Yes. Leave him be and cover him up with a coconut hut if you have one. Also, put some really nutritious food really close by so he doesn't have to move too much to get it. Honey and peanut butter are good choices.
Good luck!
Depressed or molting?
Re: Depressed or molting?
You're absolutely right in that regular/frequent bathing is not at all recommended and is stressful on them. But it is commonly recommended to give new crabs a dip in the freshwater pool so they smell the same (cuts out on aggression and back on dominance displays) - a crab that's been isolated that you're introducing back into the main tank (same reason) - if a crab has surface molted or recently resurfaced and is being hounded by another crab (removed possible yummy molt smell). It has also been used to treat mites (though there is another better method imo) and break up fights. I have never heard of this ever causing death in the coming up on 8 years on this forum. Stressful, sure, but that's why it's not recommended to be done as a regular thing. These infrequent and sometimes necessary times will not cause death or issue.Angizme wrote:NEVER put a crab in water to dip or bathe. This has been tbe root of several deaths because they are already stressed and if it IS a molt you can hurt him severely
FYI, it does not sound like this crab has molted at all. Did he ever dig down? Did you ever see exo? Does he have sharp pointy leg tips and is hairy? I'm thinking he was just a bit stressed and adjusting to his new home. Checkout the caresheet section for proper land hermit crab care. I agree your temp and humidity are on the low side and it sounds like you should add more substrate. With him on the surface adding more will be no problem.
Re: Depressed or molting?
In research of hits and misses for over 13 years the ONLY reason to put crabs in any water is to stop a shell jacking and that is after ALL other options have not worked
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Re: Depressed or molting?
We'll just have to agree to disagree. I was simply stating that in the time I've been a member here I have seen it very commonly recommended for the above reasons and haven't seen it result in death or illness.
I was simply stating that in the time I've been a member here I have seen it very commonly recommended for the above reasons and haven't seen it result in death or illness.Re: Depressed or molting?
Ok thanks!mool wrote:Yes. Leave him be and cover him up with a coconut hut if you have one. Also, put some really nutritious food really close by so he doesn't have to move too much to get it. Honey and peanut butter are good choices.
Good luck!
Re: Depressed or molting?
You're absolutely right in that regular/frequent bathing is not at all recommended and is stressful on them. But it is commonly recommended to give new crabs a dip in the freshwater pool so they smell the same (cuts out on aggression and back on dominance displays) - a crab that's been isolated that you're introducing back into the main tank (same reason) - if a crab has surface molted or recently resurfaced and is being hounded by another crab (removed possible yummy molt smell). It has also been used to treat mites (though there is another better method imo) and break up fights. I have never heard of this ever causing death in the coming up on 8 years on this forum. Stressful, sure, but that's why it's not recommended to be done as a regular thing. These infrequent and sometimes necessary times will not cause death or issue.
FYI, it does not sound like this crab has molted at all. Did he ever dig down? Did you ever see exo? Does he have sharp pointy leg tips and is hairy? I'm thinking he was just a bit stressed and adjusting to his new home. Checkout the caresheet section for proper land hermit crab care. I agree your temp and humidity are on the low side and it sounds like you should add more substrate. With him on the surface adding more will be no problem.[/quote]
I didn't think he did at first, but yesterday when I was starting to get him out for a bath so he could meet the new hermie, I saw some of his exo in his house. So I put him back and covered the lid. I think he surface molted since I did not have enough substrate in his tank. I am going to leave him for another day or so to make sure he is done with his exo, and then give him a bath and move him into the new tank which has more substrate. I feel so bad that I had picked him up and he had recently molted, I hope he will be fine. So far he has been a pretty tough little crab
FYI, it does not sound like this crab has molted at all. Did he ever dig down? Did you ever see exo? Does he have sharp pointy leg tips and is hairy? I'm thinking he was just a bit stressed and adjusting to his new home. Checkout the caresheet section for proper land hermit crab care. I agree your temp and humidity are on the low side and it sounds like you should add more substrate. With him on the surface adding more will be no problem.[/quote]
I didn't think he did at first, but yesterday when I was starting to get him out for a bath so he could meet the new hermie, I saw some of his exo in his house. So I put him back and covered the lid. I think he surface molted since I did not have enough substrate in his tank. I am going to leave him for another day or so to make sure he is done with his exo, and then give him a bath and move him into the new tank which has more substrate. I feel so bad that I had picked him up and he had recently molted, I hope he will be fine. So far he has been a pretty tough little crab
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marandashermies
- Posts: 481
- Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2015 11:14 am
- Location: Minnesota
Re: Depressed or molting?
CallaLily wrote:You're absolutely right in that regular/frequent bathing is not at all recommended and is stressful on them. But it is commonly recommended to give new crabs a dip in the freshwater pool so they smell the same (cuts out on aggression and back on dominance displays) - a crab that's been isolated that you're introducing back into the main tank (same reason) - if a crab has surface molted or recently resurfaced and is being hounded by another crab (removed possible yummy molt smell). It has also been used to treat mites (though there is another better method imo) and break up fights. I have never heard of this ever causing death in the coming up on 8 years on this forum. Stressful, sure, but that's why it's not recommended to be done as a regular thing. These infrequent and sometimes necessary times will not cause death or issue.Angizme wrote:NEVER put a crab in water to dip or bathe. This has been tbe root of several deaths because they are already stressed and if it IS a molt you can hurt him severely
FYI, it does not sound like this crab has molted at all. Did he ever dig down? Did you ever see exo? Does he have sharp pointy leg tips and is hairy? I'm thinking he was just a bit stressed and adjusting to his new home. Checkout the caresheet section for proper land hermit crab care. I agree your temp and humidity are on the low side and it sounds like you should add more substrate. With him on the surface adding more will be no problem.
I agree 100% Calla! I have never heard of a bath harming or killing a crab either, but that it does contribute to the stress factor. I have never had to dip a crab for anything after the first initial purchase bath. So maybe she is referring to people who go bath crazy with their crabs. I was also wondering if the crab really did molt, but it sounds like it was a surface molt.
{125g~56g~55g} {30 PPs~ 10 Straws~ 5 Ruggies~ 2 E's~ 4 Viola's~ 2 Cavipes~ 2 Indo's}
2 Handsome Kitties {Rolan & Luka}
http://s628.photobucket.com/user/marand ... t=3&page=1
2 Handsome Kitties {Rolan & Luka}
http://s628.photobucket.com/user/marand ... t=3&page=1
Re: Depressed or molting?
No, I mean ever. I have rescued 135 crabs...at once....and have NEVER EVER put any crab in water.....EVER
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Re: Depressed or molting?
Just to be clear my idea of giving a bath is taking a little bowl and putting just a little bit of slightly warm fresh water in the bottom, and letting the crab walk around in it for a bit, and taking it out and letting it walk around a paper towel a bit to dry off. I would NEVER dunk a crab or swish it around in deep water. I just wanted to make sure that my crab that just molted, will not smell delicious to the other crab, and to make sure the new crab from the pet store was clean and free of mites.Angizme wrote:No, I mean ever. I have rescued 135 crabs...at once....and have NEVER EVER put any crab in water.....EVER
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Re: Depressed or molting?
Plus I don't plan to make baths a regular thing, just when somebody has molted or I get a new crab. But I totally get where u r coming from and appreciate ur advice, it defiantly could be stressful for the crabsAngizme wrote:No, I mean ever. I have rescued 135 crabs...at once....and have NEVER EVER put any crab in water.....EVER
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Re: Depressed or molting?
I unceremoniously dumped both of mine into my new 6" deep pool (a baking dish) to make sure they could both get out on their own. One scrambled out within seconds and the other walked around a bit, completely submerged, and then climbed out and stalked off.
I'm sure they were stressed, but I wanted to be sure both could get out of the new and much deeper pool before I left them unattended to possibly drown.
I'm sure they were stressed, but I wanted to be sure both could get out of the new and much deeper pool before I left them unattended to possibly drown.
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marandashermies
- Posts: 481
- Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2015 11:14 am
- Location: Minnesota
Re: Depressed or molting?
Angizme wrote:No, I mean ever. I have rescued 135 crabs...at once....and have NEVER EVER put any crab in water.....EVER
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hmmm OK! You are definitely entitled to your opinion!
A majority of the people on this site do a quick bath before introduction, but there is nothing wrong if you don't. whatever works for you! We just don't want to discourage new people to not do it. But again, only when necessary, Calla pin pointed those times out in her post above!{125g~56g~55g} {30 PPs~ 10 Straws~ 5 Ruggies~ 2 E's~ 4 Viola's~ 2 Cavipes~ 2 Indo's}
2 Handsome Kitties {Rolan & Luka}
http://s628.photobucket.com/user/marand ... t=3&page=1
2 Handsome Kitties {Rolan & Luka}
http://s628.photobucket.com/user/marand ... t=3&page=1
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marandashermies
- Posts: 481
- Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2015 11:14 am
- Location: Minnesota
Re: Depressed or molting?
mool wrote:I unceremoniously dumped both of mine into my new 6" deep pool (a baking dish) to make sure they could both get out on their own. One scrambled out within seconds and the other walked around a bit, completely submerged, and then climbed out and stalked off.
I'm sure they were stressed, but I wanted to be sure both could get out of the new and much deeper pool before I left them unattended to possibly drown.
I have heard lots of people doing this to make sure the exits were suffice. In a nice gentle way of course
I also have large filtered pools, so my crabs are always dive bombing into them from the corner guards, trying to walk along the edges and falling in. Its pretty funny to watch them actually. I have had crabs bathe for hours and hours at a time. Land hermit crabs. pshh!
{125g~56g~55g} {30 PPs~ 10 Straws~ 5 Ruggies~ 2 E's~ 4 Viola's~ 2 Cavipes~ 2 Indo's}
2 Handsome Kitties {Rolan & Luka}
http://s628.photobucket.com/user/marand ... t=3&page=1
2 Handsome Kitties {Rolan & Luka}
http://s628.photobucket.com/user/marand ... t=3&page=1
Re: Depressed or molting?
I did set them in upright on the bottom 
Re: Depressed or molting?
Hi its me the newbie again, I have just been leaving my newest hermit crab alone in his tank so he can de-stress and adjust. I would like to put some more substrate down in the tank because I ran out last night and didn't get quite the amount that I wanted in there. I am worried about him molting and not having enough substrate, and then he is forced to surface molt. So I am debating about if I should gently put some more substrate in and try not to bother him in his little hut, or if I should leave him be and wait a couple of days?