tank + multiple smaller ones range from 20-5gals
Crabbing for 2+ years
Addicted and loving it!

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wodesorel
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Re: Skeet

Post by wodesorel » Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:35 am

lauraroberson wrote:I know it's been a while since you posted this and you may have already figured it out. But no one else has mentioned it.. But from you photo it looks like, at least that one, is an Ecuadorian not a PP.
Skeet is a young Purple Pincher. :) When they are little they'll usually be sandy-colored and faded compared to the adults.
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lauraroberson
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Re: Skeet

Post by lauraroberson » Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:41 am

wodesorel wrote: Skeet is a young Purple Pincher. :) When they are little they'll usually be sandy-colored and faded compared to the adults.
Image
I wasn't really thinking E because of color but because of the eyes. They seem more elongated to me. But I really cold be wrong, cause I can't zoom in on the photo, and I'm looking on my phones smaller screen and not a computer.. Image
EDIT* nvm though you're right. I took a second look. You can see the purple pod the claw through the other legs. I guess I just must have E brain right now since I just got 3 of them.. HahahaImage
(plus its like 2:50am here, and I should really get to bed!)
7 PPs & 2 Es
75 gal tank + multiple smaller ones range from 20-5gals
Crabbing for 2+ years
Addicted and loving it!

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mrsboobae2013
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Re: Skeet

Post by mrsboobae2013 » Sun Nov 01, 2015 3:38 pm

Image This is skeet

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wodesorel
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Re: Skeet

Post by wodesorel » Sun Nov 01, 2015 4:05 pm

Look at him! :hearts:
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mrsboobae2013
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Re: Skeet

Post by mrsboobae2013 » Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:03 pm

She is my favorite crab.

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me n my hermikids
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Re: Skeet

Post by me n my hermikids » Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:08 pm

Dont let the other crabs know you have a favorite :)

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mrsboobae2013
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Re: Skeet

Post by mrsboobae2013 » Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:22 pm

I try not too lol but they still run and hide when I come around

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