Surface molting

[TelishaD]

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?
Play sand 3 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?
No I do not


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A 25watt 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)?
Distilled water from bottle saturated sponge

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Dried shrimp from pet store. Replaced everyday before the molting started


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
5 weeks and I believe thin striped crab

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Currently molting I think

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
It is the only crab and all I had to use for it was a turtle tank


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


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

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Haven't yet

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Yes and I haven't cleaned it yet

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No it has been put in a brand new crabitat recently

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 know nothing about crabs I've just got stuck taking care of one

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
My daughter brought home a hermit crab from Florida which she does every summer although I tell her not to because she doesn't care for them and they die every time. She usually gets them from one of the stores that have painted shells but this time she found one on the beach and put it in one of those wire cages you'd get from the store that sells them. After looking at it and doing some research I have learned that it is a striped hermit crab which is a marine crab and should be submerged in salt water.! Well it hasn't been in and water for about 5 weeks now! I thought it was dead but before I buried him I found out on Google that he may be molting. Do apparently it's been molting for about 3 weeks now on dry sand! I've got it bigger shells that I boiled. But I don't know what to do at this point. I also don't want to spend a lot of money if it's going to just die. But I will put all effort in giving it the best life possible if it survives through this molting phase in such terrible conditions!
Before any one bashes me or decides to shove their 2 cents down my throat just know that I am fully aware that he should of never been brought here and its a very cruel thing to do. But my daughter is a child and her dad let's her come back home with one every year. I just want advice or someone that can take care of it to take him please

.

[CrabbyLover77]

This forum is for land hermit crabs, so I know very little about marine crabs. Maybe you can find a board for marine guys? Is it possible to get it back to the beach? If not, here is a thread that might help:

https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... p?t=120175

If it's still alive, and you can't take it back to the beach, I'd suggest trying to get it to someone experienced at caring for marine crabs asap.

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[TelishaD]

How would I do that?

[curlysister]

Call local pet stores and ask if they know anyone, post on a local community chat page, etc.