1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
6 inches of play sand. I keep it most enough for it to be compact.
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?
Temperature is kept at 77 degrees. Humidity ranges from 70-80 percent, at the moment reads 72 which is low compared to usual. To keep humidity in I have a screen top lid which is covered with wax paper and has holes poked in it for airflow.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Overhead heat lamp with a temperature regulator.
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)?
Both fresh and salt water. Salt water from bottle, spring water from gallon at local store
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Food is replaced daily, every other day at latest. Fruit, organic matter such as leaves and small sticks, protein like chicken and tuna, grains like oats and rice, dried cranberries, peanut butter occasionally, and some vegetables (though I've stopped until I can make sure I know where the vegetables are coming from). I also have a separate dish of calcium crab food.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Unknown species. Have had for around a month.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No molts I have seen.
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 tank, screen lid with wax paper with holes poked in it to keep humidity in.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs in tank, medium size.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
There are 2 extra shells per crab
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 this tank for long, so other than weekly maintenance and checkups no cleaning so far
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
2 small decoy plants, safe for fish
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.)?
King, the crab I am concerned about, has been very active the last few days during odd times such as the early afternoon. Before then he wouldn't come out of his little cave. He has now moved caves.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I woke up this morning to find my hermit crab (King) had ditched his shell. I thought perhaps he switched shells, but to my dismay he is in a coconut hut, shell-less, and sprawled on his back. I shined a small light to look at him and he still is moving his legs, so as of right now he is still alive but I feel terrible. Is this a surface molt or is he in
.
There is a small amount of movement coming from him, so I'm going to move him into an isolation tank with more shells and continue to give him food and water. Hoping for the best.
.