Newish Crab caretaker & new to forum

[Ditch]

Hi.

In October 2020 I was walking my 6 mo old pup along the neighborhood road while on vacation in Corolla North Carolina.
Tourmaline found what I thought was a painted rock. It looked like Sylvester the cat complete with clay molded ears and googly eyes. When I picked up the rock I realized it was a painted shell and it was occupied. I believe that the kid in the house across from us left her there as I had seen him run down to the court and back to the house shortly before they left.
Since I was not just going to leave it by the road, and I don't think winter in North Carolina is the ideal location for a hernit crab. The cat shelled crab came home with me and my dogs. Since I have 2 cats with meaningful names of Hitch and Glitch. Crab in its cat shell became "Ditch" sine Ditch was ditched by the kid in the road ditch. And I have determined that she is a she based on the pores on her legs.
When we got home first thing was get her some shells so she could ditch the cat. She tried a few before she stayed in one. Cat shell out of there! I believe she is a purple pincher and is in a shell about 1.5 or so inches at its widest.

She has a 10 gal tank. 1 side coco coir other side sand. Fresh treated water, salt treated water and food bowl. She has commercial food but likes peanut butter, bananas, and clementines the best. There is moss, fake plants for foliage some stick thing I can't remember what it is called (from cactus?) She hides under and a piece of drift. The are about 10 shells of various sizes. 3 temp/humdity gauges, a Flukers red bulb and a flukers day light bulb.
I need to increase my substrate as it is about at 3x and this forum reccomends 5x. I have a hard time with humdity as it is very dry in here but I mist several times a day. I need a better glass lid to lock in the humidity. It stays around 78 to 81 degrees F and humidity varies more like 50 to 90+.

She had been buried under her stick thing on the coconut side. But 2 days ago she came out and has been sitting by or partially in the fresh water bowl. I have been somewhat obsessively watching her and keeping the humidity up in the 80 to 90 % range. I don't want to add substrate right now if she is doing a surface molt. But it is a bit freaky that she is just standing there at the water bowl not moving much. She isn't pulled back into her shell but she isn't all the way out either. She has moved a little that I can tell. I had eggs for dinner so I could give her some egg shells. Washed with treated water.

So is there anything I should do if she is molting on the surface? No other crabs to worry about. Her color looks good.

I definitely didn't plan to get her but she is kind of cool. Definitely didn't deserve getting dumped/ditched.

Thanks,
Tourmaline, Topaz, and the human Lizz

[crabbycasey]

I wouldn’t first assume she’s molting, especially if her color looks good. Crabs don’t want to molt on the surface...I would add the extra substrate so she can molt underground when she’s ready. She might just be chillin out, de-stressing and getting used to her new environment! Maybe she likes it by the pool bc it’s the most humid spot, especially if it’s dipping that low sometimes. Just my thoughts from what you described, but I’m sure an expert (I am not) will chime in here soon!

Wanted to say good for you for saving her and taking her in. Sounds like you’ve got a good set up for her so far! Make sure her substrate is sandcastle consistency so she can tunnel safely!

Edit: Also, love the name and how you came up with it!


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[Ditch]

Thanks, for the reply.
She has seemed pretty happy/active in here for the last 2.5 months. I think I have better handle on the humidity today. Added a more solid and larger piece of glass on top to cover most of it but leaving a bit open for air exchange. I am sure my stove burners don't mind sharing their cover.

I want to add some live plants but most of mine are succulents or cacti so in contrast to the humid environment.

I have to figure out how to upload pictures as I am now questioning her color.

[crabbycasey]

They say that the crabbies will get enough air exchange when you’re changing out the food, spot cleaning, water changes, etc. You can close it up tight and keep that humidity in!

Edit: Also, you can download the Tapatalk app and load pics that way.


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