Naked Crab After Trying On Shells

[GotButterflies]

I'm at my not at home. On my phone. GB for GotButterflies

@GB: Rather than quote the whole post, I'll just address points that need it by number
4. Here is what came with the crabs, and thus what I started with. When I bought the hood, I got some Instant Ocean, so I'm covered on that front.

GB: the link isn't a good product. Just toss it. Instant Ocean is what you need! Prime is a great dechlorinator.

5. The pellets I use are All Living Things. I saw that ALT Powdered was in the good list. I checked the ingredients and it seems like it should be in the clear, but I'll list the ingredients so you can be the final judge: Fish Meal, Ground Corn, Squid Meal, Dried Whole Egg, Soybean Oil, Shrimp Meal, Fructooligosaccharides, Dried Yeast, Yeast Extract, Artificial Flavors, Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Ascorbic Acid), Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Biotin, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacinamide, Calcium Panthothenate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Canthaxanthin, Inositol (Holy crap that was a bugger to type)

GB: lol! I don't have access to the list, I'll come back on that one.

14. The pots were brand new, and are crab-safe. Is there anything I can glue somehow to the sides so they can climb on the sides, if desired?

GB: sure, coco fiber matting, fish net, fake plants

15. I hope it wasn't a very delayed reaction to the bath that made him go naked. They were bathed for what will be their only time from me on Saturday, and he only came out Wednesday. I was equally bothered by the cypress chips after reading about substrate prior to getting the crabs. It was one of the first things I was diligent to amend

GB: it probably something else. That's too much time. Just no need to bath anymore

@Hermiearth, do you know of anyone in particular on the forum who's done that so I can get some advice to do it properly?

For anyone: How far away should the top of the substrate be from the heat source? My tank is a foot tall, so 6" would leave the crabs 6" to walk and climb
It's best if the heat source is the UTH just keep heat at minimum temp. Careful of the crabs eyes

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[Hermias_mom]

As far as the All Living Things dry pellet food goes, I saw several ingredients that are not considered to be safe on the list you provided. I bought that same food first off too, and had to throw it out-wasn't worth slowly poisoning my crabs with. That's what I chose to do, but everyone has to make their own informed opinion, so it's good that you're asking questions. Copper sulfate and cobalt sulfate are toxic to crabs. I think the zinc sulfate is also toxic, but I'm about 80% sure on that. I think rosemary extract is on the unsafe food list because it's a natural insecticide(? 50% sure on this). Please confirm what I've said, but I wanted to point out the ingredients that caused me concern.

If you're looking for a few good options for food you can leave in the crabitat pretty much all the time, my PPs love oak branches, bark, and dried oak leaves/leaf mold. These should be collected where the city doesn't spray for mosquitoes and be free of herbicides/pesticides/fertilizers. Folks say bake or freeze to get rid of pests. I also rinse mine in dechlorinated water after I cut them off the tree. Raspberry leaves and bark, maple leaves and bark(same cautions). Also dried insects and krill/river shrimp sold for reptile consumption without preservatives are great- expect to grind them up. They love these ground up, but won't eat them whole(why? Who knows...)

Hope this helps! Best of luck!

[Lephantome92]

I'm sad to report that Shy Guy is indeed dead I'm sad he's gone, but with not even having him two weeks, I couldn't get attached. Once my crabitat is set up, I'm getting another crab so I have at least 3
The other food that came with the crabs was something like this, Wardley Hermit Crab food, which claims to be 100% freeze-dried shrimp. I know the adage "If it says 'hermit crab' on it, throw it out!'', but is this reputable?
When I was reading up on crabs before getting them, I read that a heater on the bottom can make the substrate too hot
So I could theoretically take some twigs from a silver maple we just chopped down, rinse and bake for a few minutes, and store?
Since my freshwater drops are from the same as the saltwater ones, what's the recommended carrier? If it's on Amazon, sweet
Finally, are there any particularly recommended online shell stores?

[Hermiearth]

Sorry to hear


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[GotButterflies]

I'm sad to report that Shy Guy is indeed dead I'm sad he's gone, but with not even having him two weeks, I couldn't get attached. Once my crabitat is set up, I'm getting another crab so I have at least 3
The other food that came with the crabs was something like this, Wardley Hermit Crab food, which claims to be 100% freeze-dried shrimp. I know the adage "If it says 'hermit crab' on it, throw it out!'', but is this reputable?
When I was reading up on crabs before getting them, I read that a heater on the bottom can make the substrate too hot
So I could theoretically take some twigs from a silver maple we just chopped down, rinse and bake for a few minutes, and store?
Since my freshwater drops are from the same as the saltwater ones, what's the recommended carrier? If it's on Amazon, sweet
Finally, are there any particularly recommended online shell stores?

So sorry to hear about Shy Guy!

I don't see where that food had an preservatives, so it is okay.

Heater from the bottom of the tank needs to be removed. That can be a fire hazard, heat the substrate and cook the crabs. (I know you didn't put it there).

As far as the Maple - as long as no pesticides and fertilizers were used, you can rinse with dechlorinated water and then bake it or freeze it so bugs die before putting in the tank

Yes, that dechlorinator would be bad too. Here is a link for prime: https://smile.amazon.com/Seachem-116043 ... ords=prime

Edit: link for shell stores: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pa ... pping.html