Possible Surface Molting or Sick Crab

[Daisy]

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? Coconut fiber and flukers sand, 6 inches for about half the tank then slopes down.


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? Yes, both are usually between 75-80, but humidity drops no matter what I have tried during they day so I give salt water baths when it does as I read that helps.


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Yes, a blue day heat lamp, 60 watts, light is blocked by a towel fully at night but temperature remains the same.


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)? Dechlorinated fresh and salt, zoo med brand, ratios are according to instructions.


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Zoo med mix as well as fresh fruits and vegetables(organic)


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? About 2 months, not sure of the species name but it is the standard in US pet stores.


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Not previously but I think its possible both are currently.


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10 gallon glass tank screen type lid(towel over part to boost humidity).


9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2 crabs both about 2 inches.


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 4 extra shells, switched every so often when they were both finding new shells when I first got them.


11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No.


12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Every week I clean the water and food dishes well, and scoop poop. I so far haven't had any mold or grime on the tank walls. I changed out the substrate once to add sand.


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? One sponge in the dechlorinated water, rinsed and dried.


14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No, but my crabs and everything are still relatively new.


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.)? One crab(Oswald) loves salt water baths so he gets them more often, and the other(Rascal) loves to climb so there are toys and a climbing wall.


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. One crab(rascal) appears to be consistently buried right now(unless he only comes out for a few hours at night, so I wonder if he buried to molt. He has always been the less active one. Oswald however, doesn’t fully bury himself despite me making the substrate deeper(should it be 6 inches all the way through instead of sloping? also he seems to enjoy the sandier parts so I wonder if I should add more sand not mixed with coconut fiber) Lately, Oswald has been tucked in his shell all the time unless I place him in water, and he has become more limp in his shell, but he moves when I pick him up and does not appear to be dead. I haven't changed anything but the substrate by adding flukers sand, and he used to be far more active. I wonder if he is surface molting? I am afraid to touch him too much if he is, but I also want to give him baths because no matter what I do the humidity drops in the daytime. I am worried he is sick and I do not know what to do.


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[Hermiesguardian]

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? Coconut fiber and flukers sand, 6 inches for about half the tank then slopes down.

HG - the entire tank needs to be a minimum of 6 inches across or 3 times the height if your largest crab. Whichever is deeper. It also needs to be mixed with dechlorinated water to sandcastle consistancy.

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? Yes, both are usually between 75-80, but humidity drops no matter what I have tried during they day so I give salt water baths when it does as I read that helps.

HG - digital thermometers are more accurate than analog. The lud should be totally sealed. You can do that by taping saran wrap over it. Crabs are mostly hands off but should never be bathed. They keep a balance of fresh and saltwater in their shells. Bathing will upset that balance.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Yes, a blue day heat lamp, 60 watts, light is blocked by a towel fully at night but temperature remains the same.


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)? Dechlorinated fresh and salt, zoo med brand, ratios are according to instructions.

HG- unfortunately many things marketed for hermit crabs aren't good for them. The most recommended dechlorinater is Prime. Then add Instant Ocean to make salt water. Their pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge with a safe way in and out.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Zoo med mix as well as fresh fruits and vegetables(organic)

HG - they can eat most of what we fo. Check out the food guides.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? About 2 months, not sure of the species name but it is the standard in US pet stores.


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Not previously but I think its possible both are currently.


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10 gallon glass tank screen type lid(towel over part to boost humidity).

HG - a towel will absorb humidity. Seal with saran wrap instead.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2 crabs both about 2 inches.


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 4 extra shells, switched every so often when they were both finding new shells when I first got them.

HG- the HCA recommends 3-5 extra shells per crab. Check out the shell guide. There are right and wrong shells

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No.


12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Every week I clean the water and food dishes well, and scoop poop. I so far haven't had any mold or grime on the tank walls. I changed out the substrate once to add sand.


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? One sponge in the dechlorinated water, rinsed and dried.

HG- spongrs harbour bacteria. Throw them out.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No, but my crabs and everything are still relatively new.


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.)? One crab(Oswald) loves salt water baths so he gets them more often, and the other(Rascal) loves to climb so there are toys and a climbing wall.

HG - again, no baths

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. One crab(rascal) appears to be consistently buried right now(unless he only comes out for a few hours at night, so I wonder if he buried to molt. He has always been the less active one. Oswald however, doesn’t fully bury himself despite me making the substrate deeper(should it be 6 inches all the way through instead of sloping? also he seems to enjoy the sandier parts so I wonder if I should add more sand not mixed with coconut fiber) Lately, Oswald has been tucked in his shell all the time unless I place him in water, and he has become more limp in his shell, but he moves when I pick him up and does not appear to be dead. I haven't changed anything but the substrate by adding flukers sand, and he used to be far more active. I wonder if he is surface molting? I am afraid to touch him too much if he is, but I also want to give him baths because no matter what I do the humidity drops in the daytime. I am worried he is sick and I do not know what to do.

HG - if a crab is buried you can add 1 inch of substrate every 24hrs. Just don't pat down. Leave Oswald alone. They stress out very easily. Even if tank conditions were perfect, it's possible he can die from PPS, post purchase syndrome.
In the meantime, seal the lid. Make sure they have protein and calcium daily.
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[Daisy]

Thank you so much!! I did not even think about using dechlorinated water for the substrate, so I will redo it since I will make it deeper anyway. I started baths because he stopped climbing in the water himself, and a long time ago when I had them it was pushed to bathe, but I will stop that, and I will also try the plastic wrap, and I am reluctant to leave the house right now to buy new conditioners and thermometers, but if it is very important then I will. Thank you again for all your help