HERMIT CRAB CASE

[meawcat1989]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? ECHOEARTH-6 INCHES

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? 75 DEGREES- HUMIDITY 78

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? HEAT LAMP-HEAT PAD

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)? SALT AND FRESH AND APL AND INSTANT OCEAN

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? SHRIMP KRILL PLANKTON FRUIT VEGIES HONEY $20 PELLETS

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? PURPLE PINCHER 3 MONTHS

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? IDK

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 AQUARIUM MESH LID WITH DUCKTAPE

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2 AND MEDIUM AND SMALL

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 6

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? EVERY MONTH WITH STRESS COAT ZYME AND WATER AND VINIGER

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? NO

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? A BRIDGE AND NEW SHELLS

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.)?PLAYTIME BATHING

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

HCADirectors

Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: The HCA
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[Hermiearth]

What is the situation? It isn't on your template.


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[meawcat1989]

you told me to fill this out and my situation is shes been like this for 2 weeks and hsant moved on bit

[GotButterflies]

Hello! Welcome to the HCA! I replied with GB for GotButterflies

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? ECHOEARTH-6 INCHES

GB: It is 6 inches or 3 times the size of your largest crab (whichever is deeper). It also needs to be sandcastle consistency. To achieve this, you would need to moisten with either dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated fresh water. I prefer, and the HCA recommends the salt.

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? 75 DEGREES- HUMIDITY 78

GB: The care guide is a wee bit outdated. The HCA recommends a MINIMUM 80 for humidity (Hermits are modified gill creatures, and need the humidity to breathe), and a MINIMUM of 80 for temp. Surviving and thriving are two different things. Do you have digital or analog? Have they been calibrated? http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 26&t=92540

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? HEAT LAMP-HEAT PAD

GB: Heat lamps can lower the humidity in the tank. I personally don't care for them. I love my UTH. Where is your heat pad (UTH?) Us crabbers use them to heat the air, so make sure it is on the side/or back of the tank above the substrate. http://www.reptilebasics.com or http://www.beanfarm.com have great uth's that can be insulated.

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)? SALT AND FRESH AND APL AND INSTANT OCEAN

GB: Great, but you didn't mention a dechlorinator. That must be used to remove chlorine and chloramine. That burns the gills of the hermits. Most of us use prime, but you can use any product that removes chlorine and chloramine. The pools also need to be deep enough for the hermits to fully submerge in.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? SHRIMP KRILL PLANKTON FRUIT VEGIES HONEY $20 PELLETS

GB: Hermits need a lot more than that. Also, make sure your honey, fruit and veggies are organic if possible. Hermits are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.
safe list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92556
food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? PURPLE PINCHER 3 MONTHS

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? IDK

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 AQUARIUM MESH LID WITH DUCKTAPE

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2 AND MEDIUM AND SMALL

GB: I recommend 1 crab per 5 gallons. You are a bit overcrowded with a 10 gallon tank. You need to try to upgrade if you can. You can look on craigslist, letgo, offerup, bookoo, for great deals. Look up aquarium, tank, reptile, terrarium

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 6

GB: The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per crab. I recommend more. There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? EVERY MONTH WITH STRESS COAT ZYME AND WATER AND VINIGER

GB: Not necessary. Just spot clean up poo and food.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? NO

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? A BRIDGE AND NEW SHELLS

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.)?PLAYTIME BATHING

GB: Bathing is not recommended. That is an old practice and it stresses out the crabs. Same with playtime. They are prey animals, so anything larger than them is scary to them, but to each's own. When I was a kid I played with mine too. I didn't know any better. Now that I am an adult I am hands off.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

HCADirectors

Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: The HCA
Top

[LadyJinglyJones]

Agree with GotButterflies.

If your crab is not moving and you're concerned about that, try getting the temperature up to the low eighties - crab's metabolism is linked to temperature, and they become much more active at higher temps. Temps below 70° for extended periods will force a crab into a torpor.

When raising the temp, remember that it becomes more important to raise humidity too - mid eighties is where I like mine.