Crab just lost small pincher. Please help!

[Dianalouise22]

I have 4 hermit crabs and one just lost her small pincher and I don't know what to do. Last time I had a hermit crab lose a limb it died. What do I do?

[soilentgringa]

Please fill this out so we can help address any areas of concern. Dropped limbs aee usually a sign of distress or illness.
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102


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[Dianalouise22]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Sand/coconut husk 6" deep

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, located at top of tank, temp usually around 73 humidity usually between 80-90%

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Behind the tank heater

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 types are available

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Hermit crab food, shrimp, fresh fruit and veggies, replaced daily


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Have had the crab 6 weeks, it is carribean

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Never molted

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
20 gallon tank with plastic lid

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 crabs in tank, small/medium size

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
8-10 usually

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
surface clean weekly, but have only had the tank about 2 months so have not deep cleaned yet. Have had 2 crabs molt since getting them (2 months ago)

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

1 sponge, it is new, i microwaved it once to clean it

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
just new food

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.)?
I am a new crabber. We bought 4 crabs at the beach, brought them home and set up a crabitat according to all hermit crab guides. Temp and humidity are great (my husband does heating and cooling for a living). We do not play with them much or bother them because they are new, and 2 of them have molted since we got them, one has returned one is still buried. one of the crabs from the beach died after losing 2 limbs, the one in distress is from petsmart.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
My crab "Joy" has been fine, but was starting to look a bit gray. She buried herself and I assumed she would molt but she came back up. She was fine all day today, out and about, and then i walked by the tank and saw her small pincher laying next to her. She seems to be hovering around it but still moving around ok. I am just unsure what to do to help her.

[aussieJJDude]

Just some things I noted which might of caused additional stress and made your crab Joy drop her claw.

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, located at top of tank, temp usually around 73 humidity usually between 80-90%

First off; move the gauges closer to the ground! You want to read what they're humidity/heat levels where they spend most of their time. you may notice higher/lower reading...

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 types are available

Sounds alright; could you please answer the second part of the question? If you're using untreated tap water it might of caused them to ingest chemicals like chlorine (chloramine), heavy metals ect... These chemicals have an unknown effect on the crabs; however it's possible to conclude that it is unsafe.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Hermit crab food, shrimp, fresh fruit and veggies, replaced daily

Sounds pretty good!
- What type of hermit crab food do you offer? (As you may know; most is considered unsafe due to the amount of preservatives that could be unsafe to the crabbies)
- (Being nit picky here) Could you increase the amount of food; especially in the protein area? Maybe have a quick peek here for them to have access to multiple vitamins and minerals.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
1 sponge, it is new, i microwaved it once to clean it

I'm sure you may know; but sponges do little to raise the humidity and good for potentially harmful bacteria to colonise on. Best thing is to take it out of the water dish and leave it in the tank for the crabs to snack on (as long as it is a "natural" sea sponge.)

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Never molted

Might be due to them being new... It could also be a sign of PPS due to this "We bought 4 crabs at the beach" which is common for the "beach crabs" to die quickly after purchase. This is due to their conditions before the sale (often exposed to the elements; very little in the sale tank caters properly to hermit crabs). However it's important to note that many of the smaller hermit crabs will moult around the 6 week mark; so you could be getting a moult on your hands (and if so; it can regrow it's claw). I could mean that she is preparing for a moult as i often noticed my crabs taking on a gray appearance before digging under. Have you noticed any aggression as well? It might be due to Joy being bullied.

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Sorry I could really give a concluding fact; but it's best to keep an eye on the little one. Feed them food rich in protein; vitamin & minerals like cuttlefish bones; honey; meats ect. Hope I have helped.

[Dianalouise22]

I have dechlorinated water using "reptisafe" and salt water using instant ocean I followed the guidelines on the container

I have used 2 kinds of hermit crab food, I have zoomed hermit crab food, and a zoomed hermit crab fruit salad
I also have a calcium supplement in there at all times due to my one newly molted crab. They all seem to really like it though

[JulesRolyCrab]

The water sounds good. Make sure that you use measurements on the bottle for amphibians and turtles.

The Zoo Med Hermit Crab food is not safe for your crabs. The Zoo Med salad is fine, you can continue use of that. To keep you crabs as healthy as possible, try to feed a variety of foods, such as unseasoned plain meats or fish, fruits and vegetables. Check out the safe and unsafe food lists, like aussieJJDude said.

What is the brand of the supplement?

[wodesorel]

This really sounds like classic Post Purchase Syndrome. It's extremely common in new crabs and we have an article about it here: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 67&t=92531

The advice the others have given will help make sure the other hermits stay healthy and may help her recover as well. The one thing I would add is to watch the temperature closely - your tank is at the lower end of what they can tolerate and if it gets any colder it'll be in the danger zone. We normally recommend closer to 80 degrees as the crabs will be more active and content, but Purple Pinchers can be okay in the lower 70's.