Hermie's shell is in bad shape and doesn't want to switch

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:33 pm

I am new to this forum and have a new hermit crab. Poor little guy (actually a girl) is all alone for now but she will have a couple friends in the next couple days. I have a few questions and I would GREATLY appreciate any advice because I need it before I want to introduce new crabs.

I picked out a nice active crab three days ago when I was vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC. The conditions were horrible and I wanted to take several home, but was completely uneducated and thought they would fight. I bought a large plastic carrier, shells for water and food, commerical food (already checked to make sure it is safe) and a small amount of gravel. I planned on buying a 10 gallon tank when I got home but didn't have room to bring it home in the car. I have since learned that my new friend's conditions are less then adequate and tomorrow I will be getting all the additional equipment needed (sand deep enough so she can bury herself, declorenater and the salt water mixer stuff, calcium, gages...so and and so forth.) I am going to get everything that is required and recommend so don't worry about that. So, now for my questions...

1. Claudius (named her before I knew she was a girl) is in a very thin shell that is chipped. There were dozens of shells for her to chose from in the tank she was in at the store I got her from and I have some in her new home as well. It appears that her current shell is slightly too small but it is difficult to tell because she refuses to do anything put stick nearly her whole body out when i pick her up. I've tried flipping her on her back and even tried to startle her to get her to go in so I could see if her body was covered up by her large claw and front walking leg. The chips on the shell are on the edge are don't appear to be hurting her. But it just seems like she doesn't want to get in a new shell. She will check them out, but not try them on. Should i purchase more shells to see if she wants to switch or will she be fine in the one she is in until she grows?

2. As of yet she does not appear to have any ill effects from PPS. She does seem to be eating and drinking alot, but I figure she is just stocking up because she wasn't getting enough at the store. She needs to be moved into a proper tank with proper sand. And I also want to get about three more crabs for her to play with. (she is small and I will be getting more her size). Would switching her into a new tank with new crabs be too much stress this soon to taking her home?

3. How deep should the water dishes be? Do they prefer to soak in the fresh water or the salt water, or both? And if the water is deep should I still give them baths?

4. Is it normal that when I come home from work she is in the same spot she was when i left? If i pick her up and let her roam around the floor and put her back she will roam around for 30 minutes or so, and then she will settle back into a little spot she seems to like (it is no warmer or cooler there then anywhere else). She does pick up her activity at night but still spends a lot of time just sitting in her favorite spot.

Thanking you in advance for any advice/tips,
~Mattie

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:40 pm

1) are the extra shells that were provided painted? painted shells are uncomfortable and can be very harmful to crabs. so hopefully, if you offer a good selection of nice, natural shells around her size, she'll eventually change. I wouldn't worry about it much until then-just make sure you have the appropriate shells so that she can change if she wants to. also, here a tip: for getting the crab to retract, just start kinda stroking their legs for a minute. they should retract into their shell after a few seconds of that.

2) if she was previously with other crabs, then I think adding others to the tank will be okay.

3) the water should be deep enough for your biggest (in this case, Cladius now) crab to submerge. they like to bathe in both waters. be sure to provide a way out (little pebles, ramp, plant) for smaller crabs so they don't drown. and no, baths are not necessary if you have deep enough water dishes.

4) she's simply destressing from all thats happened recently. I would try not to handle her too much for the next week or so.

and, finally, welcome to the HCA! if you have other questions don't hesitate to ask.

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:17 pm

I just remembered something else I meant to ask.

She seems weak to me. Of course I don't have anything to compare her to. She can lift her shell up of the ground but when i first saw her walk I thought she might have something wrong with one of her legs. Now that I've seen her more she seems to be using them all and not just dragging any along. But if i put my finger nail in her big claw she doesn't seem to have a reflex to pinch. I've seen her open and close the pincher slightly, but she never grips onto anything with it. Is that normal? Is it because she small?

The shells I have aren't painted but they are much thicker then the one she is in now. The shell she is in is not a natural shell though. At the store I got her from they had a wide variety of natural and painted shells in the tank so I guess she just likes the one she is in now. I'll buy more with different shapes and sizes and see what happens.

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:31 pm

also, try finding the exact type of shell she is currently wearing, just in a slightly smaller size. there may be something specific about that type of shell's curviture that is comfortable for her.

if you think that she is weak, you should stop handling her. crabs go through a lot in the period before we get them: harvesting, shipping, living in a pet store, and they need some time to destress and get back to normal. for the big pincher reflex to work, you need to not only put your nail in there, but gently touch the end of it to one of the insides of her big pincher.

again, if she seems stressed or weak, just strictly limit your physical contact with her. better safe than sorry.

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:40 pm

Thanks for your help!

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:42 pm

you're very welcome. how far are you from the Tenessee/NC border? I live in Morganton, which is in western NC.

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:53 pm

I'm fairly close. I used a little distance tool I found out a website and we are 55 miles apart. Not far at all.

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:10 am

wow, that's close!

Caroline