HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi! So recently I redid my tank setup for my hermit crab “Lobster” and I added in some larger pools. I thought I would upgrade the tank and add in some bubblers, and after a while of fiddling with tubes and airstones, I got it finished. Now its been about a week since I changed everything and Ive noticed that Lobster is in the opposite corner from his water pools and looks like he’s been digging a little bit there and isn’t super active and trying to climb on everything like he usually does.

Should I be worried?

I’m thinking that maybe he is just a little stressed because of his new surroundings, so for now I’m just watching him. The bubbler is kind of loud so I was also thinking that maybe it was frightening the poor guy... I turned it off, but his humidity dropped so I just turned it back on tonight. I’m kind of stumped on what to do because the whole reason I added in the bubbler was so that his water pools would be fresh and not stagnant, but maybe I should take out the bubblers?

Any advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated, and if you’ve had a similar experience I would love to hear what your solution was.

i dont use a bubbler but you could try alternitives instead of your bubbler if you feel its a real promlem and keeping your crab from its water

like i have a moss pit and a small humidifier i put on top of the screen lid of my tank

he also might preparing to molt

Where do you have your air pump? Crabs are sensitive to vibration. The vibration from the pump may be scaring them if it is sitting next to the tank. Having the pump on the floor or away from the tank may keep the vibrations down.

Another issue may be how intense the air stones are bubbling. You can get in line valves to control the air flow. Maybe start out with the bubblers just being in the tank not working. As you see your crab use the pools slowly start turning on the valves.

It may also take them some time to adjust to the changes. Every crab we have is a bit different. Some run at any movement they see outside of the tank. Others will let me hand feed them popcorn and not day an eye. I would give them some time to adjust and look for sand, poop or other activity in the waters.

Motörcrab wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 15, 2020 9:21 am

Where do you have your air pump? Crabs are sensitive to vibration. The vibration from the pump may be scaring them if it is sitting next to the tank. Having the pump on the floor or away from the tank may keep the vibrations down.

Another issue may be how intense the air stones are bubbling. You can get in line valves to control the air flow. Maybe start out with the bubblers just being in the tank not working. As you see your crab use the pools slowly start turning on the valves.

It may also take them some time to adjust to the changes. Every crab we have is a bit different. Some run at any movement they see outside of the tank. Others will let me hand feed them popcorn and not day an eye. I would give them some time to adjust and look for sand, poop or other activity in the waters.

Ooh, yeah I think valves to control air flow will be good! Since I made this post (gosh has it really been 5 months?? ) I've mainly been keeping the bubbler off and occasionally turning it on. He is pretty skittish and its only been as of late that he doesn't get scared and hide in his shell as soon as I open the lid to change his food. I also think moving the air pump further away and getting a longer tube might be good as well. Thanks for the recommendations!