Naked Hermit Crab

[argoandcliffthecrabs]

Hello, I will soon fill out the emergency form but for now I am worried about my hermit crab. He has no shell on and is walking around and mostly just sitting there like everything’s normal. He’s been without a shell for at least 4 hours. I’m really worried about him. He showed interest in a shell at one point, but then couldn’t flip it over. So I flipped it for him but he didn’t want to go in it. Is he okay? Why is he doing this? What should I do?

[argoandcliffthecrabs]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
EcoEarth, varying depths between 3 and 4 in.
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?
Humidity gauge in top right corner of back side of tank, on opposite side as water dishes. Usually reads between 70-80 percent. Heat gauge near center of back side of tank, usually reads about 80 degrees F.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
UTH are used on back of tank; two are used as only one does not give off enough heat. They are above the substrate to warm the air.
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)?
Both FW and SW and I use ZooMeds conditioners for both.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed a variety of fruits, vegetables, and meats as well as cuttlebone. Occasionally I’ll mix in commercial crab pellets or freeze dried bloodworms.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Almost a year, PP.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
He molted about 7 months ago from December through part of February.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon tank with mesh lid (lid has plastic wrap to keep humidity in with an air vent cut out)
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2, they are both medium though one is smaller than the other (the larger one is the naked one)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Plenty, I’d say about 7 or 8.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I do spot cleaning and clean it fully as needed.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No, I used to have one but it accidentally got thrown out during a cleaning.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Besides the new hermit crab, no. (Both hermit crabs get along)
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.)?
No.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

This morning (around 11:50 - I woke up late) I turned on the light to find that Argo was without a shell. His abandoned shell was nearby, however he showed no interest in it. There were no other shells directly next to him, which I found strange as when he changes shells he is very meticulous about it so that he spends as little time without a shell as possible. He showed a bit of interest in one shell after a few minutes, but couldn’t get it turned over so he could get to the opening. I turned it for him and it’s been 4 hours (I had to go out shopping for a while and had hoped he would get in a shell while I was gone) and he’s still without a shell and I am very worried.

[soilentgringa]

Put the crab and a couple of appropriate shells in a bowl. Rinse them in dechlorinated water. Pick the crab up and very gently rinse it off as well by dipping it in freshwater to remove any debris that may be stuck to it.

If it doesn't reshell within 20 mins you will need to place it into one.

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[argoandcliffthecrabs]

Thank you - I am doing that currently. I have rinsed him and now he is in the water with three of his favorite shells.

[argoandcliffthecrabs]

I just placed him into a shell and he just walked out of it. I put him in another and I’m hoping for better results this time.

[argoandcliffthecrabs]

He doesn’t seem to want to go in any shells even when I put him in them. What should I do?

[soilentgringa]

What kind of shells do you have?

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[argoandcliffthecrabs]

I’m not sure exactly. They are all completely natural and they are shells that he has liked to go in before. One I know is a snail shell. One is a tapestry I think. And the other I am unsure.

[argoandcliffthecrabs]

I put him back in the tank in iso with a container that has dechlorinated water in it as well as his shells. Out of all the shells, the three I put him with are his favorites.

[aussieJJDude]

Ensure that the water in the iso container isnt too deep, a couple of mm at most is needed to keep him moist.

As for reshelling a crab, many have had mixed success with placing the crab inside, while tapping on their head (or claws) until they are all the way in the shell, and eventually they will get into position and stay in there.

Once reshelled, continue to iso and ensure the iso container is filled with cuttlefish bone, as well as foods like honey (vit rich, and full of essential minerals) to help the crab regain their strength.

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[argoandcliffthecrabs]

Thank you all. He is still without a shell however is okay and I will attempt reshelling again using those methods. I apologize for not replying sooner as I had to go out again (busy day). Although I have been busy I have been ensuring the safety of my crab. Again, I will attempt reshelling and then I will give him some honey and cuttlebone to help with him regaining his strength. Thank you all so much!

[argoandcliffthecrabs]

I reshelled him and I hope he stays in the shell. I noticed while I was holding him there is a small crack in his larger claw - is this reason for concern? I heard a small crunching sound when I was holding him which I assume was his legs rubbing together or something but I don’t think two of my fingers are strong enough to crack his exoskeleton (think of trying to crack an M&M between your fingers - it’s difficult to do.) Maybe I somehow made the crack larger and that’s what the crunching sound was? I really don’t know, I wasn’t holding him that tightly at all.

[Rawrgeous]

Is there any way you can get pics of this crack? It's hard to say without visually seeing it. :/ But that doesn't sound normal. Hoping he stays shelled for you.

[argoandcliffthecrabs]

I will try to get pics of it later in the day. I’m giving him a good amount of “nighttime” with the light off so he is undisturbed and will hopefully feel safe to go into a shell in case the reshelling didn’t work. Thank you for the help.

[argoandcliffthecrabs]

Update: the reshelling was a fail. He just walked out of it pretty much. He’s standing partially in it and eating the honey I gave him last night. I’ll attempt reshelling soon.