Two crabs bubbled, lethargic - 24 hour situation
Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2023 6:56 pm
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?
Exo earth and playsand mixed. Approx. 10-12 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?
Two gauges on the substrate on opposite sides of the tank. 79 degrees Fahrenheit, 87% humidity.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Ultratherm heater attached to the back of tank, above substrate line.
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. Instant Ocean for the salt. Drop of Seachem in each pool. Fresh water holds 6 cups of water, salt water holds 4 cups. Bubblers in both pools.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Wide variety of dried foods and mixes, mostly from Two Old Crabs. Worm castings, variety of leaf litter/scavenging items, occasionally fresh fruit or veg. Replaced every 2 days. Always at least 2 protein sources available.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Both are purple pinchers. Have had since early 2019.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
They've molted several times in my care. Recently upgraded tank in April and they have not dug down since the upgrade.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
75 gallon glass aquarium. Glass lid with hinge.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
5 crabs total. 2 large (the ones with the issue) and 3 tiny (haven't seen them in the past day, unsure if they are effected)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Plenty. 15-20 for the big crabs. About 12 for the small ones.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not that I'm aware of.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Just surface clean about once per month.
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?
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.)?
No.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Yesterday around 4 PM I noted where my two large crabs were sitting in the tank. Both were just sitting out in the open (in two separate spots in the tank), which isn't unusual for them. They are both typically very active during the day and night. Later that night I saw they were both still in their respective spots. Around 10 PM my husband said one of the crabs looked weird. I checked and they both had a small amount of bubbles on them. One had the bubbles along its side, the other right near its eyes. The bubbles disappeared very quickly. I got up around 3 AM and both are still unmoved. All of today has passed and neither has moved. One crab seems to want to move, I've seen him several times kind of push up with his legs but go nowhere. They don't respond to me coming near the tank, they just continue to sit in the same position. I tried spraying them lightly in case there was somehow something on them that was causing this. There was slight movement from both, but they didn't even retract into their shells.
Does anyone have any idea what could have caused this? Or any ideas what to do to help them? I'm an experienced crab keeper and am devastated as it feels I am just watching them slowly die in front of me. Thanks in advance.
.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Exo earth and playsand mixed. Approx. 10-12 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?
Two gauges on the substrate on opposite sides of the tank. 79 degrees Fahrenheit, 87% humidity.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Ultratherm heater attached to the back of tank, above substrate line.
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. Instant Ocean for the salt. Drop of Seachem in each pool. Fresh water holds 6 cups of water, salt water holds 4 cups. Bubblers in both pools.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Wide variety of dried foods and mixes, mostly from Two Old Crabs. Worm castings, variety of leaf litter/scavenging items, occasionally fresh fruit or veg. Replaced every 2 days. Always at least 2 protein sources available.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Both are purple pinchers. Have had since early 2019.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
They've molted several times in my care. Recently upgraded tank in April and they have not dug down since the upgrade.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
75 gallon glass aquarium. Glass lid with hinge.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
5 crabs total. 2 large (the ones with the issue) and 3 tiny (haven't seen them in the past day, unsure if they are effected)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Plenty. 15-20 for the big crabs. About 12 for the small ones.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not that I'm aware of.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Just surface clean about once per month.
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?
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.)?
No.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Yesterday around 4 PM I noted where my two large crabs were sitting in the tank. Both were just sitting out in the open (in two separate spots in the tank), which isn't unusual for them. They are both typically very active during the day and night. Later that night I saw they were both still in their respective spots. Around 10 PM my husband said one of the crabs looked weird. I checked and they both had a small amount of bubbles on them. One had the bubbles along its side, the other right near its eyes. The bubbles disappeared very quickly. I got up around 3 AM and both are still unmoved. All of today has passed and neither has moved. One crab seems to want to move, I've seen him several times kind of push up with his legs but go nowhere. They don't respond to me coming near the tank, they just continue to sit in the same position. I tried spraying them lightly in case there was somehow something on them that was causing this. There was slight movement from both, but they didn't even retract into their shells.
Does anyone have any idea what could have caused this? Or any ideas what to do to help them? I'm an experienced crab keeper and am devastated as it feels I am just watching them slowly die in front of me. Thanks in advance.
.