Hermit crab lost a leg while underground
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 10:31 am
I have 3 hermit crabs. One of them went underground the first day I got him on aug 4. He has been under ground ever since. And I've researched a lot to know that I shouldn't be worried. He dug next to the wall of the tank so I could see him in his cave on the other side. I check on him every so often to make sure he is alive. But today sept 6 he lost a leg. Ot wasn't an exoskeleton. It was an actual leg and he hasn't been moving much. He has been alone in his cave for a month alone as he other two never really buries. They just climb and stay on the surface a lot. They are all about two inches so they don't have much of a size difference which is why I don't think they fought. I have never and will never dig him out unless i know that he is dead.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I use eco earth. Its about 6in
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? I have a thermometer hygrometer gauge. I always keep them 75-80°F and 80% humidity.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I have an uth at the back side of the tank. I havent turned it on because its still hot but i will once it get colder.
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)?
I have fresh water and salt water. I treat it with prime and add reef crystals to the saltwater.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I give them fresh fruits and veggies and store bought for some variety. I replace it every night.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Ive had it for about a month. Its a pp.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Im not sure if it currently is.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Its a 10 gal glass tank with a screen lid.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Three. Approximately 2 inches.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? I have 7 since they are all about the same size and can pick and choose the same shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No. They are on a drawer in the living room.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I boil the stuff in the tank every two weeks and dip the plastic stuff quickly in boiling water just to clean them.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
I dont use sponges
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No
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 dont take them out or touch them except for just moving them out of the way to place their stuff back in after i cleaned them. I dont bathe them too.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
A leg fell off
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I use eco earth. Its about 6in
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? I have a thermometer hygrometer gauge. I always keep them 75-80°F and 80% humidity.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I have an uth at the back side of the tank. I havent turned it on because its still hot but i will once it get colder.
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)?
I have fresh water and salt water. I treat it with prime and add reef crystals to the saltwater.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I give them fresh fruits and veggies and store bought for some variety. I replace it every night.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Ive had it for about a month. Its a pp.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Im not sure if it currently is.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Its a 10 gal glass tank with a screen lid.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Three. Approximately 2 inches.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? I have 7 since they are all about the same size and can pick and choose the same shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No. They are on a drawer in the living room.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I boil the stuff in the tank every two weeks and dip the plastic stuff quickly in boiling water just to clean them.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
I dont use sponges
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No
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 dont take them out or touch them except for just moving them out of the way to place their stuff back in after i cleaned them. I dont bathe them too.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
A leg fell off
