HCA: Hermit Crab Association

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I'll put this one first and the details below.

Hi all, I have been lurking in the forums for a few months now and appreciating all the super helpful info for our little ones (Hermie and Crabby) who both made it through successful first molts. But I noticed Crabby missing and I just thought I found it--but the shell is empty! It was tucked under the 2x4 we use behind the basement sliding door so that it can't be opened--under the wood, on the rails right at the door when it's October and in the 60's T_T. We got them before we knew about painted shells, so I'm sure this is the shell, and no other shells nearby, and no Crabby in sight =C.

We just put out some fish to hopefully lure it but I'm at a loss here...I know they evacuate shells when stressed, and I imagine the cold and dryness could be enough to stress it out...but how far could it have gone? Where might it be? There was no changing shell close though there were others on the floor....might it have dragged one and still be shelled somewhere?? Holding out hope here... my wife is in tears, I'm hoping for anything at this point.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Playsand, about 8".

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, we move them around to get a sense of the gradients. Usually about 27-29*C near heat, 25* when far, and 90+% humidity

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
1 small Zoomed on the short side and a radiating heater on the long side.

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)?
Fresh and salt. Bottled water I believe at the time, instant ocean for the salt at the listed ratio on the box.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
brine shrimp, fish, fruits, peanut butter, veggies, nuts, and such. Changed every/every other day.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I believe a PP, about 4 months

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, came up just shy of a month ago.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Glass Iso Tank as both were molting, I believe 5 gal, plastic aquarium-style lid.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Iso, just the one, about a bit smaller than golf-ball sized

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
About 6 usually, but it hadn't changed after its molt. We think the one painted one it was probably forced into might have been big at the time and seemed still able to accommodate it (fully retracting, etc.)

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Spot clean daily, scooping out food, once a week check for any mold under water dishes etc.

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 plastic plant/vine thing that I'm pretty sure it climbed to escape. DW thought she'd taped the opening closed, but it seems not well enough... T_T.

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 don't think so. EDIT: We have no other pets or anything that might have eaten it....the shell was tucked securely under a piece of wood, opening facing down. I don't know how anything (mouse, etc.) could have gotten to it there.


Thank you all so much in advance...

OOOMMMGG!! We found him!!!

Unbelievable! I found him about 60 ft away from his shell, 'round a corner, through a door, in the A/C handler room where the furnace is, unshelled and on the air filter, poor thing looking sooo dry--but very much alive!! I was looking around but then stood quietly in the room and heard him scratching around--thanks for the advice!



We carried him over to his tank and set him down next to a shell that he immediately jumped into, and set him in the salt water bowl which he waded in, submerged for a few minutes before climbing out. Do you think we should place him in the fresh water?

Another crazy crab adventure, hah! Thanks for the peace of mind knowing someone might be reading and trying to help us out, though thankfully we found him quick.

I'd let him do his own thing if he's mobile enough to get around. He's not out of the woods by any stretch, but it is a miracle that he's alive. Great catch. I can't believe you were able to find him!!!

That's great that you found him. I agree with Wode, let him do his own thing if he is mobile. He will know if he needs salt or fresh water.
Keep an eye on him, in case he needs to be isolated from the other crab. Give him some good healing foods. You need to include a source of calcium daily, in addition to the foods you are giving. Also, bottled water generally should be treated with a dechlorinator such as Prime.
To clarify, do you have a separate iso tank? Or just one tank?

This story is the thing of my nightmares. I had an escape artist as well, who got out three times in less than a month, with the lid weighted down and all.

This was over the spring/summer and after the last time where she was missing for a week, I plopped her back in and just let her do her thing. She wasn't in as dire of a situation as yours, at least still having her shell, but being out for a week, I was worried. But she bounced back. I'm sure yours will do the same, so just keep a close eye and make sure he's eating his healing foods.

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 30, 2019 11:26 pm

I'd let him do his own thing if he's mobile enough to get around. He's not out of the woods by any stretch, but it is a miracle that he's alive. Great catch. I can't believe you were able to find him!!!

Neither can I! We'd turned over that wood the night before too and it wasn't there so who knows what happened when. Definitely mobile, thankfully, we'll let him be, will check later tonight when I get home what he's been up to.

curlysister wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 31, 2019 12:57 am

That's great that you found him. I agree with Wode, let him do his own thing if he is mobile. He will know if he needs salt or fresh water.
Keep an eye on him, in case he needs to be isolated from the other crab. Give him some good healing foods. You need to include a source of calcium daily, in addition to the foods you are giving. Also, bottled water generally should be treated with a dechlorinator such as Prime.
To clarify, do you have a separate iso tank? Or just one tank?

DevilNDisguise wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 31, 2019 10:12 am

This story is the thing of my nightmares. I had an escape artist as well, who got out three times in less than a month, with the lid weighted down and all.

This was over the spring/summer and after the last time where she was missing for a week, I plopped her back in and just let her do her thing. She wasn't in as dire of a situation as yours, at least still having her shell, but being out for a week, I was worried. But she bounced back. I'm sure yours will do the same, so just keep a close eye and make sure he's eating his healing foods.

Will do! He is in a separate iso tank. Forgot to mention the eggshells, since they're always there. And wow, glad she's doing fine, that's encouraging! EDIT: I thought bottled water didn't need to be treated? And any "healing foods" either of you would suggest? We left fish and mandarin for it last night.

So glad you found it!

Holy cow! That is insane! Hope your crab recovers alright, it's a good sign that he/she got into a shell right away.

Sent from my cp3705AS using Tapatalk

Here's the care sheet about nutrition, it talks about healing foods in the 'other' section, and it is also a good review of general nutrition:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 25&t=92554

I wondered if you had more than one tank, the way you described it. Do you move your crabs to iso, to molt? You don't need to, many feel it adds stress that isn't necessary. As long as you have enough sub and your tank isn't over crowded, crabs can (and should) stay in the main tank to molt.

Maddamay32 wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 31, 2019 7:48 pm

Holy cow! That is insane! Hope your crab recovers alright, it's a good sign that he/she got into a shell right away.

Sent from my cp3705AS using Tapatalk

Isn't it?! Yea I thought the same thing. Rare sight to actually see it happen, DW was fascinated.

curlysister wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:48 pm

Here's the care sheet about nutrition, it talks about healing foods in the 'other' section, and it is also a good review of general nutrition:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 25&t=92554

Thank you for that, I'll pass it on to my wife for sure. I know we have honey, vinegar and wheat germ on hand.

curlysister wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:48 pm

I wondered if you had more than one tank, the way you described it. Do you move your crabs to iso, to molt? You don't need to, many feel it adds stress that isn't necessary. As long as you have enough sub and your tank isn't over crowded, crabs can (and should) stay in the main tank to molt.

I see what you mean. Since we only have 2, when one starts to molt, we let it be and move the other to the iso tank. We did it this way with each molt out of concern for the cannibalistic tendency...when Crabbie went down first, we left them both in, but when Hermie started digging around over that spot, we moved him out.

So glad you found the little guy!!! I had a crab escape while I was on vacation, I felt so sick that the poor little guy was roaming the house for 4 days without the proper humidity and crabitat. Luckily he was fine and he is very healthy and happy now! (Other that being more aggressive toward me, everything turned out okay.) He gave me a good pinch for not having their lid weighed down so they couldn't escape!!!

SageyGoose wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 01, 2019 5:28 am

Isn't it?! Yea I thought the same thing. Rare sight to actually see it happen, DW was fascinated.



Thank you for that, I'll pass it on to my wife for sure. I know we have honey, vinegar and wheat germ on hand.



I see what you mean. Since we only have 2, when one starts to molt, we let it be and move the other to the iso tank. We did it this way with each molt out of concern for the cannibalistic tendency...when Crabbie went down first, we left them both in, but when Hermie started digging around over that spot, we moved him out.

I don't know if vinegar is safe for them to eat. I didn't see it on the safe or the unsafe food list. Maybe someone with more experience can advise.

HG, this is what it says for the 'other' group of foods on the care sheet; I have never fed it and am not really sure how you would give it to crabs though:

Other
This group is not as important as the other groups, and, in fact, is optional. These foods can be chosen to fed or they can be disregarded. The foods in this group can have beneficial factors and nutrients. This group is very diverse and contains some of the favorite foods of land hermit crabs. Some of these are great healthy treats and others, like vinegar, help with illnesses like post-purchase syndrome (PPS).
Foods of the other group include: blackstrap molasses, cuttlebone, earthworm castings, eggshell, honey, mineral supplements, oyster shell, saltwater, vinegar (with mother).

curlysister wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:07 am

HG, this is what it says for the 'other' group of foods on the care sheet; I have never fed it and am not really sure how you would give it to crabs though:

Other
This group is not as important as the other groups, and, in fact, is optional. These foods can be chosen to fed or they can be disregarded. The foods in this group can have beneficial factors and nutrients. This group is very diverse and contains some of the favorite foods of land hermit crabs. Some of these are great healthy treats and others, like vinegar, help with illnesses like post-purchase syndrome (PPS).
Foods of the other group include: blackstrap molasses, cuttlebone, earthworm castings, eggshell, honey, mineral supplements, oyster shell, saltwater, vinegar (with mother).

Thanks curly. Very interesting. So now the question. What type of vinegar? White vinegar?

I hope one of the admins can weigh in!