HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks!


1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Eco Earth (8-10 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?
by the ground in the center. 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 85% humidity.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
a heat matt on the side of the tank.

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 available

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
i typically do fruits and veggies, egg shells, honey nut cheerios (i know they’re not the best but they love them so much i can’t take it away), tuna sometimes, honey, peanut butter etc

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
6 years, not sure species. one is purplish and two are more reddish

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I honestly cannot remember the last time it molted.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
55 gal, breeder with a mesh type lid with cling wrap on a little over half to hold humidity.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3, decent size.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
there are at least 9, but i just ordered some more larger ones as i don’t think there’s enough.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
usually fish out stuff, and then replace everything every 6 mo

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?
I just moved the tank, i got a new stand.

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 typically try to let them be as much as possible. the only thing i can think of was that today was a warmer day and my air wasn’t working that great.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

i looked over and my crab had no shell on and was walking around. my crabs are pretty active for the most part. I put him in an isolation tank with a couple of shells. He didn’t seem lethargic or anything, the opposite actually. eventually he went in a shell, then switched back to his old shell. i placed him back in the big tank but he seems very lethargic. just sort of sitting in one spot. is this okay? what should i do? should i leave him be? i’m assuming the heat and moving their tank added with new scenery/lighting may have stressed him out. i just don’t know if i should be doing more. i’ve had them for a bit and never experienced this.

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Based on the problem description I'd guess it's preparing to surface molt but you definitely have enough substrate. Is it moist enough for the crabs to tunnel into? Also 77 is somewhat cold, ideally Temps should be 80+. Keep a close eye on it and let us know if anything changes.

ROSIEonFIRE wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 14, 2022 11:42 pm

Based on the problem description I'd guess it's preparing to surface molt but you definitely have enough substrate. Is it moist enough for the crabs to tunnel into? Also 77 is somewhat cold, ideally Temps should be 80+. Keep a close eye on it and let us know if anything changes.

thank you so much for the quick response!! If it is a surface molt this there anything i should do?? the substrate appears damp to me, by there are spots that seem a little drier than others. maybe that’s my problem.

If it turns out to be a surface molt, you will need to isolate the crab. We have guides on how to do that. Definitely read those over just in case you need to get it into iso. However crabs may drop their shells for a number of reasons. To check if the substrate is moist enough for holding a tunnel I would push you finger down into the substrate and see if it holds its shape. Most of the crabbers on this forum use a mix of playsand and eco earth, which can definitely hold a tunnel. Although I have a hard time seeing how pure EE can hold a tunnel, I have heard that crabs have been kept successfully with this medium before so who know?

Also, what kind of shells do your crabs have access too? Can you share a pic? Finally, I'm wondering if their diet is sufficiently diverse. How do you provide calcium? How many types of food do you supply on a typical day?

ROSIEonFIRE wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 15, 2022 3:14 pm

If it turns out to be a surface molt, you will need to isolate the crab. We have guides on how to do that. Definitely read those over just in case you need to get it into iso. However crabs may drop their shells for a number of reasons. To check if the substrate is moist enough for holding a tunnel I would push you finger down into the substrate and see if it holds its shape. Most of the crabbers on this forum use a mix of playsand and eco earth, which can definitely hold a tunnel. Although I have a hard time seeing how pure EE can hold a tunnel, I have heard that crabs have been kept successfully with this medium before so who know?

Also, what kind of shells do your crabs have access too? Can you share a pic? Finally, I'm wondering if their diet is sufficiently diverse. How do you provide calcium? How many types of food do you supply on a typical day?

I’m not at home at the moment but i order my shells from MyGann on etsy and naples seashell company! I have various sizes ranging from 1” opening to three inch openings. I have had smaller in there and they don’t bother with them so i took it out. none that are in there are painted.

I have tried sand, and i’ve tried a mixture. When I did half sand half the eco earth they only remained on the eco earth side and when i did a mixture it just didn’t seem like they enjoyed it as much as pure eco earth. I have seen them tunnel before in EE (one did right by the glass, it was pretty cool!)

I provide calcium by adding egg shells. I do have a calcium powder that i occasionally (seldom) put on their food but they seem to do fine with egg shells. on a typical day they will have a veggie (spinach, lettuce, kale, carrots), fruit (tomatoes, bananas, strawberries, guava, fresh coconut, apples, whatever i have available), honey nut cheerios, some honey and peanut butter. Once or twice a week I add tuna to their dish. I sometimes (one every few months) will buy those canned shrimp things and add that.

He seems much more active today, i added a lot more humidity. I think my gauge must be broken.

Your tank conditions sound really good - 75-85 is a good range, so 77 is just fine.
If you are concerned that your guage is not accurate, calibrate it and see - there is a care sheet that explains how to do that.
Usually a crab will drop it's shell when it is too weak to carry it, but there are times that they might get the shell 'stuck' and need to ditch it to move, or sometimes it is unexplained. Be sure to offer some of the higher energy foods you give, like PB, honey, and fruit.
Hopefully he stays in the shell, but it won't hurt to offer a few more (you said you had already ordered). What type is he in now?

also, i keep seeing "tuna sometimes" but that is the only protein i see listed. They really need protein and calcium offered every day.

eggs are easy, any raw or cooked (no spices) meat that you are eating.

Safe Food List: https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 25&t=92557