EMERGENCY

[Scoots08]

My two week old crabbie was acting lethargic and one day stopped moving completely. I moved her carefully to change their substrate. She had not buried herself but was still hidden on top of the substrate. She is not ashy looking or clouded eyes and still is somewhat reddish in color. She has been totally still for a couple of days, but has no odor. I am keeping her separate from the others, but I am worried she may have passed being when I moved her previously, she nearly fell out of her shell....
I have been researching but I fear the worst may have occurred. Any thoughts are appreciated!

[curlysister]

If she falls out of her shell, it sounds as tho she has passed. But if she is still partly in, she may not have. Does she respond at all if you touch her?
If you copy and paste the Emergency template, and answer the questions, we can help trouble shoot what may have happened. Although if you have not had your crab for long, it could have been Post Purchase Syndrome - they go through so much before we get them, that sometimes they are unable to over come it, even if our conditions are perfect.


1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

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?

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

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)?

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

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

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

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

14. Has anything new been added to your 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.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.