Naked after molt

[Mgcrawford]

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? coconut husk approx 10" 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, 6" above the substrate, 80 degrees, 80% humidity


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? , yes, reptile pad along back wall


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)? spring water and instant ocean with spring water


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? hermit crab cakes, dried and fresh fruit, hermit crab shrimp, calcium, nuts, peanut butter, oatmeal, and packaged crab food,. I change food every couple days


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 2 months, I think purple


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? just melted first time


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 40 gal tank with plexiglass lid with holes cut out


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2 tiny to small, 2 med, 1 large


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 12 - 15 depending on who is molting


11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? no


12. How often do you clean the tank and how? spot cleaning, total cleaning 3 - 4 years, I clean with their salted spring water


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? no


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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. I adopted 2 tiny crabs. After isolating for a couple weeks, I added them to my crabitat. Blackard immediately went under, I assume is molting. Spiney has been really active running and climbing around but on Sunday disappeared and I figured went down to Molt. Wednesday I found him naked drinking salt water. I was worried the extra shells I have might be too big and his original shell must be buried so I bought smaller shells yesterday. I've had crabs for years and never saw this before. He's drinking, crawling around and climbing like nothing is wrong, just won't pick a shell. I'm tempted to dig around to look for his original shell. It could be deep and he's so small, maybe he just forgot where he left it. I'm afraid to do this though, I don't want to disturb any other molters. Any advise would be appreciated, he's been naked for over 48 hrs.



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[Jlmills525]

Until more experienced people answer, make sure you get him isolated and in a small place with several shells to pick from.. if he won't pick on his own, you may have to manually reshell him.

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[curlysister]

I hate to say it, but it sounds like post purchase syndrome. It's not a good sign that he was naked in the salt water. Your conditions sound good - the only small suggestion would be to use a dechlorinator with the spring water, or to use tap water and a dechlorinator. That's definitely not what is causing the problem now, tho.
Crabs don't leave their shells when they molt, so it shouldn't be that he 'forgot' where it was. I would agree with not digging to look for the shell. You will need to try the suggestions in the care sheet about naked crabs, to see if you can get him to take a new shell. If he gets back in a shell, see if he will take some high energy foods, like honey or peanut butter.

[Mgcrawford]

Thank you for your reply, that's kinda what I expected to hear. He actually buried himself again so I'll just wait it out.