HCA: Hermit Crab Association®

[Vasliki]

I'm quite new to crabbing and I just got my crabs last week. Currently I have 4: Medium, small, small and micro-small. The tank is a 10G that will be upgraded to a 33G in the next two weeks (tank should be delivered this week, then just a matter of setting it up).

I got the crabs only a day after their shipment arrived at the pet store (thankfully, as the tank they were in had no humidity and was drafty). Dozer did look somewhat dull and I assumed he would be a molter when I got him home. He dug a bit, but seemed to give up after a time. My substrate is 70/30 playsand and EE. Humidity is kept at 75-80% via moss pit. Temperature is 75-80F consistently. Substrate is 4.5" deep. Tank has two levels and a large hidey. Salt water and fresh water are both avaliable (salt water is made from marine mix). Foods have been fresh and I added a honey and cuttle bone mix as a calcium treat (which Lady ate at for hours the 2nd day).

Dozer is the one in question, who I did not witness being very active since arrival. Even offerings of honey with cuttle bone near him was not enough to entice any eating. Today he seemed particularly bad, however. He was moving around in the hidey, but seemed to be more dragging his shell and listing than actually walking. When I lifted the hidey just slightly (as he appeared to be snagging the edge of the entrance), he did not retract into his shell and just kind of laid there.

Since the tank is only a 10G, I moved him off to the corner away from the other crabs and covered him with some honey and cuttle bone available.

Is there anything else I should be doing at this point? Like I said, this is my first time with crabs so this is all new ground for me (although I spent two weeks reading up on them before getting involved). At this point I'm not 100% that he's surface molting, but I'm thinking that it's likely to be the case.

Also: Any suggestions on how to keep the other crabs away from him? Lady is quite the digger, so I wouldn't put it past her to dig her way into his hidey. I've given them plenty of extra protein recently to hopefully discourage that kind of behavior, but still.

Gah. Who knew crabs could be this worrysome I really don't want to lose Dozer.

Also: How can I tell if he is stuck inside of his shell? He is in a painted shell that is beyond too small for him (he can't even pull his eyes in). I offered him several larger natural shells but he did not seem interested in the least.

[Vasliki]

Oh sorry, I forgot to add: They're all PPs.

[tigermoon89]

You could take a two liter bottle, cut off the top and bottom (it will act as a fence) and put it around Dozer, with access to food and fresh salt and fresh water. Also, try to make sure he has something to hide in while being iso'd in the main tank.

I will post a link for a lady that dealt with a crab being stuck in a painted shell.
_________________
Crystal

[tigermoon89]

Here is a link for common hermit crab illnesses: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=73222

Here is the link for the painted shell info (this thread has the link): http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=73345&highlight=
_________________
Crystal

[Vasliki]

I don't think he's stuck in his shell, as he is hanging out more than previously (I can still see him through his ISO, as I left a tiny door so I could check on him without moving anything). However, fitting water dishes in where he's ISO'd is going to be tricky unless I do just really shallow/small dishes.

I'll move stuff around and make it work. I do really hope he pulls through. A surface molt after the stress of being shipped worries me. He didn't really have any time to destress and recover a bit.

I double-checked all my tank's parameters tonight and everything is good (including hygrometer calibrated properly). Now it's just down to the waiting game and seeing which way things go.

Thanks for the links. I appreciate it!

[somethingfishy]

Good luck Vasliki! I hope all goes well for him
_________________
Crabber since '03
Owner of eight PP's...Joe my large, Rex, my medium, and New Girl, my small ) and 5 new rescues....names anyone?
And two E's...Sam and Ti.
Four successful molts and counting!
Other animals...Rhia, the golden retriever, Lefty the cat, Floppy the Rabbit and 13 fish!

[tigermoon89]

I hope all goes well!

Do his antennae seem to be active?
_________________
Crystal

[Vasliki]

No, his antennae are fairly still. Not like my other crabs whose antennae are always twitching and bobbing.

[zoidberg]

so you covered him in honey? Maybe I read that wrong. hope he makes it. Good luck little dude! Oh I forgot, cow liver or frozen silver sides will usually keep the other crabs from bothering a molter. you can find the silver sides in just about any pet store in the frozen fish food area.

[Vasliki]

No no. I covered him in his own little hut with a mixture of honey and cuttle bone sitting nearby. Sorry for the confusion.

Hmm... I'll have to try that. Luckily the pet store is open late here. Thank you, Professer Zoidberg.

[zoidberg]

no problem good luck

[Vasliki]

Checked on Dozer today. He has not molted, and his color has darkened up. He has not moved (including no movements of limbs or anything). Slight smell in the tank, although that might be due to some leftover food I found hidden away in one of the other crabs hideys (shrimp pieces).

Hopefully he's just trying to worry me, but I'm not sure at this point.

[zoidberg]

oh boy. I know it sounds gross, but did you pick him up and give him a whiff? The death smell is the worst smell in the world to a crabber. I hope he's ok.

[Vasliki]

Dozer has now gone on to hermie heaven. I will miss his strong independent personality.

[somethingfishy]

I'm sorry for your loss, you did all you could.
_________________
Crabber since '03
Owner of eight PP's...Joe my large, Rex, my medium, and New Girl, my small ) and 5 new rescues....names anyone?
And two E's...Sam and Ti.
Four successful molts and counting!
Other animals...Rhia, the golden retriever, Lefty the cat, Floppy the Rabbit and 13 fish!