New Hermit Crab Owner for large purple pincher

[iamme13579@gmail.com]

Our friend just gave us a large purple pincher a couple days ago. In my research I've realized that her living area is not suitable. She has a very thin layer of substrate (barely covering the bottom) and a few shells and a coco shell (she's never came out of). She has 2 tiny water bowls (not large enough to get in). Our friend had her for about 2 years and did what he was told to do to take care of her. He said she just melted a couple months ago but he just drove from California to Texas with her. I noticed she hadn't ate all all so I shined a little light into her coco hut and she didn't move and I saw what looked to be her out of her shell dead (I didn't think she was molting because she had just melted and what I read said they only molt every 18 months or so. I figured she died of stress. After my husband took "her" out to bury her I checked her shell and she was deep inside. I quickly put her coco shell back and covered her tank, but now I have all the stuff for her new tank but I'm not sure if I should move her into a new environment while she molting but she has no way to bury herself or pools to go in. I'm scared I've already caused her too much stress but I want her to be able to molt in the right environment. Please help. Also, why would she molt again so soon? Any guidance would be helpful and appreciated. TIA

[KyMart]

Our friend just gave us a large purple pincher a couple days ago. In my research I've realized that her living area is not suitable. She has a very thin layer of substrate (barely covering the bottom) and a few shells and a coco shell (she's never came out of). She has 2 tiny water bowls (not large enough to get in). Our friend had her for about 2 years and did what he was told to do to take care of her. He said she just melted a couple months ago but he just drove from California to Texas with her. I noticed she hadn't ate all all so I shined a little light into her coco hut and she didn't move and I saw what looked to be her out of her shell dead (I didn't think she was molting because she had just melted and what I read said they only molt every 18 months or so. I figured she died of stress. After my husband took "her" out to bury her I checked her shell and she was deep inside. I quickly put her coco shell back and covered her tank, but now I have all the stuff for her new tank but I'm not sure if I should move her into a new environment while she molting but she has no way to bury herself or pools to go in. I'm scared I've already caused her too much stress but I want her to be able to molt in the right environment. Please help. Also, why would she molt again so soon? Any guidance would be helpful and appreciated. TIA

What do you mean by "melted"? The "dead" crab was her exoskeleton, crabs shed it when they molt. If you still have it you can give her it for nutrients and give her high protein foods (peanut butter, honey, etc.), and if you don't have it you can just give her high protein foods. If she has shed her exoskeleton (which it appears that she has), and lives alone, you can put her into the new crabitat right away, just be gentle with her as she is still week. She should start eating soon and will regain her color, just keep an eye on her and give her space.

I feel that the following links will be helpful to you.

Safe food list:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92557

Unsafe/unpopular food list:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92556

Shell guide:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92552

Why not to use painted shells:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... p?t=122358

Basic hermit crab information sheet:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... p?t=119273

Purple Pincher care sheet:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92452

Humidity guide:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92544

Molting info:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92527

Water guide:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92553

Substrate guide:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92542

Molting or dying crab health sheet:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92522

Crab not eating and drinking health sheet:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92521

I'm sorry if all of the links are overwhelming, I just want to give you the resources for success and to get any of your questions answered quickly! Good luck with the new crab!

~ KyMart

[iamme13579@gmail.com]

It was autocorrect. I typed molting. I realized knew it was her exoskeleton once I saw her in her shell and we brought back most of it and put it back in her tank by her coco hut. My number one goal is to make sure I know how to set up the tank for her to be comfortable and healthy especially while she molts. There's so much information. What's the best way to keep the humidity up? And I'm scared to death to do anything while she's molting. I don't want to stress her more than I'm sure she already is after this last week.

[iamme13579@gmail.com]

Just put a little peanut butter and honey in there? Any raw or natural kind?

[CrabbyLover77]

It was autocorrect. I typed molting. I realized knew it was her exoskeleton once I saw her in her shell and we brought back most of it and put it back in her tank by her coco hut. My number one goal is to make sure I know how to set up the tank for her to be comfortable and healthy especially while she molts. There's so much information. What's the best way to keep the humidity up? And I'm scared to death to do anything while she's molting. I don't want to stress her more than I'm sure she already is after this last week.

Hi! How often crabs molt is dependent upon their size. Smaller crabs can molt monthly, while larger crabs may only molt every 1-2 years (according to the HCA molting care sheet).
If the humidity and temperature are ok in the tank she's in, I would let her finish her molt there (if she were to have a buddy, you'd have to isolate her). You want humidity at least 70%, but most crabbers like to shoot for 80%+. The temp should be between 75-85°F. Many purple pinchers don't like to submerge anyway, so having water dishes that aren't very deep won't hurt her. You'll want to make sure you are are using a dechlorinator for your water, and using a marine salt for your salt water (like instant Ocean). Offer a variety of foods when you notice she is starting to move around again so she can regain her strength. Protein and calcium daily are especially important. That was good you gave her her Exo so she could eat it.
For humidity, if you have a mesh lid, wrap the entire thing in saran wrap. She will get air exchange when you do tank maintenance. Is her substrate sand and/or cocofiber? It should be moistened to sand castle consistency using dechlor fresh or salt water. If it's not, mist the substrate, or pour a little water all around the edges of the tank. The water will seep inwards. The substrate being wet will help keep the humidity up too.

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[wodesorel]

When crabs molt, the only thing they'll eat for a week or two (at least) will be their old shed skin. Since that was thrown out, it can be substituted for with eggshells, shrimp tails and/or cuttlebone.

I never expect them to eat "real" food at first as they're just not built to do so, a normal molt will have them underground for weeks afterwards resting before they come up and resume a normal diet. She'll likely go hogwild on proteins and carbohydrates after she hardens up and rests for a bit as a surface molt goes faster.

[iamme13579@gmail.com]

Thank you guys for all the help. I am putting the new tank together today but I'm switching her from a 10 gallon to a 55 gallon tank but it's 48" long and 18" tall. Is the best way to heat it still the mat on the back? Do I just get 2 or 3 to cover the whole back all the way up from 6" from the bottom or are there mats that big? Thanks

[KyMart]

Thank you guys for all the help. I am putting the new tank together today but I'm switching her from a 10 gallon to a 55 gallon tank but it's 48" long and 18" tall. Is the best way to heat it still the mat on the back? Do I just get 2 or 3 to cover the whole back all the way up from 6" from the bottom or are there mats that big? Thanks

You're very welcome. I'm unsure on mat sizing, but I do know that you should put the UTHs on the back or sides of the tank, the substrate is to heavy and can cause a fire hazard if you're putting it on a flat surface and all the weight is on it. It also heats above the substrate level better if it's on the back or sides of the tank. The substrate is thick and so if the UTH is under the tank it has to heat all of the substrate and then the air above, which is harder then just starting in the air above. This can also cause the glass to get too hot on the bottom and shatter, as well as it being too hot at the bottom of the substrate for the crabs to be comfortable, this is why most crabbers attach UTHs to the back or sides of the tank rather then the bottom.

[KyMart]

Thank you guys for all the help. I am putting the new tank together today but I'm switching her from a 10 gallon to a 55 gallon tank but it's 48" long and 18" tall. Is the best way to heat it still the mat on the back? Do I just get 2 or 3 to cover the whole back all the way up from 6" from the bottom or are there mats that big? Thanks

UTH (Under Tank Heaters, but placed on the back or side of the tank) are the best way to heat crabitats because Heat Lamps zap humidity and make keeping the crabitats humidity levels more challenging. Many crabbers use moss pits to help boost humidity.

The HCA has a topic related to moss, it will help you know what type of moss is safe for crabs and commonly used moss brands:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92533

The HCA also has a topic related to humidity, here that is for reference:
https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... hp?t=92544

~ KyMart

[CrabbyLover77]

Thank you guys for all the help. I am putting the new tank together today but I'm switching her from a 10 gallon to a 55 gallon tank but it's 48" long and 18" tall. Is the best way to heat it still the mat on the back? Do I just get 2 or 3 to cover the whole back all the way up from 6" from the bottom or are there mats that big? Thanks

Here's the one I use. I have it duct taped to the back wall of my tank:
https://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrather ... uth-6-x-47

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[curlysister]

I agree that I would leave her in the current tank if you can get the temp and humidity where they need to be.
If you have the old exoskeleton, put in in with her under the coco hut; if not, Wode gave advice as to what to put in.

As for setting up your new tank, check the 'basics' care sheet, then go from there.

[iamme13579@gmail.com]

We got her in the new tank. She has started to come out and eat. She hasn't gotten in the pools. I think she's tried a couple shells. I'm about to apply the heat tape to get the heat up a but higher. Humidity is good in the new tank. Thanks for the advise. Everyone has been so helpful