HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Back out of the shell he doesn’t seem able to carry one for long. Using cup method now.

At this time the crab has taken a shell but does appear to be having a hard time carrying it. Appears to have all legs as far as I can tell.
Currently only one other tank mate who is down molting.

Backstory: this crab was one of 38 rescues. Conditions were not ideal previously. With so many crabs I set up 2 10g aquariums and 1 20g terrarium all with 6 in of sub mix 5:1. Crabs were all small. 31/ 35 have been moved to a 55g. They are all doing great. This little guy went down 5 weeks ago. Along with one other in the 10g.

Today I saw this crab just sitting on the sub no shell. When he saw me he took off into a cave he has built under sub. I do not know where his original shell is. So I changed out the food water and placed small light weight shells in the tank. The smallest ones I could find still almost seem too big and heavy. He seems to be pale in color. I could not see any hairs on his legs or black tips.

The goal would be to move him to the 55g when possible since the conditions are much much better in it. The tank he is in has a lower humidity than I would like so requires spraying.

Anyone have any advice for keeping a crab alive that can’t carry a shell. He leaves the shell to walk around then gets into another shell


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Well I think he may be missing a leg ? It’s hard to tell. Hopefully he gets back in a shell


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You should isolate this guy in a small container inside your crabitat. Add a moist paper towel or moss with dechlorinated fresh water to the bottom. Gently pick your crab up. It's usually easier to gently scoop under him with a spoon and place him in to container. Also add three shells to see if he changes on his own.

If he doesn't reshell on his own you will need to carefully attempt to help him.

After he reshells I would keep him in isolation and offer cap fulls of fresh and saltwater along with a healthy mix of all foods types. I don't like using the term healing foods because we can't tell what the crab needs. Offering a variety of everything guarantees they will get what they need.

Once he reshells you will also need to offer a small hide and maintain proper heat, humidity and 12/12 hour light cycle.

Motörcrab wrote:You should isolate this guy in a small container inside your crabitat. Add a moist paper towel or moss with dechlorinated fresh water to the bottom. Gently pick your crab up. It's usually easier to gently scoop under him with a spoon and place him in to container. Also add three shells to see if he changes on his own.

If he doesn't reshell on his own you will need to carefully attempt to help him.

After he reshells I would keep him in isolation and offer cap fulls of fresh and saltwater along with a healthy mix of all foods types. I don't like using the term healing foods because we can't tell what the crab needs. Offering a variety of everything guarantees they will get what they need.

Once he reshells you will also need to offer a small hide and maintain proper heat, humidity and 12/12 hour light cycle.

Thank you. He is in a cup now he went into a shell. He does not seem able to carry it far or long. I have not taken him out of the cup yet wanted to make sure he was going to stay in it if possible. I have a critter keeper I could turn into a small iso for him and set that inside the tank.


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He is in iso and he does have black nail tips but he looks very pale


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Thats good he took he took the shell on his own! Offer foods in a small plastic lid like a milk jug cap. Same with the fresh and salt waters. I would put the food right up next to him so he doesn't have to move as much so he can conserve energy.

Here's the link to the food pyramid chart to get a better understand of hermit crab nutrition. The more balanced diet and healthy diet you offer the easier it will be for him to recover. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92554

Although your crab is not suffering from PPS (post purchase syndrome) and hasn't been attacked the guides for each give good information to care for sick or injured crabs.
Attacked Crab care sheet.
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=92528

PPS care sheet
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=92531

Motörcrab wrote:Thats good he took he took the shell on his own! Offer foods in a small plastic lid like a milk jug cap. Same with the fresh and salt waters. I would put the food right up next to him so he doesn't have to move as much so he can conserve energy.

Here's the link to the food pyramid chart to get a better understand of hermit crab nutrition. The more balanced diet and healthy diet you offer the easier it will be for him to recover. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92554

Although your crab is not suffering from PPS (post purchase syndrome) and hasn't been attacked the guides for each give good information to care for sick or injured crabs.
Attacked Crab care sheet.
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=92528

PPS care sheet
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=92531

Thank you. I can always do with a refresher course in foods . Well he doesn’t seem able to walk at all with the shell he keeps vacating it. I held him in the shell above the saltwater and fresh water caps and he took some water into the shell he is in while I held him and looked like he got him a drink. I set him on the food dish which is just a small flat plastic lid so maybe he will gain some strength back. If I have to hold him for water regularly until he can walk on his own with the shell I will. Without a shell on he moves very fast


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Well after staying in a shell all day yesterday. He abandoned it sometime in the night and passed away.


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Babybytc88 wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:38 am

Well after staying in a shell all day yesterday. He abandoned it sometime in the night and passed away.


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I'm so sorry.