[/img]i]Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks! [/i]
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Reptilite sand and Eco Earth on top. It’s about 2 inches of sand and 1 inch of the Eco Earth. I’m sure it needs to be a bit deeper though.
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? It’s an analog and they read in the “normal” range, around 78-ish for both. It’s on the opposite end of the heater. We live in Florida so this usually isn’t a problem.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Yes, an adhesive heat pad that is on the outside of the tank.
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)? I use Zoo Med brand salt & fresh water conditioner, used as directed. I have a ramp bowl for the fresh water and 2 sponges kept soaked with salt water.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Gardner’s hermit crab food, and assorted other foods like oats, chia seeds, crackers (no salt), dried fruits, egg shells, etc. Changed every couple days or so.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? Only had them for a couple weeks now. Purple pincher or tree crab I think they’re called?
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? I don’t know yet.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? It is a large plastic terrarium, 3 gallons I believe. It has a plastic top that I’ve covered mostly with plastic wrap. This is a starter tank for my son, we plan on getting a much bigger glass tank if we can keep these little crabbies alive!
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? There are 2 tiny crabs, about the size of a quarter (with shell).
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? I have 3 extras currently.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how? I haven’t had to yet.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? They are not in the water dish, but 2 at opposite ends of the tank. I take them out, rinse them (with the conditioned water), soak them with salt water and put them back every few days or so. My son mists them with salt water daily.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? It’s all pretty much new to them.
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.)? We are new to having these crabs, but we tried very hard to have everything they need and did some research beforehand.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. One of our crabs has stopped moving/crawling around. This one is very friendly, not scared of much, he’s really neat! A couple days ago we noticed he hadn’t moved from the same place in awhile. We took him out (maybe we shouldn’t have but I don’t know) to have a look at him. He’s sort of hanging out of his shell, even if we touch his legs, he doesn’t retract but just barely moves if at all. We’ve placed him back and he still hasn’t moved. He doesn’t smell. Our other crab has been buried, assuming he’s molting or just hiding from being in a new place. I’ve heard a scratching like noise at night coming from the tank. Nothing smells bad at all. We are worried about our new little friend! If he is dying, is there anything we can do? What did we do wrong?
.
Hermit is ill or surface molting?
Re: Hermit is ill or surface molting?
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Maddamay32
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Thu May 23, 2019 5:34 pm
- Location: Texas
Re: Hermit is ill or surface molting?
[/img]i]Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks!
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Reptilite sand and Eco Earth on top. It’s about 2 inches of sand and 1 inch of the Eco Earth. I’m sure it needs to be a bit deeper though.
You're substrate should be at least 6in deep based on how small your crabs are. Substrate should also consist of playsand and/or eco earth. Reptilite sand is something I have never heard of. If it's calci sand that is very dangerous to hermit crabs.
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? It’s an analog and they read in the “normal” range, around 78-ish for both. It’s on the opposite end of the heater. We live in Florida so this usually isn’t a problem.
Digital thermostats and hydrometers are more accurate.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Yes, an adhesive heat pad that is on the outside of the tank.
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)? I use Zoo Med brand salt & fresh water conditioner, used as directed. I have a ramp bowl for the fresh water and 2 sponges kept soaked with salt water.
Sponges harbor unsafe bacteria. Salt water should be mixed using instant ocean after using a dechlorinator like "Tetra aqua safe plus" and freshwater only needs the "Tetra aqua safe plus"
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Gardner’s hermit crab food, and assorted other foods like oats, chia seeds, crackers (no salt), dried fruits, egg shells, etc. Changed every couple days or so.
I don't know what Gardner's hermit crab food is. If it's a commercial food I would throw it out. Many of store bought foods for hc are unsafe. Everything else you've listed is perfect, except for a protein source. Raw meat/seafood is fine without seasonings.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? Only had them for a couple weeks now. Purple pincher or tree crab I think they’re called?
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? I don’t know yet.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? It is a large plastic terrarium, 3 gallons I believe. It has a plastic top that I’ve covered mostly with plastic wrap. This is a starter tank for my son, we plan on getting a much bigger glass tank if we can keep these little crabbies alive!
The minimum required for 2 hermit crabs, regardless of size, is a 10 gallon tank. I would like to say good job with the plastic wrap to keep in humidity
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? There are 2 tiny crabs, about the size of a quarter (with shell).
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? I have 3 extras currently.
The minimum extra shells required are 3 shells per crab. Make sure the offered shells are the same size of your crabs and slightly larger.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how? I haven’t had to yet.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? They are not in the water dish, but 2 at opposite ends of the tank. I take them out, rinse them (with the conditioned water), soak them with salt water and put them back every few days or so. My son mists them with salt water daily.
Sponges harbor unsafe bacteria. Hermit crabs have no need for them anyway.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? It’s all pretty much new to them.
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.)? We are new to having these crabs, but we tried very hard to have everything they need and did some research beforehand.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. One of our crabs has stopped moving/crawling around. This one is very friendly, not scared of much, he’s really neat! A couple days ago we noticed he hadn’t moved from the same place in awhile. We took him out (maybe we shouldn’t have but I don’t know) to have a look at him. He’s sort of hanging out of his shell, even if we touch his legs, he doesn’t retract but just barely moves if at all. We’ve placed him back and he still hasn’t moved. He doesn’t smell. Our other crab has been buried, assuming he’s molting or just hiding from being in a new place. I’ve heard a scratching like noise at night coming from the tank. Nothing smells bad at all. We are worried about our new little friend! If he is dying, is there anything we can do? What did we do wrong?
.
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1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Reptilite sand and Eco Earth on top. It’s about 2 inches of sand and 1 inch of the Eco Earth. I’m sure it needs to be a bit deeper though.
You're substrate should be at least 6in deep based on how small your crabs are. Substrate should also consist of playsand and/or eco earth. Reptilite sand is something I have never heard of. If it's calci sand that is very dangerous to hermit crabs.
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? It’s an analog and they read in the “normal” range, around 78-ish for both. It’s on the opposite end of the heater. We live in Florida so this usually isn’t a problem.
Digital thermostats and hydrometers are more accurate.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Yes, an adhesive heat pad that is on the outside of the tank.
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)? I use Zoo Med brand salt & fresh water conditioner, used as directed. I have a ramp bowl for the fresh water and 2 sponges kept soaked with salt water.
Sponges harbor unsafe bacteria. Salt water should be mixed using instant ocean after using a dechlorinator like "Tetra aqua safe plus" and freshwater only needs the "Tetra aqua safe plus"
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Gardner’s hermit crab food, and assorted other foods like oats, chia seeds, crackers (no salt), dried fruits, egg shells, etc. Changed every couple days or so.
I don't know what Gardner's hermit crab food is. If it's a commercial food I would throw it out. Many of store bought foods for hc are unsafe. Everything else you've listed is perfect, except for a protein source. Raw meat/seafood is fine without seasonings.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? Only had them for a couple weeks now. Purple pincher or tree crab I think they’re called?
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? I don’t know yet.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? It is a large plastic terrarium, 3 gallons I believe. It has a plastic top that I’ve covered mostly with plastic wrap. This is a starter tank for my son, we plan on getting a much bigger glass tank if we can keep these little crabbies alive!
The minimum required for 2 hermit crabs, regardless of size, is a 10 gallon tank. I would like to say good job with the plastic wrap to keep in humidity
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? There are 2 tiny crabs, about the size of a quarter (with shell).
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? I have 3 extras currently.
The minimum extra shells required are 3 shells per crab. Make sure the offered shells are the same size of your crabs and slightly larger.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how? I haven’t had to yet.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? They are not in the water dish, but 2 at opposite ends of the tank. I take them out, rinse them (with the conditioned water), soak them with salt water and put them back every few days or so. My son mists them with salt water daily.
Sponges harbor unsafe bacteria. Hermit crabs have no need for them anyway.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? It’s all pretty much new to them.
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.)? We are new to having these crabs, but we tried very hard to have everything they need and did some research beforehand.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. One of our crabs has stopped moving/crawling around. This one is very friendly, not scared of much, he’s really neat! A couple days ago we noticed he hadn’t moved from the same place in awhile. We took him out (maybe we shouldn’t have but I don’t know) to have a look at him. He’s sort of hanging out of his shell, even if we touch his legs, he doesn’t retract but just barely moves if at all. We’ve placed him back and he still hasn’t moved. He doesn’t smell. Our other crab has been buried, assuming he’s molting or just hiding from being in a new place. I’ve heard a scratching like noise at night coming from the tank. Nothing smells bad at all. We are worried about our new little friend! If he is dying, is there anything we can do? What did we do wrong?
.
Sent from my cp3705AS using Tapatalk
8 crabs at the moment "Tarzan, Kermit, Shy guy, Eduardo, Jimbo, Rosa, Diesel, Treaker"
Re: Hermit is ill or surface molting?
While I very much appreciate the information, it is not helping at the moment with my sick crab. I do however take the criticism and will most definitely continue to improve the crab’s home any way I can. All advice is welcome! The internet can be so conflicting at times!
The sand was handed to me at the pet shop when I asked for more than the tiny bag of colored hermit crab sand. They told me this kind is ok for them since it says “no scratch” and that it’s “rounded” sand. It feels soft and very fine. I have a crab currently buried in it, will it hurt him? It was watered to sand castle consistency when I initially placed it in.
Is Zoo Med not a good brand? I have it for fresh & salt water conditioner. The pet shop said any aquarium water conditioner is ok, is this true? I will get rid of the sponges. Is placing moss a good alternative? I was told it helps with keeping humidity.
I will start adding some meat to the crabs food. I did get a commercial food from the store, just to have another variety to give them. Is this no good?
I plan get more shells very soon. They didn’t have any rounded openings or any good ones for that matter at the pet shop, so I will have to make a trip to the beach.
Any info on what might be happening to our little sick crab would be most helpful! He still hasn’t moved any.
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The sand was handed to me at the pet shop when I asked for more than the tiny bag of colored hermit crab sand. They told me this kind is ok for them since it says “no scratch” and that it’s “rounded” sand. It feels soft and very fine. I have a crab currently buried in it, will it hurt him? It was watered to sand castle consistency when I initially placed it in.
Is Zoo Med not a good brand? I have it for fresh & salt water conditioner. The pet shop said any aquarium water conditioner is ok, is this true? I will get rid of the sponges. Is placing moss a good alternative? I was told it helps with keeping humidity.
I will start adding some meat to the crabs food. I did get a commercial food from the store, just to have another variety to give them. Is this no good?
I plan get more shells very soon. They didn’t have any rounded openings or any good ones for that matter at the pet shop, so I will have to make a trip to the beach.
Any info on what might be happening to our little sick crab would be most helpful! He still hasn’t moved any.
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Hermiesguardian
- Posts: 3029
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 10:41 pm
Re: Hermit is ill or surface molting?
You can try giving him some pure organic honey. It's a good healing food. Although it does sound like he may be gone. That food looks ok. I'm not sure about the sand but a 50lb bag of playsand is less than $5. Most items marketed for hermit crabs are actually either insufficient or downright toxic. Petstores really don't know anything about hermit crabs. Read through the basic care sheets on here.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Re: Hermit is ill or surface molting?
I will get the play sand when we upgrade the tank. I hope this sand is ok until then, I have a crab buried in it at the moment! I always have organic local honey on hand so this is good to know. Thanks for the info!
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Hermiesguardian
- Posts: 3029
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 10:41 pm
Re: Hermit is ill or surface molting?
You're welcome.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi