HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My poor hermit crab Hulk was pulled out of his shell this morning by another crab!! I found him naked balancing his little organs up between the glass and a wood thing I have. I ISO'd the other crab and my one poor crab found another shell. He kept it on for the day, but now he's naked again trying on many different shells. But he just can't pick one!! Please I don't know what to do! I'm keeping his organs moist and he's actually quite active but for some reason he was ATTACHED to his other shell. He loved it so much even though it was a little to small and now he won't choose another one!! Here's what he looks like in my hands :'( he's just crawling around like normal! But he's chirping occasionally, very quietly and it doesn't sound like normal crab chirping but still


My four hermies ~ Hulk, Biscotti, Sampson, and Double D <3

First things first, please fill out the emergency template so we can get an idea of how your tank is set up: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

Did you see another crab pull him out? or was he already out of his shell? He looks to be OK, just naked.
Find is old shell and look it over inside and out, then give it a good rinse. If there are any holes, anything inside that pokes, etc - that's probably the reason he ditched his shell.

if the old shell is fine offer him is old shell, a slightly smaller shell, and a slightly larger shell and then put them all together under a small container in the tank. They generally get bored of their streaking and put their pants back on when they have nothing better to do.
If it's not, then try to find one similar to his old shell to offer along with the other two

And don't forget to take a moment for yourself and breathe! The first time you have a streaker it's scary as heck. He and the shells should be cleaned with dechlorinated freshwater and then put into a clean container, as sometimes they can get really uncomfortable from debris on their tail which keeps them from keeping a new shell on.

Knibitz wrote:First things first, please fill out the emergency template so we can get an idea of how your tank is set up: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

Did you see another crab pull him out? or was he already out of his shell? He looks to be OK, just naked.
Find is old shell and look it over inside and out, then give it a good rinse. If there are any holes, anything inside that pokes, etc - that's probably the reason he ditched his shell.

if the old shell is fine offer him is old shell, a slightly smaller shell, and a slightly larger shell and then put them all together under a small container in the tank. They generally get bored of their streaking and put their pants back on when they have nothing better to do.
If it's not, then try to find one similar to his old shell to offer along with the other two

wodesorel wrote:And don't forget to take a moment for yourself and breathe! The first time you have a streaker it's scary as heck. He and the shells should be cleaned with dechlorinated freshwater and then put into a clean container, as sometimes they can get really uncomfortable from debris on their tail which keeps them from keeping a new shell on.

Thank you both! I have already done that!! The problem is that his old shell is occupied by the hermit crab that has been bullying him! I know the crab took his shell because she was wearing it, and I've seen her take his shell before. It's awful she punched him too and picks it on my hulk. He's a gentle giant. She's smaller but stronger. I ISO her frequently and have tried everything to make them get along, and they generally do, but they fight over one stupid old painted shell! I've been trying to get rid of it but they both won't leave it alone! I've offered Hulk a variety of other shells, and he's seemed to have picked one. It fits him great! but it's a bit heavy and I don't know if he'll be used to it. It's his third shell today. I boiled all the shells and washed them through with de chlorinated water and everything, so I'm just leaving him be. I just hope I don't find him like I did this morning again tomorrow morning


My four hermies ~ Hulk, Biscotti, Sampson, and Double D <3

Do you have any more turbo shells that size?