Inactive crabs
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 11:01 am
I've had Holmes and Watson since August 2nd. They've been doing really well it seems like. Watson started molting the day after I got him, and stayed down for about a month. Holmes went down about a month ago and came back up last week. Watson has always been my active one, keeping me up all night with his clattering. He loved to climb EVERYTHING! Holmes has always just enjoyed chilling in his coconut hide, although I thought he might become more active after his molt (which he hasn't, so far). What's concerning me is that (Watson especially) they have been hardly moving, eating, drinking, soaking, or climbing the last few weeks. I've been trying to entice them to eat by giving them a little extra coconut the last few days, but they haven't touched it. I'm not sure what could be up...I've wondered about temperature. It used to always be around 75*, but lately I can't seem to get it above 70*. Humidity is fine (80* on average). I tried adding some foil and cardboard over the UTH to keep it more insulated, but that didn't really do anything. I went ahead and filled out this emergency template for y'all 'cause I know you'll ask anyway. Let me know any other questions you have! Just want to make sure my crabs are ok!
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
50/50 mix of play sand and coconut fiber. Gradient of about 6" on the deepest end and 2" on the shallow end.
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, temperature has been reading about 70* F and humidity stays at about 80* F.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
UTH insulated with several layers of cardboard and aluminum foil.
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 fresh and salt. ZooMed reptisafe water dechlorinator (2 drops/cup I believe), and ZooMed part 2 salt water conditioner (1 tsp/cup).
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Try to replace every day or so. I give them a decent variety of fruits and vegetables (I always verify that it's safe by checking the safe foods list). I also rotate hard boiled eggs, chicken, and freeze dried shrimp (which they probably get the most of) for protein. I have a couple of store bought foods (JurassiDiet and Zilla Reptile Munchies Omnivore Mix), but I only give those occasionally. I also have some Fluker's calcium powder supplement, but they don't seem to care for it, so I don't use it very often.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
A little over 2 months. Unknown species...I've heard purple pinchers are the most common though.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Both have molted with no issues, see above.
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 aquarium tank, glass lid.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs, about golf ball size (?) Maybe a little smaller. Holmes is a little bigger than Watson.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
About 5. I just got some new ones and I need to boil them and add them in.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Never have cleaned it (beyond changing the water and food...and I spray various structures with salt water about once a week to keep mold at bay).
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?
I did add another hanging faux plant in there a couple weeks ago since they seemed to like to climb so much. I also added a mesh hammock type thing (made for lizards, I believe), again because Watson was climbing so much.
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 (see above).
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
(see above).
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
50/50 mix of play sand and coconut fiber. Gradient of about 6" on the deepest end and 2" on the shallow end.
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, temperature has been reading about 70* F and humidity stays at about 80* F.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
UTH insulated with several layers of cardboard and aluminum foil.
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 fresh and salt. ZooMed reptisafe water dechlorinator (2 drops/cup I believe), and ZooMed part 2 salt water conditioner (1 tsp/cup).
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Try to replace every day or so. I give them a decent variety of fruits and vegetables (I always verify that it's safe by checking the safe foods list). I also rotate hard boiled eggs, chicken, and freeze dried shrimp (which they probably get the most of) for protein. I have a couple of store bought foods (JurassiDiet and Zilla Reptile Munchies Omnivore Mix), but I only give those occasionally. I also have some Fluker's calcium powder supplement, but they don't seem to care for it, so I don't use it very often.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
A little over 2 months. Unknown species...I've heard purple pinchers are the most common though.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Both have molted with no issues, see above.
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 aquarium tank, glass lid.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs, about golf ball size (?) Maybe a little smaller. Holmes is a little bigger than Watson.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
About 5. I just got some new ones and I need to boil them and add them in.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Never have cleaned it (beyond changing the water and food...and I spray various structures with salt water about once a week to keep mold at bay).
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?
I did add another hanging faux plant in there a couple weeks ago since they seemed to like to climb so much. I also added a mesh hammock type thing (made for lizards, I believe), again because Watson was climbing so much.
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 (see above).
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
(see above).
Take as much time as you need to mourn the loss of your crabbies. I totally understand the self-doubt that can rise from your animals dying. But don't give up. 
The hobby isn't for everyone, but if you decide you are ready to try again in the future, there are plenty of hermits in this world who need saving.